The CEO's Challenge

Chapter 19: The Promises

A few days have passed and I'm trying to focus on work, to push the questions and doubts swirling in my mind to the back burner. But it's hard, especially when Damien isn't in the office, as usual.

I try calling him a few times throughout the morning, but he doesn't pick up. I send a text, asking if everything is okay, but I don't get a response right away. Hours tick by, and still no word from him.

I'm starting to get worried. It's not like Damien to ignore my messages, especially when I've tried reaching out multiple times. Is he busy with a client? Did he forget to charge his phone? Or... is he avoiding me?

Finally, just as I'm about to send another text, my phone buzzes with a incoming message. It's from Damien.

"Hey babe," the text reads, "I'm a bit busy right now. I'll call you later, ok?"

I stare at the message, feeling a mix of relief and frustration. Busy? With what? And why couldn't he have just said that in the first place, instead of leaving me hanging all day?

I type out a response, trying to keep my tone light and casual. "No problem," I write, "just let me know when you're free. Love you."

I hit send and toss my phone onto my desk, trying to focus on the task in front of me. But it's hard to concentrate, with Damien's brief text echoing in my mind.

Is he really that busy? Or is he hiding something from me? The questions swirl in my head, taunting me with possibilities I'm not ready to face.

I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I can't let my imagination run wild, can't let the doubts and fears consume me. I need to trust Damien, to believe that he's telling me the truth.

But as I try to lose myself in work, I can't shake the nagging feeling that something's not quite right. And until Damien explains himself, until I get a straight answer from him... I don't think I'll be able to put my mind at ease.

"We're here for you, Nova," he says. "Whatever you need, whatever you want... we'll support you through this."

I nod, blinking back tears. I don't know what I need, don't know how I'm going to get through this. But I do know one thing. I love Damien, even if he's made a mistake.

"Nova, we know this is a lot to take in," his dad says, his voice gentle and understanding. "But we need to think about what's best for everyone involved here."

I nod, my mind reeling. I know he's right, know that this situation is bigger than just me and Damien. There's a baby involved now, a child that needs to be taken care of.

"Veronica and the baby... they need Damien," his stepmom chimes in, her tone firm but compassionate. "They need his support, his love. And as much as it may hurt, as much as you may want to keep him for yourself... you need to think about what's best for that child."

I feel a lump form in my throat, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. I know she's right, know that no matter how much it hurts, I can't stand in the way of Damien and his responsibilities as a father.

"I understand," I whisper, my voice cracking slightly. "I do. It's just... it's so hard, you know? I love him so much, and the thought of letting him go... it breaks my heart."

His dad nods, a look of sympathy on his face. "We know, Nova," he says. "We know how much you love him, how much he loves you. But sometimes, love isn't enough. Sometimes, we have to make sacrifices for the greater good."

I take a deep, shuddering breath, trying to process everything they're saying. They're right, I know they are. But that doesn't make it any easier to accept.