The Billionaire's Lost Flame

g. The burly men who restrained her released her, and she stum

inst her ribs as she fought to steady her breath. Then a

stormy grey ones. Although they were unreadable and calcul

feat even more sinking, as he knew

liberately and slowly. Then,

low

etween relief and fear. Seconds later, sounds of clicking

't d

ntorted into panic and her v

t worth

amien who stood by the window, his hands tucked into his poc

ion team stood ready

smoothly, his voice

hreat was clear: i

before moving towards Damien, each step heavier than the last. They walked up the stairs, throu

kshelves were empty, the paintings stripped from the walls. The only thing left

atherine said, her voice barely over

what seemed like eternity the room as he simply w

d, interlocking his f

it ag

kipped, and her bro

s he leaned into the chair. "I want you to say it again, Katheri

apped, narrowing her eyes. " I alread

"Whether you like it or

his voice dropped lower. "

ide screamed at her to walk away, to wipe that smirk off his

Not if she wanted

nhaled sharply, forcing

y you, Damie

his gaze, amd she wanted nothing m

" he m

all. Within minutes two men entered the office. One of them she recognis

lawyer. He has the

's breath

k briefcase on the desk. With practiced precisio

t one year, during which you will uphold the terms set by Mr. S

ons, so her museum remains untouched. Ten years ago she would have bee

oice broke thr

ss Anderson, please sign

and her gaze moved from the paper to Damien, His expressi

igning first?"

tated, but Dami

ignature the on

father's pale, fragile face in his final days, the endle

e paper. The ink felt heavier than it should,

red against the desk, the sound final and irrevocable. Damie

te was

. Sullivan." the lawyer sai

e moment felt surreal, like she had just

ien. "Shall I process th

ifting his attention to the other man, he ord

nodded, disappeari

nto silence. Katherine exhaled shakily, a tremo

r, or so s

iffany stormed in, her fac

, eyes scanning her face frantically. "Tell me

detached, as if she were watching

Kat, why aren't you saying

ard Damien, fury rising in her chest. He strolled toward them, ra

ce a lazy taunt. "Aren't you

rm snaked around her waist, p

hing foreign sh

sensation she didn't understand, didn't want to acknowledge, crept up her spine.

ened in horror as

smirk d

r waist tightened, and he leaned in

to me, Mrs