Chapter 18
Damien stood on a street along Fifth Lane in Dunmoor. Tiny snowflakes drifted onto his shoulders, only to melt away moments later.
He looked up at the giant billboard for fashion week not far away, where Juliet’s name was displayed in bold letters.
Back home, everything was still unresolved. There were questions from his parents, relentless pressure from the board of directors, the sting of betrayal from his lover, and mockery from
his rivals…
After tasting cold contempt and disdain like never before, he sold off a portion of his private assets and handed the company over to professional managers. Then, he left everything behind and boarded a plane to Dunmoor.
But…
“An invitation card is required for entry to the show, sir.” A guard blocked his way.
he Damien’s fingers trembled slightly. He didn’t have an invitation card, so he wanted to say knew Juliet and was here for her. But when he opened his mouth, the words were stuck in his throat. Who was he? And who was he to Juliet now?
As he tried to find an answer, he realized that the only identity he could speak of was nothing more than a jerk who had hurt her terribly. His shoulders slumped. Through the glass doors, he could see dazzling lights in the venue of the show. Juliet was dressed in a flowing black gown as she talked to a tall man.
Damien noticed the bright, genuine smile on her face. It was a smile he had never once seen in eight years. He watched as the man leaned close and whispered something in her ear. His fingers brushed lightly over her butterfly tattoo behind it.
Instead of flinching away, she tilted her head slightly as if it were the most natural thing in
the world.
Damien’s heart felt like it was seized by an invisible hand.
Once, he had all her love, but he had crushed it himself. And now, all he could do was stand in the snow and watch through a glass window as she smiled at someone else.
“Damien?” A familiar voice rang out behind him.
Damien turned to see Henry standing not far away, frowning. His voice was cold as he
questioned, “What are you doing here? Julie has finally started anew. Are you here to disturb her again?”
Chapter 18
2/2
Damien’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he gulped. “I-I just want to see her…”
“See her?” Henry scoffed as his fists clenched at his sides. “When she was lying in the hospital, why didn’t you see her then? When that chandelier crashed down on her, why didn’t you save her?”
Every question stabbed into Damien’s heart. He tried to explain himself, but every excuse sounded hollow and pointless.
It was an undeniable fact that he had chosen Callie again and again. When he finally learned it was all a lie and that Juliet was the only one who treated him well, it was far too late then.
“I know that I’ve messed up. Please, I really do, Henry… Could you just give me one chance… so I could apologize in person?” Damien pleaded in a hoarse voice.
But Henry shook his head. “It’s too late, Damien. Your regret came far too late.”
Then, he turned to look through the glass window at the smiling Juliet. There was a soft distress and fierce pride in his eyes.
“Do you know why she got that tattoo behind her ear? It’s to cover the scar from the chandelier crash. Do you know why she created the Broken Wings collection? She said that only a broken butterfly can truly understand the weight of flight.”
Damien lowered his head as Henry’s words struck deep into his heart. Then, 14-year-old Juliet surfaced in his mind. She was standing by the basketball court. Her cheeks had a shy blush as she held a lunchbox, and her eyes were filled with admiration and innocent love for him.
“I’ll wait. I’ll keep waiting until she’s willing to see me again,” Damien declared in a hoarse
voice.
Sensing his stubbornness, Henry sighed and replied, “Suit yourself, but never appear in front of her. Nate’s a great man. He can give Julie what you can never-respect and mutuality.”
With that, Henry didn’t spare him another glance and turned to enter the venue.
Through the glass window, Damien watched him approach Juliet and gently ruffle her hair. Nate stood beside her, too, and the three of them chatted almost like a family.
Snowflakes drifted onto Damien’s lashes and melted into drops of water that looked almost like tears. At that moment, he finally understood that not all love stories had second chances.
