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"Fine. When do you need me?" she finally asks. Her tone is distant, but there's a hint of something there, a crack in her hardened facade.
"As soon as you can," I blurt out. "Right now, if possible."
She grunts in response.
"Lucky for you, I'm at home. I can be there in half an hour. But this is for Lucy, Damien, not because of you."
The call disconnects, leaving me alone in the silence of my living room. My head falls back onto the couch, my fingers clenched around my phone. I know I shouldn't have lied.
It isn’t the right way to start the conversation I need to have. But would she have even agreed to see me if I'd been honest?
I don't like lying. I hate it. But I'm willing to take the risk for her, us, and the chance at a life we could have together.
The clock ticks away, each passing second bringing me closer to the moment of truth. I can only hope that Sophie is willing to listen, willing to give me a chance to explain.
Chapter 9 - Sophie
As I walk toward Damien's house, my mind flashes back to the first time I made this journey. That time, I had been brimming with anticipation.
Now, however, my steps are weighed down with anger. I've never punched anyone, but I feel like I could now. Right in his nose, just for good measure.
I stop for a moment, forcing myself to take a deep breath, steady my trembling legs and heaving chest. I need this job. I need the extra money.
And more than that, I can't bear the thought of Lucy paying the price for her father's actions. So, with one last steadying breath, I step forward and knock on the door.
This time, Damien opens it almost immediately. His eyes are wide, awake in a way I've never seen before. There's a light there, something I can't quite decipher, but I push it aside.
Regardless of how handsome he is, how his tight black shirt clings to his broad shoulders and chiseled abs, I haven't forgotten what happened last time. Looks aren't everything.
"You can come in," he says, stepping aside for me.
I walk past him, my gaze flickering around the house.
"Where's Lucy?" I ask, needing to focus on why I'm really here.
He seems caught off guard, glancing around as if she might suddenly appear. When he doesn't answer, I press again, my tone edging on hostile.
"Damien, where is she?"
He gestures toward the couch, inviting me to sit, but I shake my head.
"I'm here to work, not rest," I remind him.
With a sigh, he leans against the wall, drawing a deep breath. I wait, my patience wearing thin.
"Lucy... she's at school," he finally says. "It's her first day. But... I needed to talk to you. I knew you wouldn't come unless there was a good excuse."
My anger flares anew. I can't believe him. He's used his daughter as bait to get me here. Just when I thought he couldn't go any lower.
"Damien, I..." I start to speak, my voice trembling with a potent mix of anger and disbelief.
But what can I really say? I've never been so furious.
My fist clenches involuntarily, preparing for a strike I hope I won't have to make. But Damien doesn't move. He stays where he is, his broad shoulders sagging slightly under the weight of his confession.
"I'm sorry," he starts, his voice shaky. "I'm sorry about… about everything!"
He takes a deep breath, looking for all the world like he's about to step off a ledge. His words tumble out faster and faster as if he's racing against time.
