Chapter 9

Five Years Later

You might be wondering about the young man who showed up at the hospital four years ago. Yes, that was Rachael’s uncle, Clark. But you might be thinking, “Rachael was an orphan!” And you’d be right. However, miracles do happen.

Clark, Rachael’s father’s brother, had been searching for her tirelessly, determined to find her so she could inherit her father’s substantial estate.

When Clark finally found her, he fulfilled his promise, handing over every property and asset her father had left behind.

Rachael wasn’t the same woman who had been humiliated and oppressed. She had transformed into someone powerful and determined, ready to confront anyone who had wronged her.

Rachael stood in front of the mirror in her master bedroom, the soft hum of her makeup brush punctuating the contours of her face.

Her hair, styled in glossy waves, framed her face perfectly. The tailored designer dress she wore accentuated her transformation into a figure of elegance and strength.

As she finished applying the final touch of her lipstick, her thoughts shifted to her son, Jamal.

“Jamal! Hurry up! We’re running late!” Rachael called out, her voice a blend of urgency and affection. She walked briskly towards the staircase, her heels clicking sharply on the marble floor, and began climbing with practiced grace.

Jamal’s room was a cheerful haven, decorated in soft blues with posters of superheroes and neatly organized toys. Rachael’s heart softened as she looked around, reminded of the happy moments they had shared here.

She paused at the doorway, folding her arms and watching her son. He was the spitting image of her, with a few touches of Victor’s features. His dark hair and deep brown eyes were a mirror of her own, and she marveled at how he had grown.

“Let Mama help you with your belt,” Rachael said gently as she knelt beside him. Her fingers deftly worked the leather belt through the loops of Jamal’s pants.

“No, Mama! I’m a big boy! I can do it myself!” Jamal protested, wriggling away from her grasp. His small face was a mix of stubbornness and excitement.

Rachael smiled tenderly. “You’ll always be my baby boy,” she said, her eyes full of warmth.

She leaned closer, smoothing out his shirt and adjusting his collar. “I know you’re a big boy, but you’re taking too long, and we’re running late,” she said softly. “Today is Daniel’s birthday, and his mom called to say Daniel is already crying because you’re not there yet.”

Jamal’s eyes widened in realization, and he scrambled to finish dressing with newfound urgency. “Oh my God, Mummy! I didn’t know. Let’s hurry!” he exclaimed, his voice a mix of surprise and eagerness.

Rachael helped him with his shoes, guiding him with practiced ease. They dashed down the staircase.Then he stopped in his tracks and turned to Racheal with a grumpy look.

“But Mummy, I thought we were going with Uncle Damian! I’m not going to the party without him!” Jamal exclaimed, his feet planted firmly on the floor. He crossed his arms and pouted, his bottom lip trembling as he threw a small tantrum.

Rachael’s patience wore thin as she rolled her eyes, feeling a flicker of frustration. She knew Jamal could be stubborn, and sometimes, the temptation to discipline him was strong.

But she took a deep breath, trying to maintain her composure. “Jamal, if you keep this up, I’ll lock you in your room, and you won’t go to the party at all. And I’m not joking. I’m very serious!”

Before Jamal could respond, the doorbell rang, cutting off Rachael’s threat. She moved quickly to answer it, and in walked Uncle Damian, his presence a welcome relief.

The moment Jamal heard the doorbell, his face brightened, and he wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

“Uncle Damian is here!” he shouted, his voice filled with excitement. He bolted towards Damian, who welcomed him with open arms, a hearty laugh escaping him as he caught Jamal in a tight hug.

“Hey, kiddo! Look at you, all dressed up,” Damian said, his eyes twinkling with affection. He handed Jamal a large, colorful box. “I got this for you!”

Jamal’s eyes widened with delight as he opened the box to reveal a set of Power Rangers toys.

“Yay!!!!! Thank you so much, Uncle Damian!” he exclaimed, hugging Damian tightly.

“I’m going to show these to my best friend Daniel! I love you, Uncle Damian!” Without waiting for a response, he dashed out of the living room and towards the car, eager to start the day’s adventure.

Rachael watched him go, a smile tugging at her lips despite the earlier frustration. She turned back to Damian, who was adjusting his tie, his gaze full of warmth. “You’re spoiling him too much, you know that, right?” she teased, leaning closer to help him with the final adjustments.

Damian chuckled, his eyes meeting hers with a playful glint. “It’s the least I can do. Plus, I love the little guy so much. And don’t think I didn’t get something for you, my love,” he said, pulling a small, glittering box from his pocket and holding it out to her.

Rachael’s eyes widened in surprise as she took the box, her fingers delicately tracing its smooth surface.

“Aww, you shouldn’t have,” she said, her voice soft with genuine appreciation. She opened the box to reveal a stunning pair of earrings, their brilliance catching the light and sparkling with every movement.

“Oh, Damian, these are beautiful!” Rachael exclaimed, her eyes shining with gratitude. She reached up to kiss him softly on the cheek. “Thank you so much. They’re absolutely perfect.”

Damian’s gaze settled on Rachael, the playful spark in his eyes deepening as he took in the way her gown accentuated her figure. He couldn’t resist letting his gaze linger a moment longer before leaning in closer.

“And this gown. Fuck!” he said with a low growl, his voice laced with desire, “it’s like it was made just for you. Really shows off your… curves.” His hand moved, and with a sharp, deliberate motion, he gave her backside a firm, unexpected spank.

Rachael gasped, a soft moan escaping her lips as her body tensed at the sudden contact. She turned to face him, her cheeks flushed with a mix of surprise and a lingering heat. “Damian! Seriously?”

He smirked, as he looked at her with raw intent in his eyes. “I can’t help it. You look incredible.” His tone shifted to something more intimate, more personal. “And I can’t wait to have you all to myself tonight. I can't wait to devour your body”

Rachael’s breath hitched, the air between them charged with a palpable tension.

Her eyes narrowed playfully, yet the heat of his words stirred something deep within her. “Damian,” she began, her voice soft but edged with desire, “you’re impossible. Don't get me all worked up. Now is not the time.”

Damian’s expression softened, his hand reaching out to gently brush a strand of hair away from her face. “I’m just looking forward to the evening,” he said, his voice dropping to a whisper. “But for now, let’s not keep Jamal waiting. He’s already got the whole party buzzing.”

As they both settled into the car, Rachael glanced at Damian and couldn’t help but smile. The gentle hum of the engine seemed to mirror the contentment she felt inside. How had she been so fortunate to find someone like him?

Damian wasn’t just her business partner; he was technically her superior, one of the wealthiest billionaires in the country.

But beyond the numbers and the titles, he was a breath of fresh air in her life, a stark contrast to the pain she’d known before.

She had always been cautious about letting someone into her heart again, especially someone so prominent and influential.

The fear of repeating past mistakes and the agony of potential heartbreak had made her hesitant.

Yet, Damian had changed that. Despite knowing the full extent of her history—her previous marriage to Victor and the resulting heartache—Damian had embraced her and her son, Jamal, with a kindness that was beyond anything she could have imagined. His affection for Jamal was genuine, and his support for her was unwavering.

Damian's love wasn’t just a fleeting gesture; it was a constant presence in their lives.

It wasn’t just about what he could provide materially or professionally; it was about the way he had shown them both love in a manner that made Rachael believe in the possibility of a different kind of happiness.

His actions had spoken louder than any words, reassuring her that they were creating something meaningful and lasting together.

As they drove through the city streets, the evening air was filled with a sense of anticipation.

Damian’s gaze remained fixed on Rachael, A soft smile played on his lips as his hand rested possessively on her thigh. Slowly, deliberately, his fingers began to trace a teasing path up her inner thigh, inching closer to her core.

Rachael’s breath hitched, and she gasped as his touch ignited a wave of sensations. Her eyes closed involuntarily, and a soft, throaty moan escaped her lips, her body responding to the slow, deliberate caress.

Damian’s hand moved with a practiced ease, savoring the reaction he was eliciting from her.

Just as she was about to react more strongly, he withdrew his hand, leaving her breathless and yearning for more. He relished in the effect he had on her, the playfulness in his eyes evident as he glanced at her, enjoying her flushed cheeks and half-closed eyes.

“Stop it,” Rachael murmured, her voice a mix of frustration and desire, her tone barely above a whisper.

Damian’s lips curled into a mischievous grin, his laughter a low, rumbling sound that filled the confined space of the car. He leaned in and pressed a tender kiss to her cheek.

From the back seat, Jamal’s excited voice broke the charged atmosphere. “I want a kiss on my cheek too!” His enthusiasm was contagious, his little face beaming up at Damian.

Damian, shaking off the playful tension, turned around and leaned over to plant a warm kiss on Jamal’s cheek.

As they pulled into the parking lot of the amusement park and swimming pool, the vibrant atmosphere was already alive with the sounds of cheerful chatter and laughter. Damian parked the car and turned off the engine.

Damian opened his door and stepped out, stretching slightly before walking around to help Rachael with Jamal. As Rachael emerged from the car, Damian’s hand lingered on her lower back, a gesture of affection that made her pulse quicken.

Jamal, brimming with excitement, was already bouncing on the spot. “Mummy! Uncle Damian! Look! The park is so big! I can’t wait!” he exclaimed, his face lighting up with enthusiasm.

Damian chuckled and nodded toward the entrance. “Go on, little man. We’ll catch up.”

Jamal bolted toward the entrance, his small feet pounding the pavement. Rachael and Damian followed at a more leisurely pace, exchanging smiles and light banter.

But as Jamal reached the entrance, he suddenly stumbled over a loose stone on the path. His eyes widened in surprise, and he flailed his arms in an attempt to catch his balance. Rachael’s heart dropped into her stomach as she watched in horror.

“Jamal!” she cried out, her voice tinged with panic. Damian’s expression mirrored her fear as they both rushed forward.