Chapter 20
Damien first met Seraphine during a music club performance–she’d watched the performance from offstage.
The summer night had been filled with the sounds of chirping cicadas and the melodies from the stage. Seraphine had waved two glowsticks wildly in the air while watching the performance. Her hair had cascaded over her shoulders, and she’d worn a blue T–shirt and jeans. Her skin had almost been glowing, and her eyes had been bright. She’d looked energetic and youthful. Damien had instantly fallen for her. He’d stood behind her at the time.
She’d backed right into his arms in her excitement. She’d turned to smile at him. “Sorry. I was too excited.”
Her smile had been sweet and bright, making Damien fall even harder. He’d searched for her after that, wanting to find out her name. However, just as he’d found her, he’d had to drop out of college for two years because his family wanted to take him abroad.
When he’d returned, Seraphine had already gotten together with Jordan. He’d even heard about her ending up in the hospital because of him. Damien had lost his mind upon hearing that. He’d sought out the people who’d injured Seraphine and beaten them up despite being alone. He hadn’t stopped until they’d begged for mercy and agreed to apologize to her. He’d also prepared birthday gifts for her but had never appeared in her life.
Things had changed that year–Damien had seen Jordan propose to Seraphine. He’d decided to give up and move on. He’d drunk the night away at home, keeping the gift he’d prepared for her that year, not knowing whether or not to send it out.
One night, a client invited him to a bar for drinks. He’d been getting ready to leave after having a few, but Seraphine had suddenly descended upon him like an angel from the heavens. She’d run to him and held him, even calling him “Damo“.
Damien had been dumbstruck for a long time. He’d thought he was dreaming and hadn’t even dared to touch her, afraid he would wake up from his dream once he did.
He’d only realized it wasn’t a dream when Jordan had appeared. Seraphine had lost her memories and mistaken him for Jordan.
Damien realized this was an opportunity. At the same time, he hesitated because he knew how much she loved Jordan. He would have to leave sooner or later.
Still, he hadn’t been able to resist visiting her at the hospital when hearing she was there. She’d looked haggard, and there was no sign of her vivacity. Even her eyes hadn’t been as bright as before.
Damien’s heart had ached for her, and he’d suddenly become reluctant to let go. If Jordan couldn’t take good care of her, perhaps he would be a better choice.
He’d asked the doctor about Seraphine’s condition and learned that she would regain her memories in three months. He’d counted down the days until he had to leave. He’d brought her to all the places he could think of, hoping this would leave her with more memories of him.
However, upon hearing that she’d regained her memories, he’d started grappling with himself. He didn’t want to let her go, yet he also hoped she would be happy.
To Damien’s surprise, he’d seen Seraphine upon opening his eyes after a drunken night. She’d looked as beautiful and cheerful as she had in college, and her eyes had been filled with concern as she’d looked at him.
She’d told him that she hadn’t lost her memories. Initially, he’d been stunned. But when he’d seen how guilty she was, he’d actually been relieved. He was thankful she hadn’t had amnesia and that she’d chosen him. He was willing to do anything as long as he could be with her.
Later, Seraphine had brought up marriage. Damien had been so agitated that he’d almost been unable to speak. The answer had come swiftly, though.
They had a grand wedding–grand enough that the whole of Jeriton City knew about it. He wanted the world to know she was his.
Now…
Damien looked down at Seraphine as she lay in his arms. His gaze was tender, and he pulled her closer as he leaned down to kiss her. Choking up slightly, he said, “I love you, Sera.”
“I love you, too.” She smiled at him.
He’d gotten what he wished for, and she would be happy for the rest of her life.
