Chapter 21
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Damien’s POV.
I sat in my office chair, staring at the computer screen without really paying attention to what was there. The work that I could usually finish in a matter of minutes now seemed boring and uninteresting.
I glanced at the clock on the wall. This day felt longer than usual and even made me feel very uncomfortable. Since Althea’s departure, my life really feels empty.
Just as I was about to refocus on the report in front of me, the sound of some coworkers entering the room distracted me.
“I just got something interesting,” said Jordan, one of my coworkers, waving a gold–colored card.
I only gave him a quick glance. There was nothing exciting for me today. For over two years, everything had been quiet and unable to excite me. I really missed Althea. It was all because of that damn woman that I lost the woman who always gave me endless attention, even willing to wait for me without certainty..
“What is it?” someone asked.
Jordan chuckled and replied, “A wedding invitation.”
“Who? Is one of our colleagues here?“.
Lignored their conversation and went back to staring at the computer screen, but then Jordan mentioned a name that made my chest instantly tighten.
“Althea Callister.”
My pen–wielding hand halted in mid–air.
I slowly raised my head. “What?”
Jordan didn’t notice the change in my tone and casually raised the invitation higher. “Althea’s getting married. I’m sure some of us got the invitation because we used to work with her.
I stared at the invitation intently. Althea’s wedding? Even I could hear each one of them giving guesses as to whether they were among the people Althea would invite.
No, they weren’t. This must be wrong.
“Althea? Who is she getting married to?” I asked, my voice lower than I intended.
Jordan turned to another colleague and replied, “Caius Leclair. You know, he’s that successful businessman from Switzerland.”
Caius Leclair. The name felt like a blow to my chest.
I clenched my fist under the table. So, she really left and now, she’s going to marry another man? Forgetting about me just like that? No wonder I couldn’t find her. Turns out she’s overseas. How annoying! It’s so easy for her to turn her back.
I tried to deny what I had just heard, but the invitation was clear evidence. Althea had really
Five Years, Without Meaning
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13:08 Wed, 28 May GWG.
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moved on with her life without me. It seemed impossible. I knew Althea loved me very much.
“Give it to me. I want to see it,” I said, reaching out to see for myself. I was sure Jordan was wrong. Althea’s name was not just one, but many.
Jordan blinked then, handing the invitation to me without hesitation. I grabbed it quickly and stared at it intensely.
The names of the bride and groom were there.
Althea Callister & Caius Leclair.
The date, venue, and details of the wedding were clearly printed.
I felt as if my world was spinning. This wasn’t just ordinary news, this was reality hitting me right in the face.
I squeezed the invitation involuntarily. Althea was really getting married to another man.
How could that be?
I stared at the name again, hoping it was an illusion or a misprint. But it wasn’t. This was real.
“I didn’t realize she already had a fiancé,” Jordan said again, sounding amazed. “I thought she was still-”
I didn’t listen to the rest. My head was filled with one thought, I had to find her. I had to question her about this. I have to seduce her. I’m sure, she’s waiting for me to apologize and take her home. She’s just plain angry and deliberately made a joke like this, so that I would meet her.
I stood up suddenly, making my chair slide back with a squeak.
Everyone was staring at me, but I didn’t care.
I walked out of the room without saying anything.
My steps were quick, my breathing heavy. My brain tried to process everything, but my chest felt tight.
I had to see her. I didn’t know where I was going. I just knew that I couldn’t sit still after hearing this news.
Althea, I’m coming. Coming to take you back to our home.
Chanter 21
