Chapter 46: Deception & Lies

Angelique's POV

I watched as Damien lay sleeping beside me. He looked peaceful, but somehow troubled. I brushed my fingers delicately against his cheek as a million thoughts crossed my mind. Last night, I cheated on my husband. Somehow, I wasn't bothered by it… But now, I don't know how I should feel. Damien cheats on me all the time. I shouldn't feel guilty, right? 

Damien's hand caught mine, his eyes opening to meet my gaze. A smile graced his face as he greeted, "Good morning." He furrowed his brows in a bit of confusion. "Is something bothering you?" he asked, his tone concerned. He caressed my cheek in a loving manner, stirring something in my chest. 

"No," I replied, shifting my gaze elsewhere. 

Damien sat up, climbing over me. His actions caught me off guard, making me blush at his touch. "Your face says otherwise," he argued, pinning me down. His eyes showed concern as he pressed on the matter. "If you don't want to tell me what's bothering you, I'll tell you what's bothering me." He took a deep breath as though he was mustering courage before he continued, "I feel guilty for everything that happened lately. I should've been there for you when you needed me… I'm sorry. I cannot change it, but I can do better. Also, I'm certain that you're aware of my infidelity. Again, I apologize."

"Stop," I commanded, placing my finger over his lips. Why was he apologizing? Why the sudden change? I don't understand him… 

Damien continued, brushing my finger gently off his face. "That night that I choked you, I know that we're past that… I'm not. I put your life in danger and I almost killed you and the twins," his voice cracked, strain evident in his voice. I haven't seen this much emotion from him. He burrowed his face against my neck, muffling the words, "I'm sorry."

My heart pounded viciously inside me. I'm certain he could feel it too as I could feel his heart beating in the same rhythm. Remembering that night was painful… That night, I vowed to destroy Damien Cross for hurting me. I was pregnant then, so I assumed that the hurt I felt was heightened because of the babies growing inside me. But how come the pain—both physical and emotional—hurts even more now? It's like he's stabbing my heart all over again. 

"Stop," I repeated, my voice strained from the pain I felt in my chest. 

"You don't know how much I regret hurting you that night, Angelique," Damien confessed, his hand reaching for mine, locking them. "When I realized what I had done, it was too late. I saw the hatred in your eyes…"

Unconsciously, my hand squeezed his. I don't know why. 

He let out a groan, his breath setting my skin aflame. He lifted his head to meet my gaze, his eyes unrecognizable. "I'm exhausted," he declared, "And I don't want to play games anymore." He sat up, guiding me to sit with him. His hands reached for mine, kissing them delicately. 

I flinched at his sudden advances of affection. This must be a trap, right? A trap to fool me… 

"I shouldn't trust you," Damien states, his eyes conflicted. "So many signs are telling me not to. Your family… whispers among courtiers… your cousins… my instincts." He paused, holding my hand tighter. "Something is telling me that you would cause my greatest downfall… and yet, I have this feeling inside telling me to have faith in you."

You shouldn't trust me, Damien. Your instincts are correct. 

Damien continued, his cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "I want to trust you," he confessed, "I want this, Angelique. The feeling of longing for you… it's not the same as before." He groaned, shaking his head in disbelief. "I'm not saying this because of the baby. I can't believe it's not because of the baby."

"Don't say it, Damien," I said, my voice almost pleading. I don't want to hear it. Even if he said it, and that I knew it was false, I fear that my heart would falter and second guess myself. So please, don't say it, Damien. 

"I think I'm falling in love with you, Angelique," Damien confessed, his eyes filled with longing and his voice firm yet strained. "No, I had fallen for you…" 

I hate you, Damien. 

My heart clenched and I couldn't breathe. I wanted to run, but I was frozen in my spot. 

"Last night, your cousin, Felicity, told me that you fancied Conner," Damien continued, "I'd be lying if I said that it didn't bother me."

I covered his mouth with my hand, our gaze still locked. It was agonizing. "Stop talking," I demanded. 

Damien shook his head, refusing to comply. "I thought about everything. Believe it or not, I had. The possibilities of your betrayal… the millions of things you could do to me. How you could use these feelings I have against me…" He leaned closer, his lips but a breath away. His hands held me gently by my arms as he continued with his conclusion, "I want you, Angelique White. Do what you want with that. I'm yours."

Instinctively, our lips crashed against each other in a passionate exchange. The kiss was full of longing and emotions I never knew existed. His hand caressed my body as the kiss grew deeper. I found myself pulling him closer, refusing to let him go. Our tongues danced in sync as we explored the depths of each other's desires, losing ourselves in the intoxicating heat of the moment. Time seemed to stand still as we surrendered to the fiery embrace, our hearts beating as one in the throes of burning desire. 

"Will you grant me the chance to prove myself to you?" Damien pleaded, holding me tight in his embrace. 

I can't trust him. What if this is all an act? What if he hurts me again? What if all this was just deception and lies? But… the way he conveyed his words… the sadness in his eyes and the pain in his voice… what if he's being honest with me? 

"Please," Damien begged. 

I found myself clinging to him just as much as he was to me. "But I can't trust you, can I?" I asked, my arms tightening around him. "We can't trust each other." And should I give my heart to you, I would only break my own, knowing the fate that lies ahead of us. In the end, one of us dies. It's either you or me… 

"If I asked you to leave with me, would you?" Damien asked, stroking my back. "Far away from this mess… You, me, our children… Would you consider it?"

"I slept with Conner," the words escaped my mouth. 

What have I done? 

Damien's touch went cold as he slowly pulled away from our embrace. His eyes were as sharp as daggers, ready to pierce through me. Hatred, betrayal, and pain—those were just a few of what I saw in his eyes. He laughed hysterically, gripping on his hair. 

I was scared. My hands gripped the sheets on the bed as I sat frozen in front of him. 

Will he choke me again? No, was that enough to motivate him to kill me this time? How stupid was I? I should've bit my tongue and kept my mouth shut. 

Damien's cold gaze bore through me, sending shivers down my spine. "You're lying, right?" his voice was tainted with wrath and poison. He moved closer, making me tremble in fear. "You're not lying," he concluded, clutching his chest. "So that's how betrayal feels like…"

"I…" I couldn't find the right words to say, nor could I find the strength to run. I was like a lamb awaiting its slaughter. A trembling deer, waiting for the attack of its predator. I closed my eyes, waiting for the impact from his hand. Instead, I felt his arms wrap around me. 

Damien's tears stained my back. This was the first time… 

"Did I break your heart?" I asked, almost a whisper. Guilt and fear consumed me as I remained trembling in his arms. 

Damien held me tighter as though to reassure me. "You're trembling," he stated, dismissing my question. "Are you scared that I would hurt you? I'm sorry. It's all my fault."

Is this a dream? 

"Let's start over," Damien practically begged. "Will you give me this chance?"

"How could you say that after what I just told you?" I questioned. 

Damien replied, "Because I'm in love with you, Angelique… and I've done worse things."

"Should we do that then?" I asked, "Run away from this mess?" I found myself smiling at the idea. But I'm Angelique White… I can't just abandon my destiny. 

Damien looked down, a sad smile gracing his lips. "We're too stubborn to leave our duties and obligations," he concluded. 

"Promise me one thing, Damien," I asked, placing my hand over his cheek. "No matter what happens… if either of us dies… We'll protect our children."

"I swear it," Damien vowed, placing his hand on my cheek. 

So it's decided. No matter what happens, our children will be safe…

"Then I'm yours as you're mine," I vowed. With a tender smile spreading across his face, he pulled me closer, his touch electrifying against my skin. In a rush of emotion, I closed the gap between us, pressing my lips to his with a fervor fueled by the depth of my feelings. The kiss was a declaration of our shared commitment, a promise sealed with the heat of our passion and the warmth of our love.