Chapter 11 - Ghosts from the Past

The night before their engagement party, Eve stood on the balcony of Damian's penthouse, staring at the city lights.

Everything should have felt perfect.

She had finally said yes.

She had finally stopped running.

But something felt… off.

She turned as Damian stepped outside, his presence commanding as always. "You're thinking too much," he murmured, pulling her into his arms.

Eve smiled slightly. "Can you blame me? Tomorrow, the whole world will know about us."

Damian smirked. "Let them."

She sighed, resting her head against his chest. But just as she was about to speak, Damian's phone vibrated.

He pulled it out, glanced at the screen then went completely still.

Eve frowned. "What is it?"

He didn't answer.

Instead, he turned the phone around, showing her the name on the screen.

Vanessa Voss.

Eve's stomach dropped.

His ex. The woman who once had a dangerous hold on him. The woman who knew secrets about his past that could destroy him.

"She doesn't matter," Damian said, but his jaw was tense.

Eve nodded slowly. "Then why is she calling?"

Before Damian could respond, there was a sharp knock at the penthouse door.

They both turned.

Eve's heart pounded.

Something wasn't right.

Damian walked over and opened the door.

And then

Eve froze.

Standing there, dressed in a sharp suit, was a man she never thought she'd see again.

Her ex.

Nathan Pierce.

The man who had once broken her heart.

The man who had ruined her life.

The man who, for some reason, was smirking at her like he had already won.

Damian's body went rigid beside her.

Vanessa's voice came through the phone, smooth and dangerous.

"Miss me, Damian?"

Eve's breath hitched.

And in that moment, she knew

Their pasts had just come crashing into their future.

And nothing would ever be the same.

The Game Begins

Nathan stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, his sharp eyes sweeping over the penthouse. "Nice place," he mused. "Then again, you always did have a taste for powerful men, Eve."

Damian's entire body tensed beside her, his fists clenching.

Eve's pulse pounded. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Nathan smiled. "Come on, sweetheart. No need to be so cold." His gaze flicked to Damian. "I just wanted to see the man who thinks he can replace me."

Damian let out a dark chuckle. "You overestimate your importance."

Nathan ignored him, turning back to Eve. "I made a mistake, Eve. Leaving you was the worst decision of my life." His voice softened, laced with false regret. "I've changed. I want you back."

Eve's breath caught.

Damian stepped in front of her, his presence a wall of dominance. "She's not yours to take back," he said coldly.

Nathan smirked. "Let her decide that."

Eve stared at her ex the man who had broken her heart, used her, and walked away without a second thought. And now, he had the audacity to act like she belonged to him?

Rage burned inside her.

"There's nothing to decide," she said sharply. "I love Damian."

Nathan's smirk faltered for a split second, then returned. "Do you?" He took a step closer. "Or are you just convincing yourself that you do?"

Damian moved so fast that Eve barely saw it coming his hand shot out, gripping Nathan by the collar.

"I suggest you leave," Damian said, his voice dangerously low.

Nathan chuckled. "Hit me, Blackwood. Show her exactly the kind of man you are."

Damian's grip tightened, his fury barely restrained. But then,

Eve touched his arm.

"Damian." Her voice was soft but firm. "He's not worth it."

Damian's muscles tensed, then, with a sharp exhale, he shoved Nathan back.

Nathan straightened his suit, smirking. "I'll be around, Eve. When you finally realize you're making a mistake I'll be waiting."

And with that, he turned and walked out.

Eve let out a shaky breath, but before she could speak, Damian grabbed her waist, pulling her against him.

His eyes burned into hers.

"Tell me you don't believe him," he demanded.

She cupped his face. "I don't. I love you."

Damian's jaw clenched, but then he crashed his lips against hers, his kiss fierce, possessive, claiming her all over again.

But even as she lost herself in him, a shadow of doubt lingered.

Nathan wasn't done.

And neither was Vanessa.

Their past wasn't finished with them yet.

A New Beginning?

The private jet soared through the night sky, leaving the city and all its dangers far behind.

Eve sat beside Damian, staring out at the clouds, her mind still spinning from everything that had happened.

Nathan's manipulation.

Vanessa's sudden return.

It had all been too much.

So Damian had made a decision.

"We're leaving," he had said. "No warnings. No explanations."

And just like that, they were gone.

She turned to look at him now, his strong profile illuminated by the soft cabin lights. He was staring at his phone, his jaw tight, his grip firm.

"Damian?" she murmured.

He exhaled, setting the phone down. "Nathan's already trying to dig into our whereabouts."

Eve tensed. "How?"

"Connections," he muttered. "But he won't find us." He turned to her, his gaze softer now. "I won't let him."

Eve reached for his hand, squeezing it. "I trust you."

His eyes darkened, something unreadable flickering across his face. Then he pulled her closer, pressing a lingering kiss to her temple.

"You should rest," he murmured.

Eve nodded, leaning against him, allowing herself to breathe.

For now, they were safe.

For now, they had escaped.

But deep down, she knew.

Nathan and Vanessa weren't done with them yet.