CHAPTER 21 Damien's POV The first thing I felt when I woke up was pain . A pounding headache pulsed behind my eyes , sending sharp , punishing waves through my skull . I exhaled , slow and controlled , pressing my fingers against my temples in an attempt to get rid of the discomfort . The morning light streaming through the curtains did nothing to help . If anything , it only made my irritation worse Fragments of last night slammed into me all at once - the erased footage from the nursing home , the sight of Celeste standing beside Theo Mercer like a united front , the unshaken fury in her eyes , and then the slap A muscle ticked in my jaw as I reached up , touching the lingering sting on my cheek . She had hit me . Not out of desperation . Not out of hysteria . But to protect hip . Damn A bitter taste filled my mouth , something ugly and unfamiliar twisting in my chest . I would never forget that moment , suddenly getting stripped of my dignity . Just like that . And for what ?! For that asshole . Celeste had never looked at me like that before . Not when I ignored her or dismissed her affection . Not even when I locked her away . But last night ? It was different . There had been nothing left in her gaze but coldness and fury In the past , when I was like this - when exhaustion and alcohol blurred my senses she would have been there . She would have gently taken the glass from my hands and run her fingers through my hair , massaging my temples and whispering comforting words in my ear She would have held me against her , letting me sink into her warmth , into that incomprehensible sense of peace only she could give me But this time , the warmth was gone . And all I was left with was the sting of her rejection and the unbearable silence that followed . In the end , my assistant Mark had arrived and whisked me away . But before leaving , I had stood at the foot of the stairs , waiting . Hoping . But Celeste never came down . Not even a glance or a parting word . She didn't want to see me . The realization had struck harder than I expected , settling deep in my chest like a sickness I couldn't shake I had thought that no matter how bad things got , no matter how much I pushed her away , there would always be a thread- frail , but unbroken - tying us together . But last night , that thread snapped . And I didn't know how to handle it Pushing aside my thoughts , I ran a hand down my face and forced myself to stand . My head pounded from the hangover , my throat dry as sandpaper . I didn't even remember drinking a lot , but maybe I did when I got home . I don't remember , Shit , I need a fucking shower . Some aspirin Anything to make me forget . +25 BONUS A knock on the door made me pause . Wait , not a knock . A pound . I turned toward the sound , my brows furrowing . And then the door swung open and 1 froze at the sight of my parents , standing right outside my bedroom . I blinked , half - wondering if I was still drunk or perhaps dreaming . It wasn't often they made personal visits , much less together . But here they were , both of them dressed in pristine morning attire , their expressions set in stone . My mother's eyes swept over me , dark with barely restrained exasperation . My father's were colder - sharp and filled with something I hadn't seen directed at me in a long time . Disappointment . " Damien . " My mother was was the first to to speak , her voice crisp , tinged with impatience . This has gone on long enough . " I pinched the bridge of my nose , inhaling deeply " If this is about Celeste- " This is about our family , " my father cut in , his tone steely . " And the disgrace you're dragging us into . I let out a dry , humorless laugh . " Right . Of course . " My mother's gaze narrowed . " Don't take that tone with us . We've tolerated enough of this madness . That woman- she practically spat the word , has tainted this family for far too long . It's time to sever ties once and for all . My e eyes widened . I clenched my jaw . My father exhaled sharply , adjusting the cuffs of his sleeves . " You've let yourself be humiliated , Damien . You , the heir of this family , have made a fool of yourself over a woman who not only betrayed you but is now publicly defending another man . Do you have any idea how this looks ? " I bit the inside of my cheek . I knew it had spread quickly . The gossip media wasted no time by the time I got home last night , it was already making rounds online . The whispers had probably gotten louder already by this morning - the tabloids were feeding off the scandal like vultures . The Vaughn heir , once untouchable , was now painted as a lovesick fool chasing after an unfaithful wife . " Do you understand the damage this is causing ? " my mother continued . " We can't afford any more of this … drama , " I bristled . " This drama is about my marriage " " Was your marriage , " she corrected , folding her arms . " And it's time you stopped clinging to it like some desperate fool . I thought you didn't care about that woman , anyway ! You want to salvage your reputation ? End it . " I ground my teeth , resisting the urge to snap back I had spent my entire life following their expectations , playing the perfect son , the ideal heir And yet none of it had ever been enough . And now , here they were , dictating my next move yet again . * Enough is enough , " my father said , his voice leaving no room for argument . " Divorce her now and end this scandal immediately " opened my mouth to argue " If you don't , " he continued smoothly , " you will no longer be the Vaughn heir . Som you make the right one . " " You can't be serious , " I said slowly , my voice lower , quieter . your choice . And for your sake, I hope My father merely met my gaze , unwavering . " You are my son . But I will not allow you to throw this family's name into ruin over a woman who has already chosen to walk away . " +25 BONUS I swallowed hard , my fists tightening at my sides , the anger inside me flaring up . Did he really think he could just command me again to do his bid like a child ? Before I could even snap out a response , the door burst open " Damien ! " It was Genevieve . She swept into the room with the perfect amount of urgency - concern apparent in her expression , her eyes flickering between me and my parents as if she were the only sane person in the room . " Please , " she implored , placing a hand delicately over her heart . " Let's all just take a breath . " I clenched my fists at my sides , already irritated . But my father's gaze shifted to her , his expression softening slightly My mother , too , seemed to regard her with a certain approval she had never once given Celeste . Genevieve turned toward my parents , her voice as smooth as silk . " Damien isn't acting this way because of Celeste . " She shook her head with a small sigh , as if she were disappointed in me but still willing to defend me . " You know him - he's never been the type to let anyone manipulate him , least of all her . " She turned her eyes to me , warm , understanding , almost pitying . " Damien's doing all this for himself . Not for her . My eyes narrowed . Then she sealed the deal . " Damien doesn't give a damn about that woman . " Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!