"You don't need to know my name," the voice sneered. "But you'll want to know this: if you think hiding behind some billionaire fiancé will protect you, you're wrong. Pay what's owed, or we'll come for you and your sister next."
For a moment, fear clawed at her chest, but then an unexpected laugh bubbled out of her.
"Really? That's your big threat?" Ella said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Get in line. I've got bigger problems than you."
The man growled something unintelligible, but before Ella could respond, the phone was snatched from her hand.
"Who is this?" Damien's cold, commanding voice filled the room as he pressed the phone to his ear.
Ella blinked in shock. "Damien—"
He held up a hand, silencing her.
The voice on the other end faltered. "W-Who are you?"
"Damien Calloway," he said, his tone icy. "And you're about to regret making this call. Name. Amount. Now."
There was a long pause, then the man stammered out a number and hung up.
Damien immediately dialed someone on his phone. "Transfer the specified amount to this account," he barked, rattling off the details the man had given. "And track the recipient. I want their full identity and location by morning."
He ended the call and tossed Ella's phone back to her.
"Problem solved," he said flatly.
Ella stared at him, her chest tightening. "You… you didn't have to do that."
"Part of the perks," Damien said, his expression unreadable.
Her legs felt weak as she sank to her knees, tears streaming down her face. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Damien's gaze softened for a fraction of a second before his usual cold demeanor returned. "Don't get used to it."
Ella wiped her tears, nodding. She wasn't sure if it was gratitude or humiliation making her cry harder, but she couldn't stop.
After a moment of tense silence, Damien spoke again.
"Tomorrow, I'm leaving for a business trip abroad," he said, adjusting the cufflinks on his shirt.
Ella sniffled, standing shakily. "Okay. And?"
"You'll be staying with my father for two days," Damien said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Her eyes widened. "Your father? The man who looked at me like I was an insect last night?"
Damien smirked. "Yes, him. He requested some time with you. Apparently, he wants to get to know the woman who's 'changed' me."
Ella groaned. "Great. That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen."
"It's necessary," Damien said simply. "You'll be fine."
"I doubt that," Ella muttered, crossing her arms.
Damien stepped closer, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. "Ella, remember why you're doing this. You've survived worse. Two days with my father will be nothing."
She swallowed hard, nodding. "Fine. But if he makes me cry, I'm blaming you."
Damien's lips twitched into the faintest hint of a smile. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
The next day
Damien adjusted his cufflinks as he stepped into the airport terminal, his mind already focused on the business meetings awaiting him abroad. He rarely flew commercial, but his private jet was undergoing maintenance, and he wasn't one to delay his plans.
As he approached the business-class lounge, a voice he hadn't heard in years stopped him in his tracks.
"Well, well. If it isn't Damien Calloway."
He turned sharply, his expression immediately guarded. Standing before him was Victoria Hayes, the woman he had once thought he might spend his life with—until everything fell apart.
Victoria looked as stunning as ever, her honey-blonde hair cascading over her shoulders and her signature red lips curled into a smile. She was dressed in a sleek, tailored pantsuit that hugged her figure perfectly, exuding confidence and charm.
"Victoria," Damien said, his tone clipped. "What a surprise."
Her smile widened, and she stepped closer, her heels clicking against the polished floor. "Is it really? Or are you secretly glad to see me?"
"Neither," Damien replied coldly, brushing past her.
But Victoria wasn't one to be dismissed so easily. She followed him, her voice dropping into a teasing lilt. "Come on, Damien. Don't tell me you've forgotten everything we shared. I know our breakup was… unexpected, but surely you haven't erased me from your memory."
Damien stopped abruptly, turning to face her. His gray eyes were as sharp as steel. "What we shared is irrelevant. And as for the breakup, I prefer to think of it as inevitable."
Victoria's laughter was light, almost musical, as though his barb hadn't struck. "Still as savage as ever. I've missed that about you."
Damien's jaw tightened. "What do you want, Victoria?"
She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "What makes you think I want something?"
"You always want something," he said flatly.
Her smile faltered for a brief moment, but she quickly recovered, stepping closer until she was almost in his personal space. "Fine. I'll be honest. I want us back, Damien."
Damien's brows lifted in disbelief. "Us? There hasn't been an 'us' for years."
"Maybe not," she admitted, her voice softening. "But I know you, Damien. You don't let people in easily, and I was the only one who ever got close. I know you felt something for me. You can't deny that."
Damien's gaze hardened. "Whatever I felt for you ended the moment I realized what kind of person you are."
Victoria's eyes flashed with a mix of hurt and defiance. "People change, Damien. I've changed. I've grown. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to prove it to you."
Damien took a step back, creating distance between them. "You're wasting your time, Victoria. I don't look back, and I certainly don't repeat my mistakes."
Her lips parted as if to argue, but he held up a hand to silence her.
"This conversation is over," he said firmly. "I have a flight to catch."
As he turned and walked away, Victoria called after him, her voice laced with determination. "You can't run forever, Damien. Sooner or later, you'll realize you still care."
Damien didn't look back. He didn't need to. Victoria's return was an unwelcome complication, but he wasn't about to let her derail his life—or his carefully constructed arrangement with Ella.
Back on the Plane
Seated in the business-class cabin, Damien leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes in an attempt to clear his mind. But Victoria's words lingered, stirring memories he'd long buried.
It wasn't that he hadn't cared for her—he had. But Victoria had always been about appearances, manipulation, and control. She'd been a mirror to his darker tendencies, and when their relationship had crumbled, he'd vowed never to let anyone hold that kind of power over him again.
Now, with Ella in the picture, he couldn't afford distractions. Victoria's reappearance was nothing more than a test, and Damien Calloway didn't fail tests.
AT THE CALLOWAY'S MANSION
Meanwhile Ella is already at Calloway's estate with Henry Calloway, Damein father
Ella sat at the grand dining table in the Calloway estate, her fingers tightly gripping her fork. Across from her sat Henry Calloway, his sharp gaze fixed on her as though he were a predator and she was his prey.
Dinner had been exquisite—five courses of gourmet perfection—but Ella had barely tasted a bite. Henry had spent the entire meal bombarding her with pointed questions, each one designed to test her knowledge of Damien, their relationship, and her character.
"So," Henry said, swirling his wine, "how did you and Damien meet? He's never been one for casual relationships."
Ella forced a smile, recalling the fabricated story Damien had coached her on. "We met at a charity event. I was volunteering, and he… well, he caught my attention immediately."
Henry raised an eyebrow. "Caught your attention, or sought you out? My son isn't exactly the approachable type."
Ella swallowed, keeping her tone light. "A little of both, I suppose. He was… persistent."
Henry smirked, clearly unconvinced. "Persistent, you say? And what was it about you that caught his interest?"
Ella hesitated, then decided to lean into the truth, knowing it would be more believable. "I honestly don't know. Damien isn't exactly forthcoming with his emotions. But I'd like to think he saw something genuine in me."
Henry leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing. "Genuine. That's an interesting word. You're not the type of woman I expected Damien to choose. You're… ordinary."
The comment stung, but Ella kept her composure. "I'll take that as a compliment. Sometimes ordinary is exactly what people need."
After dinner, Henry invited Ella to join him in the study, a space as intimidating as the man himself. The walls were lined with leather-bound books, and the scent of old paper and polished wood filled the air.
Henry poured himself another drink, then turned to Ella, gesturing for her to sit.
"You've done well tonight," he said, his tone casual but laced with condescension. "Most people would've cracked under my questions."
Ella smiled tightly. "I'm not most people."
"No, you're not," Henry admitted, taking a sip of his drink. "But that doesn't mean I trust you. You see, Miss Reyes, I've spent my life building an empire. My son is its future, and I can't afford to let anyone jeopardize that. Especially someone who might be after more than what they deserve."
Ella's heart raced, but she kept her expression calm. "I understand your concern, Mr. Calloway. But I'm not here to take anything from Damien—or your family. I'm here because he asked me to be."
Henry tilted his head, studying her. "And why would a woman like you say yes? You must know this world isn't easy. You're not exactly… equipped for it."
Ella met his gaze, her voice steady. "Because I believe in him. And because I'm stronger than you think."
For a moment, Henry said nothing, his expression unreadable. Then he set his glass down and leaned forward.
"You're good," he said, his tone almost grudging. "But everyone has their breaking point. Let's see how long you last."
AT NIGHT
The Calloway mansion was cloaked in silence as the night deepened. Ella sat by the window, her mind racing as she replayed the day's events. Henry's relentless questioning had drained her, but she wasn't about to let him break her resolve.
She had just started to drift into an uneasy sleep when a soft knock on the door startled her.
"Who is it?" she asked, sitting up, her voice tentative.
The door opened, and Henry stepped inside, his figure illuminated by the dim light spilling in from the hallway. He closed the door behind him without waiting for an invitation.
"Mr. Calloway?" Ella said, confusion and unease tightening her chest. "It's late. Is something wrong?"
Henry took a step closer, his gaze unreadable. "No, nothing's wrong. I just thought we should have a… private conversation."
Ella stood, her pulse quickening. "Couldn't it wait until morning?"
Henry shook his head, his voice smooth. "No, I think now is the perfect time. You see, Ella, I've been watching you. Observing how you handle yourself under pressure."
Ella's stomach twisted. "And?"
"And you've surprised me," he admitted, stepping closer. "You're stronger than I expected. But strength isn't everything. Loyalty… that's what matters."
Ella took a step back, keeping her voice steady. "I've been nothing but loyal to Damien."
Henry's lips curved into a faint smirk. "Perhaps. But loyalty is easy to claim. Proving it, on the other hand…"
Before she could respond, Henry closed the distance between them. His hand brushed a strand of hair from her face, and Ella froze, her breath hitching.
"What are you doing?" she demanded, her voice trembling.
Ella's heart pounded as Henry leaned in, his intentions unmistakable. Panic and anger surged within her as she placed her hands against his chest, pushing him back with all her strength.
"Stop!" she snapped, her voice firm despite the fear coursing through her. "I don't know what game you're playing, but I'm not part of it."
Henry stepped back, his expression unreadable. For a moment, he simply stared at her, then turned and walked toward the door.
Before leaving, he paused, his hand on the doorknob. Without turning around, he said " I suppose only time will"
And then he was gone, leaving Ella standing in the middle of the room, her body trembling and her mind racing