chapter 6

As we waited for the media to expose the truth, I knew I had to take extra precautions to protect myself and my loved ones. Damian's family would stop at nothing to silence us. I decided to go public with my story, to reveal the truth about Eclipse and the New Dawn project.

Rachel arranged for me to meet with a trusted journalist, who would help me share my story with the world. We met in a secure location, and I shared every detail, from my initial suspicions to the shocking evidence I had uncovered.

The journalist listened intently, her eyes widening with shock and outrage. "This is huge," she said. "We'll get this story out there, and we'll make sure the world knows the truth."

I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Finally, I was doing something to bring down Damian's empire.

But as we left the meeting, I couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched. I knew Damian's men were still out there, waiting for their chance to strike.

And then, just as we were about to leave the city, Rachel's phone rang. "It's the agent who helped us earlier," she said, answering the call.

I listened as Rachel spoke, her expression growing more serious by the minute. "What is it?" I asked, feeling a sense of dread.

"It's Damian's father," Rachel said, her voice low. "He's made a public statement, denying all allegations. But there's something more. He's offering a reward for information leading to your capture."

My heart sank. I knew I had to be careful, but I also knew I couldn't hide forever. I had to keep fighting, no matter the cost.

Damian's father, the billionaire, used his vast connections to orchestrate a clever move. He leveraged his influence to get Damian released from custody, citing "lack of evidence" and "unfair treatment."

Meanwhile, the journalist who was helping me expose the truth began to receive strange phone calls and threatening messages. Her editors suddenly became hesitant to publish the story, citing "legal concerns" and "lack of concrete evidence."

It became clear that Damian's father was using his power to silence the journalist and protect his family's reputation. I knew I had to act fast to counter his moves.

Rachel and I hatched a plan to get the evidence to a different media outlet, one that would be braver and more willing to take on the billionaire's empire. We encrypted the files and sent them to a trusted contact at an independent news organization.

But just as we thought we had outsmarted Damian's father, his men showed up at the journalist's office, demanding that she hand over all her research and notes. They claimed it was part of an "ongoing investigation" and that she was "obstructing justice."

The journalist refused, but I knew she was in danger. I had to get her to safety, and fast.

"Rachel, we need to get her out of there, now," I said, my heart racing.

Rachel nodded, and we quickly arranged for a secure extraction. We got the journalist to a safe house, but I knew Damian's father would stop at nothing to silence her.

The game was far from over. In fact, it was only getting more dangerous….

As I reflected on the events, I started to notice strange behavior from Rachel. She seemed overly interested in my every move, and her questions felt more like interrogations. I began to wonder if she was truly on my side or if she was working with Damian's father to keep an eye on me.

The journalist's sudden hesitation to publish the story and Rachel's suspicious behavior made me question everything. Were they all working together to cover up Damian's secrets?

Just as I was pondering these thoughts, I received a shocking phone call. "Damian is out," the voice said. "He's been released from custody, and he's coming for you."

My heart sank. How did he manage to get out? And what did he want from me now?

As I looked around, I saw Rachel watching me from across the room. Her expression was unreadable, but I sensed a hint of smugness.

"Rachel, what's going on?" I demanded. "How did Damian get out? And are you working with him?"

Rachel's smile grew wider. "Let's just say I've been playing both sides," she said. "And now, it's time for you to go back to Damian's house."

I felt a chill run down my spine. I had been so blind, trusting Rachel and the journalist. Now, I realized they were all pawns in Damian's game.

As Rachel's men closed in on me, I knew I had to think fast. I couldn't let Damian silence me again. But for now, I was trapped, and I had to play along.

Damian sneered at me, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "You thought you could escape me? You thought you could outsmart my father and me?"

I tried to struggle, but he held me down, his grip like a vice. I felt a wave of fear wash over me as he stripped me naked, his hands rough and demanding.

And then, he took my virginity, his actions brutal and unyielding. I felt like I was being torn apart, my body and soul shattered.

The next morning, I woke up, my body aching, my mind reeling. I knew I had to get out of there, to escape the hellhole I was trapped in.

"Pay me off," I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady. "Let's end this fake marriage. I want nothing to do with you or your father."

Damian laughed, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You think you can just walk away? You think you can escape that easily?"

I knew I had to think fast, to come up with a plan. I needed to save my mother's health, to get the money from Damian and his father. But I also knew I couldn't trust them, not after what they had done to me.

"What do you want?" I spat at Damian. "You've taken everything from me. What else do you want?"

Damian's smile grew wider. "Oh, my dear. I want everything. And I'll stop at nothing to get it."

As I begged Damian for the money, I saw a glimmer of something unexpected in his eyes - compassion. He looked at me with a hint of sadness, and for a moment, I thought I saw a different person.

"Please, Damian," I said, my voice shaking. "I need this money for my mother's health. She's dying, and I have to save her."

Damian's expression softened, and he nodded. "Take it," he said. "Use it for your mother."

As he handed me the money, I felt a surge of gratitude towards him. Maybe, just maybe, Damian wasn't the monster I thought he was. Maybe he was also a pawn in his father's game, forced to do things he didn't want to do.

I took the money and left, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that I had misjudged Damian. Was it possible that he was a soft and gentle man, trapped in a world of corruption and deceit?

As I looked back, I saw Damian watching me, his eyes filled with a deep sadness. And I wondered - was he a victim, just like me?

I took the money from Damian, my heart heavy with a mix of emotions. I felt violated, used, and betrayed. But I knew I had to prioritize my mother's health, so I used the money to treat her.

As I watched my mother recover, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. But the anger and resentment towards Damian and his father only grew.

I took the remaining money and relocated to another country, determined to start anew. But I made a promise to myself: I would return, and I would make Damian and his father pay for what they had done to me.

I settled into my new life, but I couldn't shake off the memories of what had happened. I knew I had to do something, to take action.

I sat in the doctor's office, stunned. Pregnant? How could this be? I had only been with Damian once, and it was against my will.

But as the reality set in, I felt a wave of despair wash over me. I was pregnant with Damian's child. The man who had ruined my life, who had taken everything from me, was now a part of me.

I thought about my mother, and how I had risked everything to save her. And now, I was bringing a new life into this world. A life that was connected to Damian, to his family, to the evil that had consumed me.

I felt trapped, like I was living in a nightmare that I couldn't wake up from. I didn't know what to do, or where to turn.

As I left the doctor's office, I felt like I was walking into an unknown future. A future that was tied to Damian, no matter how much I wanted to escape him.

I thought to myself, "What have I done? What have I brought into this world?"

And then, I felt a gentle touch on my belly. A touch that seemed to say, "This is a new life, a new chance."

But could it be? Could this child be a chance for redemption, for forgiveness? Or was it just another pawn in Damian's game?