The Ultimate Chance-Chapter 145

The following evening.

Although it was already certain that Shirley was attending the banquet, Avery was nervous as she got ready for the banquet. What if she was wrong and going to confront her was not the best choice? Better yet, what if she was playing herself into a trap?

She knew Damon was only doing this because she had insisted on it but what if it was exactly what Shirley hoped would happen? After all, the woman had only managed to trap Damon in the past because she knew him too well.

She shut her eyes to wade away the jealousy that was starting to surface at the thought of another woman knowing enough about Damon to play him like a puppet.

"It’s official. My son is trying to kill me." Damon returned to her room, pulling her out of her thoughts.

"What did he do?" She asked and immediately got her answer. She had not been able to decide on what to wear for the banquet, so she had given him several gowns and had him seek Angel’s opinion. He was holding the hanger with a blue gown in one hand, separated from the others, and she immediately knew why he would think Angel was trying to kill him.

She rolled her eyes and waved him off. "My baby knows best."

She proceeded to untie the belt of her dressing gown and let it drop to the ground, leaving her naked body in his line of sight. She felt his heated gaze on her and peeked at him over her shoulder.

"Like what you’re seeing?"

"Love." He inched closer and trailed a finger down her back.

She sucked in a breath. "We’re going to be late."

"You started it." He growled against her neck as he kissed the tender skin.

"I was getting dressed. It’s not my fault that you’re insatiable." She joked. It earned her a spank on her bare backside before he threaded his fingers through her hair and turned her around.

"On your knees, baby."

She licked her lips in response. This was one of the things she liked about him—he enjoyed receiving head as much as she liked giving it.

____

They were indeed late. She had taken care of Damon’s raging boner and thought he was sated, but when he saw her in the backless blue gown that slightly hugged her curves and complimented her eyes, his gaze had set her skin on fire. It was a surprise that the gown had survived the onslaught of their impatience.

"Are we too late?" She asked as she hooked her arm around his.

"It’s a good thing that we are." His eyes darkened.

She raised her brows. "How is that a good thing? I’m already known as the arrogant woman who is always late to these events. And with Le Perle’s floor plan, everyone will be able to see us when we walk in."

"Good. Because then Shirley will certainly know we are present."

Her eyes widened. She had not thought of the possibility that they wouldn’t bump into Shirley. He was right. As long as she saw them, she would find a way to worm her way toward them.

She took a deep breath, tried not to care what anyone would think of their lateness, and held her skirt delicately as they ascended the staircase.

All eyes turned towards them when they walked in.

"Miss Vaillant, don’t you look stunning?" A man commented when they were barely in the hall.

"Thank you." She offered a smile and tightened her hand around Damon’s arm. He looked like he wanted to kill the man for his comment.

"We should say hi to the host." She suggested with a double meaning. This was their chance to find out whether or not Shirley came.

However, they didn’t have to ask. Her eyes met those of a woman she could swear could have been her sister as they spoke to the host. She was about to ask why the woman was staring at her when she realized her eyes were on Damon beside her.

She grinned, making Damon tighten his hand around hers.

"Don’t let her bother you." She whispered to him.

He scoffed. "Me? I’m afraid her presence will make you uncomfortable." He was relieved by the discovery that she didn’t care about Shirley.

"Let’s get something to drink." She suggested to him, but all she wanted was to lead this bizarre woman away. When Shirley pulled her arm away from her date, she smiled. That was not difficult in the slightest.

She picked a glass of water while Damon took a champagne flute and took a sip.

"It’s nice to see you here," Shirley spoke up behind them.

Avery turned, pretending not to know her. "Who are you?"

"You don’t know who I am?" She looked shocked as she glanced at Damon. "Of course, he wouldn’t tell you. After all, you are just a replacement. You have no right to know the original."

Avery rolled her eyes. It wasn’t something to be proud of, but she was certain who the replacement was.

"Is there any good reason why I should know you?" She asked.

"Non."

"Good." She had no idea what she was thinking, seeking this woman out, but she suddenly didn’t want to talk to her anymore.

"It’s good to see you, Damon. I’ve been looking for you." She reached for his arm before they could walk off.

"So I’ve heard. You went as far as to stalk my sister." His patience was running out. "What are you up to?"

"Nothing that warrants you treating me so coldly." She forced a smile. "Can we talk?"

There was no good answer to that. If he agreed to talk to her in private, she might find a way to spin it in a way that would make Avery misunderstand—something she could do right here too. So he chose the lesser evil of the two. "Whatever you want to say, she can hear it."

Shirley glanced at Avery and then at him. "Are you sure?"

"Speak up." He insisted.

"Fine. This is not a good place. Let’s go somewhere more private." She led the way. The couple exchanged glances and followed her to the terrace where no one else was. She glanced around discreetly and lowered her voice. "It’s about that night three years ago."

"What are you getting at?" Damon felt his stomach sink. An ominous premonition.

"I wanted to keep it to myself. You did say it was a mistake, after all." She glanced at Avery, her eyes drooping in what appeared to be sadness.

Avery glanced at him. "What the hell is she talking about? What night?"

"He didn’t cheat on you, don’t worry. The two of you had long broken up." Shirley explained, then took a deep breath. "I know how much you hate me. I broke your heart and I wanted to make it up to you by staying out of your life, but my daughter needs you. Our daughter needs you."

"What?" Avery was the first to snap.

"What are you talking about?" Damon froze.

"I got pregnant that night."

"Pregnant?"

"Yeah, you know, the kind of thing that happens when you have unprotected sex." She peeked at Avery. "I know you only got back together with her because of your son. I’m not asking you to abandon them. I’m just asking that you be a father to our daughter too."

Avery slipped her hand out of his and headed for the exit.

"Avery!" He called after her, only for Shirley to grab his arm. "I’m sorry. I’m really sorry."

He glared at her, holding back everything he wanted to say to her, and went after Avery. He caught up to her just as she opened the car door and took her arm. She flung his hand away.

"You said you never slept with her!" She yelled, then remembered where they were—in a parking lot where anyone could come over and witness their fight. She clamped her mouth shut and opened the car door. "I’m going home."

This was a bad idea. He raked his fingers through his hair in frustration and nodded. "I’ll drive you home."

She didn’t have the strength to hail a cab so she settled in the passenger seat, shutting her eyes to avoid having to talk to him.

He drove off the parking lot but it wasn’t long before she felt the car pull up and come to a halt. When she opened her eyes, she realized they were outside her villa. She had been too lost in thought to feel any part of the drive. She opened the door and slipped out.

"Vivi," He grabbed her hand.

She ignored him. "I asked you, Damon. I asked if you ever got together with any woman during the time when we were apart and what did you tell me?"

His silence only proved her point.

"Not only did you fuck her, but you also had a fucking baby with her! Which you never cared to tell me about!"

"I did not sleep with her." He insisted.

She glanced at him skeptically. "Of course. She had your baby through a kiss, then?"

"I have no fucking idea what she’s..." He paused when he remembered something, then ran a hand through his hair. "Fuck!"

She crossed her arms. "So you did sleep with her."

"Not when I was sober."

She rolled her eyes and turned to leave.

"You have to believe me." He stopped her, pulling her into his arms despite her protest. "This is what she wants, Vivi. For us to fight."

"Then she won!" She was furious. It didn’t matter whether or not he slept with other women when they had broken up. His lie was what broke her heart and the fact that he was making up a lie about being drunk when it happened was not making it any better.