Chapter 10
1275 Words
Damian stared anxiously at the unopened church door. Where was Seraphina? The guests, limited to Seraphina’s family, her maid, and Alston, all looked confused.
"Where is that girl, huh?" Feira clicked her tongue in annoyance. Though upset, she didn’t want to end up poor, so she had agreed to bless the marriage once again.
Damian's anxiety faded when Seraphina finally entered. He was stunned by how breathtaking she looked.
As she approached the altar, Damian quickly reached out his hand, but she brushed him off coldly.
Both Damian and the priest were shocked.
“What’s going on, Seraphina?”
“Our wedding is off.”
“What? Why?”
“Because I don’t need you anymore.”
“What do you mean? I don’t understand.”
“Oh Damian, are you really that naive? You think I actually regretted divorcing you?” Seraphina let out a sarcastic laugh. “If Alston hadn’t promised me a business contract, I wouldn’t have bothered reconciling with you. But I don’t have to listen to him anymore because I’ve secured a deal that’s even better than his.”
Damian froze as if doused in ice water.
“What do you mean, Seraphina?” Alston asked sharply. “What company gave you a deal besides me?”
Damn it, if she didn’t get back together with Damian, his plan to approach Elisya would fall apart.
“Marinez Corp.”
“For real?!” Feira shrieked with joy. So did Seraphina’s sisters, Alexa and Karina.
Alston looked stunned. His family had tried for decades to secure a deal with Marinez Corp—and failed every time.
Alston’s expression softened. He didn’t need Elisya anymore. “You’re amazing, babe. I can’t believe you pulled it off. I’m sorry I dumped you for Elisya, that arrogant woman. Now I realize you’re smarter and better than her. Can you forgive me?”
“Of course, honey. After all, once I’m partnered with Marinez Corp, everyone will be talking about me. What would they say if I was with a loser like Damian?”
Alston chuckled mockingly. “You’re right, babe. Damian’s better off as your driver than your husband.”
“My daughter is so clever! We need to celebrate tonight!” Feira exclaimed proudly.
“I want to eat at Elisya’s restaurant. I want her to see this. Once my deal with Marinez Corp is official, I’ll convince Darwin to cancel their contract.”
“Great idea, sis,” her younger sisters chimed in.
Then they left, abandoning Damian and the priest.
The old man patted Damian’s shoulder sympathetically. “I hope you can endure this, son.”
Damian didn’t reply. He stood frozen, fists clenched. For the first time in his life, he wanted revenge.
---
Elisya frowned in confusion when she saw Seraphina, Alston, and her family happily eating at her restaurant.
Fuming, she approached them. “I can’t believe you betrayed Damian again just two hours after your wedding.”
“Wedding?” Seraphina scoffed, dabbing her lips elegantly with a napkin. “Who in their right mind would marry that loser?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I called it off. He’s not worthy of me. Soon, Sanchez Corp will rise again.”
“Really? You sure about that?” Elisya mocked. Despite her anger, she felt genuinely sad for Damian being cast aside again. “Alston’s family is also on the verge of collapse. Didn’t he tell you?”
“No. Not him… Marinez Corp.”
Elisya’s eyes widened.
*Marinez Corp?*
It hit her like lightning. Could it be Damian? Darwin wouldn’t take such a risky investment on a near-bankrupt company.
“Why do you look so shocked? Are you jealous?” Alston sneered. “Soon, Seraphina will be your equal—maybe even better. Be careful around my fiancée’s brilliance.”
They burst out laughing.
Elisya stormed off and called Darwin to confirm.
“It’s true. Damian asked me to do it. Why, dear?”
Elisya felt her world crumble. Tears rolled down her cheeks before she realized it. Why would Damian still help Seraphina after she dumped him—*twice*?
“I want to ask you for something, Uncle.”
“What is it?”
---
Damian entered the grand and luxurious Marinez mansion.
“Damian.” A firm voice made him stop in his tracks.
“Dad? Shouldn’t you be resting? Why are you out here?”
Darwin closed the magazine he was reading and looked at Damian, disappointed. “Did you and Elisya have a fight?”
Damian was stunned. How did Darwin know? Did Elisya complain? No—she wasn’t the type.
He didn’t know what to say.
“She suddenly asked me to cancel the deal without a clear reason. That’s not like her. She always thinks things through.” Darwin sighed in concern. “I’m worried about her.”
Damian felt guilty. Elisya must have done it out of heartbreak.
“Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll handle this.”
“Excuse me.”
Damian hailed a taxi and headed for Elisya’s mansion. On the way, he tried calling her repeatedly, but she didn’t pick up.
“What should I do?” he murmured, full of regret. He swore he’d never take Elisya for granted again.
“Sorry to interrupt, dude,” the taxi driver, a laid-back guy in his late twenties, cut in. “Sounds like you’re having girl troubles. Fighting with your girlfriend?”
Robin glanced in the rearview mirror, curious.
For the first time, someone started a conversation with him. Damian gave a stiff smile. “Yeah, something like that.”
“You seem like a rookie in love. As your senior, let me give you some advice on how to win back an angry woman.”
Damian leaned forward, intrigued. “What is it?”
“First, give her a gift when you apologize. It’ll show how sorry you are. Some women see gifts as proof of your sincerity.”
Damian nodded thoughtfully.
“If that doesn’t work, surprise her with a romantic dinner. Doesn’t have to be expensive. If she truly loves you, she’ll appreciate your effort more than the price.”
“I see.” Damian nodded again, committing the tips to memory.
“Your girl’s lucky to have a guy like you,” Damian said, genuinely impressed.
“I don’t have a girlfriend.”
Damian almost laughed but held it in. “Why not?”
“Women these days only care about what’s in a man’s wallet,” Robin replied with a casual laugh that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Damian felt sympathy. He’d been there too.
“And when they find out I’m just a cab driver, they bolt,” Robin added, still chuckling, though his eyes showed pain.
Damian grew even more remorseful for hurting someone as kind as Elisya for someone like Seraphina.
“I’ll try the first tip.” Suddenly, Damian spotted a jewelry store. “Can you stop here?”
“Are you sure?” Robin hesitated. “Not judging you or anything, but dressed like that, I don’t want you getting accused of stealing or something.”
Damian chuckled. “Don’t worry. My boss asked me to pick up a piece he ordered—not for my girlfriend.”
“Oh, okay then.” Robin looked relieved. “I’ll wait here.”
Damian entered the store, still in his black tuxedo.
“May I help you, sir?” a beautiful woman greeted him with a warm smile that made her eyes crinkle.
“Wait a second… Are you Damian?”
Damian froze when he heard her voice.
- Writer
