CHAPTER 30

If I were to tell Damon, he'd still stick to his guns, that's just his domineering nature. His domineering personality wouldn't let him give up easily if he can't have Ariel. And if I were to tell Ariel, it wouldn't change a thing either. She'd probably be flooded with guilt and wouldn't be able to face me, only reinforcing her evasion and rejection of Damon. And that might just trigger Damon to do something drastic. As for Joshua, he's no match for Damon. What good would it do to tell him? The best he could do is hang out with me to make Damon jealous and help me find some sort of emotional balance, right? I've thought about all the possibilities, but the endgame remains unchanged. "So why are you telling me all this?" Jones's voice echoed again. "You know now, I wasn't kept in the dark by Damon. I'm willing to divorce him, but it's Damon who isn't," I said with a hint of bitterness. "I hope you won't try to persuade him anymore." Jones knew better than anyone how deep my love for Damon ran. He grew up with Damon and witnessed my decade-long crush on him. Hearing me say these things seemed to throw him off, "Are you sure?" I nodded firmly. "I'm sure!" Jones stayed silent for a while. I wasn't sure what he was thinking until we parted ways, and he said, "It's good that you've come to terms with all this." I used to be so obsessed, thinking that as long as I loved Damon deeply, he would eventually respond. Jones, being an outsider, knew all too well that this marriage was all one-sided from end. On my way home, I felt an unprecedented relief. Finally, someone knew I had let go of Damon. I hummed a tune, took a relaxing bath, and went to sleep. I had to go home early the next morning for my dad's birthday. After preparing the gifts, I texted Damon, "Don't forget to come over to my place today." This time last year, Damon didn't show up. I made up an excuse for him, saying He probably won't come today either, but I don't want to cover for him any "Happy Birthday, Dad!" I hugged my dad as soon as I got home and gave him a peck. My mom watched from the side and said, "Why are you ,Of course! What do you think I pay my housekeeper for?," " too busy with work. SO Have you had breakfast?" with a laugh, sitting down on the couch with my arm around my dad. "Where's Damon?" My dad looked at the door, saw no one else coming in, and immediately frowned, "He's becoming more and more disrespectful!" I awkwardly smiled and said nothing. Normally, with my dad's status, there would be many people coming to celebrate his birthday. But my dad is an upright person who doesn't care for such things. He only celebrates his birthday with his family at home. I'm his only daughter, so naturally he hopes that his son-in-law could also come to make the day a bit more lively. To his disappointment, Damon didn't show up this year! Just as my parents started complaining about Damon, I saw a tall figure at the door, holding a gift. I quickly covered my dad's mouth, "Dad, Damon's here." I interrupted my dad. He glanced at the door, looking a bit embarrassed. "Damon, come in and sit down," my mom came out of the kitchen, looking delighted at Damon's arrival. Damon responded with a polite smile, "Sorry I'm late." He sat down across from my dad and me. He wore a gray striped vest and shirt, looking very handsome. "Happy birthday, Dad. I got you something." Damon placed a gift on the table, which appeared to be a box of coffee beans.

My dad is a government official, so luxurious gifts wouldn't be appropriate. He likes coffee, and Damon was clever to remember his preference. In front of Damon, my dad decided not to open the package right away and simply said with a smile, "I'm happy enough that you could come, why bother with a gift?" I rarely visit because I'm busy with work. If I came empty-handed on your birthday, it wouldn't be right." Damon can be aloof, but he knows how to talk. Since my dad also has business dealings with him, he wouldn't be too arrogant, nor would he show his arrogance in my house. Damon's shrewdness was ingrained in him, so it was quite shocking when he was willing to fall out with everyone for Ariel. My dad brushed it off, "Don't say that. A man should prioritize his career." I found these two men's insincere banter amusing. They seemed to have a good time, soon shifting the conversation to business. I found it boring and went to the kitchen to help my mom. At noon, a table full of delicious food was served. We sat together, eating and chatting, it felt like a dream. Shortly after we finished eating, my dad received a call, "I appreciate the gesture! I just had lunch, but I appreciate your intentions".

"Alright, alright, I'm coming" I don't know what was said on the other end, but my dad looked both helpless and pleased. After hanging up, he said to us, "My secretary found out it's my birthday and organized a dinner with some people from the department. I have to go" My dad said, "Then go, they mean well." My mom nodded, "Damon, I have to leave. You should stay a while longer" Damon responded, "Sure, Dad" After my dad left, Damon didn't stay long. He said goodbye to my mom, claiming he had to go to the company As soon as I heard that, I followed him out and hopped into the passenger seat of his car

"What are you doing?" Damon asked coldly "Give me a ride." I answered cheekily while buckling my seatbelt. My car was in for maintenance and calling a cab was a ha ssle Damon pursed his lips and looked at me with displeasure. He clearly didn't want to give me a lift, but he also couldn't just kick me out and leave me at my house. In the end, he went along with it and drove me back to Starlight Estates. In the car, I caught a faint scent that reminded me of Ariel. Did she sit in the passenger seat this morning? Didn't she say she would cut off contact with Damon? Why is she meeting him again? I was deeply puzzled, something felt off. Did Joshua really get betrayed by Ariel? Given Ariel's personality, there's no way she'd fall for Damon that quick. Otherwise, why would Damon be so head over heels for her in my past life? It's usually when you can't get something at first that you realize how much you want it, and then slowly fall madly in love. I grabbed a lipstick from my bag and slipped it quietly into the slot next to the seat, then reclined the seat back a good notch. If Ariel ever gets back in Damon's car, she'll definitely adjust the seat and find that lipstick. "I'm gonna take a nap," I squinted my eyes, casually crossed my legs, and then shut my eyes to take a nap. Damon didn't respond, and the car was quiet. Then, his phone started to ring. He glanced at me and picked up the call without a second thought.