Chapter 20
Damon’s nerves grew tighter by the second. Cold sweat gathered in his
palms.
He waited.
And waited:
No one came to the door.
Panic crept in. On instinct, he reached out to push it open–only to find it
locked tight.
His eyes fell on the small blackboard hanging beside the entrance.
“Closed Today.”
He had once thought it was a sign meant just for him–that Ariel had closed
the estate for the day because she was waiting to meet him, unwilling to
entertain anyone else.
Chapter 20 The Door That Stayed Closed
But now, he understood the truth.
That sign wasn’t a welcome.
It was a wall.
1
A message as clear as any spoken words: She didn’t want to see him.
Only now did it dawn on him–Ariel had played him.
She had never intended to reunite.
She only wanted to turn him away without saying a word. Without even laying
eyes on him.
Everything screamed the same, brutal truth: I’m not going to forgive you.
Damon stood frozen in disbelief, staring at the estate that had once
symbolized their shared dream.
ར ་ ་ ་ ང་ བ ར་ ང་ ར་ད་ ང་ ར་ ་ ཤ་ ། ་ ར་ ད་
Back when they were still together, they’d often fantasized: after retiring from
their duties–when he was no longer
longer Alpha–they’d live by the sea in a quiet
11:38 AM
Chapter 20 The Door That Stayed Closed
private villa. They’d relax in the sea breeze, embracing each other, living a
simple life full of quiet happiness.
Because she had loved the idea so much, he’d gone ahead and bought
several oceanfront villas near Thornfang Pack. He’d take her on occasional
surprise visits, and each time she had lit up with laughter and joy.
wh
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She’d praised him so sweetly that his heart would soar for days.
But… when had that all stopped?
When had they stopped going out together?
He thought back in a daze.
It all started after he got involved with Isabelle.
甘
He saw Ariel less and less. Those villas they once visited together? Left to dust
and disrepair.
The promises he made her? One by one, he broke them.
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Chapter 20 The Door That Stayed Closed
Regret sank its claws deep into his chest.
xx
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He hated the man he had been.
He had fought so hard to win Ariel’s love. He knew she struggled with
insecurity, knew she feared their relationship would crumble like her parents‘
had… and still, he let it fall apart.
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He had resisted countless temptations before. Why couldn’t he hold the line
just a little longer?
Now, Damon could only wish be
could go back and drag his past self into a
fight–punch some sense into him.
If only he’d stayed true… none of this would’ve happened.
Just then, a sultry voice interrupted his thoughts.
A blonde she–wolf, dressed in a revealing outfit, caught sight of him and her
eyes lit up.
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Chapter 20 The Door That Stayed Closed
It had been ages since she’d seen an Alpha this handsome–one with such
commanding presence, yet radiating sorrow that made her want to reach
out and “save” him.
She sauntered over, brows arched with confidence.
“Hey, handsome… Want to grab a drink?”
Her pale fingers reached for his shoulder.
Damon recoiled like she was poison.
“Get lost.”
Cold, furious energy rolled off him in waves. But instead of backing off, the
blonde’s lips curled in challenge.
She leaned in, brushing her curves close to him.
In an instant, Damon grabbed her and flung her to the ground without the
slightest hint of restraint.
Chapter 20 The Door That Stayed Closed
The force of his grip made her bones creak.
His eyes burned crimson. Rage and madness twisted in every line of his face.
The blonde’s expression collapsed into terror. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to! I
won’t do it again!”
She begged again and again, voice growing hoarse from fear.
It was only then that Damon released her, finally coming back to himself.
“Don’t follow me. You’re disgusting.”
His voice was ice. He felt sick–like something vile had touched him.
He checked into the rest hotel.
Under scalding water, he stood motionless in the shower. The heat reddened
his skin, threatening to peel it off, but he didn’t flinch.
He scrubbed himself like a man possessed.
Chapter 20 The Door That Stayed Closed
Ariel… I’m not dirty. Please don’t think I’m dirty.
I know I was wrong. But look–today a woman threw herself at me and I didn’t
even hesitate. I rejected her, Ariel. Please, don’t give up on me.
His voice broke as he muttered over and over–clinging to a ghost with
trembling hands, spiraling into something close to madness.
