The Billionaire's Forgotten Heir

START OF EVERYTHING

HOTEL ROOM

Ms. Thompson, please show some decency. I am not the man you are looking for.

Damon's words had been replaying on a loop in Skyler's head. She shut the door tight, the doctor's and Damon's words taking turns inside her head.

Who would have known that five years ago, he had actually recovered and carried on with his life?

She could still remember the determination that burned in her eyes even after being kicked out of the Thompson's mansion.

The assurance she had, knowing he'd come looking for her once he woke up.

No one would believe her if she told them.

Not unless he was there to prove it.

She reached for a box seated on the bed and clicked it open. Inside were a bunch of letters she never got a response to.

Now she knew why. 'Cause while she was too busy hoping, he was building a life for himself.

Now she realized how foolish she had been, waiting for a man who only knew how to give false promises.

She wiped the tears threatening to fall, a look of determination crossing her face.

It doesn't matter if he was married. Once Liam was cured, she'd take him far away. He can go back to live happily ever after with his wife.

The thought hurts, but Liam's state hurts more.

Tomorrow, she will have to prove to him they had an encounter five years ago.

At the Carter's Residence,

The engagement with Victoria had ended, and the Carters were back home.

Emily, Nathan's mom, couldn't help but pass a plate of omelette towards Damon.

"You've barely eaten. Have some more," she urged.

While Damon nodded, she sat back with a smile.

"I've been thinking, you've been together with Sophia for five years now. You aren't even engaged yet. Don't you think it's time to speed things up and move in together?"

Watching him eat without an attempt at speaking, she spoke further.

"What I'm saying is, it wouldn't be right if Nathan, who's younger, ties the knot before you, would it?"

Damon looked up from his plate, his lashes casting a shadow over his eyes, enhancing his well-defined features.

He gave Emily a long look. Watching her trying to use him to secure a place for her son in the future made him want to scoff even more.

As for Sophia... he paused, putting down his cutlery. He tried to recall the foggy woman in his memory.

He thought so hard his head throbbed and couldn't help but reach out to massage his temples in an attempt to ease the pain when Nathan's voice broke out.

"That's enough, Mom. You don't have to urge him. Damon isn't fully recovered from amnesia. He needs time."

Emily shrugged.

"I'm only saying he's been with Sophia for five years now. That's enough time to get to know each other again and grow feelings, is it not? Besides, it's only fair if they got married. He was the one to make a move on her five years ago."

They carried on eating, oblivious to the sneer tugging at the corner of Damon's lips. The one to make a move?

Although the memory was foggy, Damon could tell he wouldn't just make a move on anyone without a reason behind it. Do they really think he believes whatever they had told him?

And as for Sophia... he didn't let himself delve deep into thoughts such as that again. Just now, he did, and he could feel his head tearing apart.

He left the rest of the thoughts out, recalling that frail and delicate figure which seemed matched so well with that of Sophia's.

"Her father's birthday is coming up next week. I'll announce the engagement."

Emily's eyes lit up, and Nathan tried to hide his smile.

Damon watched them with a sneer. They were too caught up in their own thoughts they didn't see him pass the plate of omelet to a server who quickly took it away subtly.

He wouldn't let this mother and son's perfect little scheme get in the way of him and Sophia. She was, after all, the first person who made him feel what he hadn't felt in ten years.

Daybreak came faster than expected. Damon, dressed in a dark tailored suit, stepped into the backseat of an Audi car, his expression stern as always.

He glanced out the window, just in time to see Nathan hurrying towards them.

"Drive," he ordered Ellis, his assistant. The young man quickly stepped on the pedal, and the car zoomed away.

"Mr. Carter?"

But Damon was too busy to care. It's already enough he has to put up with them at home. He could just say he was running late, right?

"Mr. Carter, last night we searched the entire Carter's residence. We couldn't find anything."

Eli's words caused Damon to open his eyes again, brows furrowed. He knew Emily wouldn't be careless with such a thing, but knowing he had amnesia, shouldn't that make her let her guard down?

He rubbed his temple, feeling a migraine coming on.

"Sir?" Eli's concerned voice seemed to come in, but he was already far gone again.

He let out a low groan, memories of how it all started five years ago flooding through his mind.

He should have stayed back, heck, he should have, but of course he didn't.

He could still hear Emily's voice resounding in his ears. That voice that made his skin crawl.

"Nathan is getting engaged tomorrow.

It would be nice to have his elder brother give his blessings, don't you think?"

Then she added that last part. One that he couldn't refuse.

"You know, if you make it here tomorrow, I might as well let you know where I kept your mother's ashes." Her voice dropped low at the last words.

Damon knew she wouldn't give it so easily, but he still went. Of course he did.

And that was the start of everything.

From a night with a woman whose face he couldn't recall, followed by an assassination attempt that nearly broke him.

God damnit.