Chapter 5 Scars That Never Healed

The days following Amira's outburst in the hospital passed like a blur. She barely remembered the drive back to her apartment, nor did she recall the number of times she ignored Damien's calls. She had shut herself away-physically, emotionally, spiritually. The betrayal she felt ran deeper than anything she had ever imagined.

But Damien didn't stop.

Every morning, a bouquet of white tulips was left outside her door-the kind she once mentioned in passing as her favorite. With them, always a note.

> "I never meant to break you. I only wanted to build a life with you. Please talk to me." - D"

She never responded.

---

Meanwhile, Damien...

Damien Ashford had everything-power, reputation, wealth-but he had lost her.

He sat alone in his penthouse office, the skyline of the city stretching out in front of him, yet all he could focus on was her face-how she looked when she laughed at his dry jokes, how she crinkled her nose when she was angry, how her eyes turned glassy the moment she found out the truth.

He hadn't wanted this.

He didn't know love could feel this much like punishment.

"Mr. Ashford," Rachel, his assistant, peeked in. "You have a board meeting in 10 minutes."

Damien barely nodded.

---

Flashback - One Year Ago

The merger deal with MooreTech had just collapsed when Damien first met Amira at a startup pitch event. She was confident but not arrogant, bright-eyed but not naive. Her business idea was raw, but he saw potential-not just in the startup, but in her.

He offered mentorship.

She accepted.

One dinner turned into two. Late-night brainstorming sessions became excuses to talk longer. Somewhere between pitch decks and laughter, they fell in love.

But he never told her.

Never told her that MooreTech wasn't the only lie he buried.

Never told her she was part of a bet with his board to prove he could turn any startup into a million-dollar company-especially one run by someone with no connections and limited funding.

The bet turned into business.

Business turned into love.

But the lie still stood.

Until it crushed them both.

---

Now...

Amira walked into her mother's nursing home, her heels clacking softly against the marble floor. Her face was composed, but her chest carried the weight of grief and silence.

Her mother's illness was worsening. The doctor had confirmed that morning-stage four.

Time was running out.

She didn't have the luxury to drown in heartbreak.

And yet... Damien lingered in her mind like a haunting melody. Beautiful, but painful.

---

That night, she found herself sitting on her couch, Damien's final note in hand.

> "I fell in love with you before I knew what love meant. I destroyed everything because I didn't know how to protect what I felt. Let me explain... Please."

She hated that a part of her wanted to call him.

So she did something else.

She walked to the mirror, wiped her tears, and whispered to herself,

"You are stronger than your scars."