The Forced Marriage: The Journey Begins

Chapter Thirty- Nine

The office was a flurry of activity when he returned, his colleagues greeting him with a mix of relief and respect. The whispers of his heroism had spread, casting him in a new light. Yet amidst the handshakes and back slaps, his eyes searched for hers—Sarah's. She felt a shiver run through her as their gazes met, the weight of their shared secret a heavy burden.

Damien eased back into his work, the familiar rhythm a comfort after the chaos of the hospital. His mind, however, remained elsewhere—with her. The nights in the hospital had been a strange limbo, a bubble of time where the rules didn't apply. Now, as the reality of the office seeped back in, he knew they had to tread carefully.

The week dragged on, the tension between them growing with each passing day. They danced around their feelings, tiptoeing on a tightrope of professionalism and burgeoning attraction.

One evening, as Sarah was about to leave the office, Jules called her, "Sarah," she began, her voice filled with urgency, "I need you to accompany Wilson to a charity gala tonight."

Sarah's heart sank. She had hoped to avoid such events, but she knew that as his wife, her presence was expected. She nodded, her voice a shaky whisper. "Okay." She hung up the phone. Watching at her contact list for a long time she sighed heavily. "I still don't have his number", she muttered.

At the Wilson Group headquarters, she found herself in the gleaming lobby, surrounded by the opulence that she had once found intimidating.

The receptionist looked at her with a mix of curiosity. "You don't have an appointment," she said, her tone more resigned than accusatory.

Sarah nodded and requested, "Can I wait in the lobby?"

"Sorry, we cannot allow that." The receptionist denied her request.

Sarah nodded and walked ahead. Just then two people walked out of elevator, laughing, holding hands and having ambiguous flirtation between them. Sarah saw the familiar figures and hide herself behind the pillar.

It was Elise Allen, and none other than her husband, Wilson Harris. The sight of them together sent a bolt of pain through her heart. Even though the truth was as clear as sky. But that sky was very far away and unattainable to her. She was the debtor in this relationship and could not ask for her freedom. Even though Wilson was forced to this marriage, he could have his way out of this marriage but what about her. She could never propose the divorce.

As they turned to the corner, Sarah took a deep breath and stepped out from behind the pillar. She walked towards the elevator, trying to compose herself. The doors slid open, revealing a group of employees chatting about their weekend plans.

After getting out the Wilson Group Headquarter, Sarah walked aimlessly in the street. Her mind jumbled with many thoughts. She felt suffocated and lost.

As she turned into a darker alley, a group of thugs noticed her, their eyes gleaming with malevolence. They approached her, leering and jeering. "Well, well, what do we have here?" one of them sneered, his breath reeking of alcohol.

Sarah's heart hammered in her chest, her eyes darting around for an escape. Her mind raced through the self-defense lessons she had learned, but her body felt frozen in fear. She clutched her purse tightly, her knuckles turning white.

"Come on, sweetheart," the largest of the thugs leered, taking a menacing step closer. "You're just what we need to liven up our night."

Sarah's mind raced, her thoughts a jumble of fear and desperation. She tried to push past them, but they blocked her path, their laughter echoing off the alley walls. A hand reached for her arm, and she recoiled, her eyes wide with terror.

And then, like a bolt of lightning, Damien appeared. His eyes were dark with anger, his body tense and ready for a fight. "Let her go," he growled, his voice low and menacing. The thugs took a step back, their confidence wavering in the face of this unexpected intervention.

The alleyway grew quieter as the sound of their retreating footsteps faded into the night. Sarah looked up, her eyes wide and brimming with gratitude as she took in the sight of her knight in shining armor. Damien's eyes searched hers, his breath ragged from the sudden rush of adrenaline. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice thick with concern.

Sarah nodded, her heart still hammering in her chest. "Yeah," she murmured, her voice shaky. "Thank you."

Damien's gaze never left hers as he stepped closer, gently taking her hand in his. "Come on," he said, his voice a gentle rumble. "I'll walk you home."

The journey through the city was a silent one, their footsteps echoing on the empty sidewalks. Sarah felt safe with him beside her, his presence a solid wall against the shadows that had moments ago threatened to engulf her. The lights from the streetlamps cast a warm glow on the pavement, the stark contrast to the cold fear that had once gripped her heart.

As they approached the mansion, Sarah felt a twinge of anxiety. The grandeur of the house had always been a prison to her, a constant reminder of her obligation and the debt she owed."Thank you," she said to Damien, her voice small. "For everything."

He nodded, his eyes still searching hers. "Always," he murmured, the promise in his voice unmistakable.