CHAPTER TWO- Signed Into War

Damien Blackthorne couldn’t move. His body froze, his throat locked. He stood on the stage, surrounded by flashing cameras and gasping guests, staring at the woman who once meant everything to him.

Evelyn.

Five years.

Five years since she disappeared without a word.

Now she was right in front of him, of all things, holding out a marriage contract with that same sharp smile he once mistook for love.

“Darling,” she said smoothly, her voice carrying over the stunned crowd, “I heard you're a man of time. Would you really let a beautiful woman like me wait and risk your perfect reputation?”

She rose slowly, her red gown cascading like a waterfall of fire. Damien couldn’t look away. Every step she took felt like a dagger being driven deeper into his chest.

“So,” she continued, tilting her head, “what do you say, Damien Blackthorne? Do you dare sign the document?”

He said nothing. Not yet.

Colt, his right-hand man, stood silently beside him, face stiff with confusion. Damien’s hand twitched.

“Pass me the pen,” Damien said finally, his voice low and flat.

Colt hesitated for a second, then handed it over.

Damien flipped the contract open. His eyes scanned the papers quickly, he already knew it was a trap, knew this wasn’t just about marriage. He didn’t give her the satisfaction of hesitation.

He signed.

A loud murmur ran through the crowd. Phones were raised, flashes flickered. Somewhere in the background, a woman dropped her glass.

Evelyn leaned in slightly, lips curling with satisfaction. “You just signed a war, Damien. Watch how I destroy you, little by little.”

Then she turned, walked off the stage like she’d just won a crown, and called out over her shoulder.

“Send your men to get my luggage. I’ll be staying in his house.”

And just like that, she disappeared into the crowd.

Damien remained where he was, staring blankly at the paper in front of him. His chest felt tight, but his face was unreadable. The past had returned, and it didn’t come to make peace. It came to finish what was never buried properly.

His secretary hurried over, visibly nervous. “Sir, should I proceed with the party?”

He didn’t look at her. “Cancel everything. I’m not in the mood.”

She nodded quickly and rushed off.

____

Damien stormed into his mansion like a storm unleashed.

“Colt!” he barked, already yanking off his tux jacket and tossing it aside. Colt hurried in behind him, his face taut with concern.

“Your meds,” Colt said, reaching into his inner pocket.

Damien grabbed the small case, popped the pills, and swallowed them dry. The bitterness barely registered. His head was already pounding from the public ambush and Evelyn’s cold, triumphant smile still burned in his mind.

“Send Blake to keep watch over her. Quietly. Until she’s ready to move in here.”

Colt hesitated. “Boss... if Blake shadows her, aren’t we exposing ourselves? You know the risks—”

“Do as I said,” Damien cut in coldly. “She’s more important. Also, send my men to retrieve her luggage.”

Colt was halfway to the door when his phone buzzed. One glance at the screen and his footsteps froze. He answered briefly, then ended the call with a grim expression.

Damien looked up sharply. “Spill it. I’ve had enough surprises for one day.”

“Our contract was rejected,” Colt said.

Damien’s jaw clenched. “Why?”

“No reason given. The board picked another bidder. A company called… Avielle & Co. They’ve only been active for two months, but they’ve skyrocketed, swept up three mid-tier contracts already.”

Damien frowned. “Avielle & co?”

Colt nodded. “Yeah. I didn't expect them to get picked over us.”

“Who owns it?”

“No public face yet. The name’s never been on any file. Just a legal rep handling all press and paperwork. Gender’s listed male, but... no one's seen him.”

Damien gave a dry smirk. “Him, huh?”

“Boss... you think it’s him?” Colt asked cautiously.

“Could be. Keep your eyes on that company and also Him. If he’s bold enough to step into my lane, he better be ready to bleed.”

“Understood.”

“Now you may leave. I want to sleep.”

“Roger that. Goodnight, boss.”

Colt left. Damien stood still for a moment, his eyes trailing toward the dark window. His jaw tightened. His past was catching up fast, and it had just slapped a contract out of his hand.

___

Somewhere in an upscale restaurant tucked away from the city noise, Evelyn sat with her best friend, Sophie, at a secluded table near the window. A glass of red wine rested delicately in her hand, the light catching on the rim as she swirled it slowly.

“I didn’t expect him to sign it,” Sophie said, taking a sip of her drink.

Evelyn’s lips curled into a knowing smirk as she stared out the window, then down at her glass. “I know Damien,” she murmured. “He’s pretending. That’s what he does best. He’s always been good at wearing a mask.”

She glanced at Sophie, her eyes dark with old scars. “Remember what he did five years ago? Just when I thought he loved me... he destroyed me, Sophie. Completely. I can’t forgive him for that.”

Sophie reached across the table and gently touched her hand. “It’s fine, Eve. You’re stronger now. But are you really going to move in with him? I mean... how do you plan on getting back at him?”

Evelyn set her glass down with a soft clink and leaned back in her chair. “Yes. I’ll move in. There are things I need to take care of inside those walls. You don’t destroy Damien Cross from the outside.”

She gave a dangerous smile. “You take him down from within.”

Sophie’s lips parted in surprise, then she grinned. “You’re serious.”

“Dead serious,” Evelyn said. “And thank you... for standing by me all this time.”

Sophie rolled her eyes playfully. “Always. So... what’s the plan?”

Evelyn’s smirk deepened as she pulled out her phone. “You’re about to see a new version of me, babe. One Damien won’t see coming.”

“Trust you,” Sophie chuckled.

Evelyn tapped the screen and dialed a number. The phone barely rang once before the voice on the other end answered.

“Is it ready?” Evelyn asked.

A calm voice responded, “Yes. Everything’s set.”

Evelyn leaned forward, her voice low and cold. “Good. Damien... watch closely. This is going to be fun.”