Chapter 121: Forever My Choice-2
But inside the house, that was the rule. Outside, they let the man take the lead-it’s about respect, about appearances, about keeping balance. It’s a world of roles, of hierarchy… but behind closed doors, my mother’s word carried the weight.”
He paused, eyes drifting for a moment, then gave a small, almost ironic laugh. “When I took over the company, she started worrying about me.” His lips curved into a wry smile, a soft chuckle slipping out. “In fact… she still does.”
His expression sobered, voice lowering. “She said I’d end up too cold. Too ruthless. She wanted me to learn softness… balance. Every time we see each other, without fail, she reminds me. She tells me I should marry someone simple. Someone outside our world of money and power. A woman with a kind heart, a pure soul. Status doesn’t matter-money doesn’t matter. Those things I can provide. But kindness… purity? That’s something no amount of wealth can buy.”
Maya listened quietly, her chest tightening as his voice dipped even lower. His words struck something deep inside her, an ache she couldn’t quite name. Someone simple… someone
pure.
Her lashes lowered, hiding the flicker of doubt in her eyes. Was that what he saw in her? Or was she still too far from what his mother imagined-too scarred, too complicated, too
ordinary?
She forced a soft laugh, but it came out thinner than she intended. “Sounds like your mom knows exactly what she wants for you,” she murmured, trying to sound light even as her throat tightened.
“In fact…” Damien’s voice faltered, hesitating for the first time. His gaze shifted away, as though weighing whether to say it aloud. “My mother has a friend. A very dear friend-she’s always called her the sister she never had. This friend has a daughter… your age, actually. About ten years younger than me.”
His jaw flexed, a faint sigh slipping through. “For years, my mother’s been encouraging me to meet her. To… build a connection. But the truth is, she hasn’t seen this friend in over a decade. Ten years, maybe more. Every now and then she’ll get a call-weddings, pregnancies, children being born. Big milestones, nothing else. No visits, no address, no way to find her. Just… a distant voice on the other end of the line.”
He raked a hand through his hair, eyes lingering on the food gone cold in front of him. “She’s away now, following up on some lead. Been looking for this friend for years.” His voice dipped, quieter, almost thoughtful. “It has been seven years since she last heard from her. I
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never asked too many questions… but I know one thing-whoever this woman is, she means a great deal to my mother.”
Maya blinked, her fork stilled on the rim of her plate as his words settled between them. A small, unfamiliar ache fluttered in her chest-part jealousy, part something softer. She forced a laugh that came out thin.
“So… your mom wants you to be with her friend’s daughter?” she asked softly, her voice almost too casual, betraying the knot forming in her chest.
Damien’s eyes found hers instantly, steady and calm. He shook his head slowly. “Not like that,” he said. “Well… somewhat. She wants me to meet her to try to build a connection. She’d prefer it, yes. But she’s never been one to tell me who I must be with.”
He reached across the table and covered her hand with his, thumb brushing a slow, reassuring circle over her knuckles. His voice dropped, warm and sure. “Are you worried, love?” His voice dropped, rich and steady. “Do you really think I’d ever let anyone-not even my mother-decide who I belong to?”
Maya stared at their joined hands, his steady warmth easing the knot in her chest. She drew in a shaky breath, exhaling with a soft laugh that carried more fragility than humor. The jealousy didn’t vanish, but it dulled, edged out by the comfort of his touch and the weight of his promise.
“1-” she started, then faltered, her lips curving into a small, uncertain smile as her gaze dropped. “It’s just… your mom. She might not…” Her voice thinned, almost breaking. “…she might not accept me.”
Damien’s gaze softened instantly. He reached across the table, lifting her chin gently so their eyes met. “Maya… listen to me.” His thumb brushed lightly across her cheek, steadying her. My mother doesn’t decide who I care for. She can have her preferences, her ideas-but what matters is what I choose. Who I love. What matters… is us.”
He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “It doesn’t matter what anyone says… or what the world thinks. The only thing that matters to me is you-what you think, what you feel, what yo u want. You’re exactly what I want. I will choose you… always.”
Maya’s chest swelled with a mix of relief and lingering doubt. She exhaled shakily, her lips curving into a small, vulnerable smile. “I… I just… from the very start, my scars, my baggage… they’re my insecurities. I’m scared of being seen. I’m scared of complications,” she admitted softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m scared that… I’ll never be enough for your world.”
Damien cupped her cheek gently, his thumb brushing softly across her skin. She leaned into his hand, eyes locking with his, searching for the truth in his gaze. “Listen to me, love,” he
murmured, voice low and steady. “I love your scars, your baggage-every part of you. Everything I do is to build a world where you feel safe, where you belong. I want a future with you. From the very beginning… I always have, and I always will.”
He leaned forward, pressing a tender kiss to her lips. “You are… and will always be… my forev er choice, Maya.”
Her chest tightened, warmth blooming from the center outward, and for the first time, she let herself truly exhale. She let herself believe it-because she could feel it, deep in her bones. For the first time, she truly belonged, and his love made it real.
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.