Chapter 2 - The Man She Trusted Most
Seven weeks before the housewarming party, Victoria woke to Damian’s hand resting gently on her stomach.
For one peaceful moment, she believed she was safe.
Sunlight filled the bedroom of the temporary townhouse where they had lived since her father’s death. Damian smiled when the baby kicked beneath his palm.
“There she is,” he whispered.
They had already chosen a name.
Grace.
Victoria’s father, Edward Vale, had died ten months earlier after a sudden heart attack. He had built Vale Urban Holdings from one struggling construction firm into a national real-estate empire.
Victoria inherited his voting shares, several properties and control of the company.
She also inherited pressure from every direction.
Investors wanted reassurance. The board wanted stability. Reporters wanted to know whether a thirty-two-year-old pregnant woman could lead a multibillion-dollar company.
Damian always defended her in public.
At least, she thought he did.
That morning, he placed a leather folder beside her breakfast.
“I want to make things easier for you,” he said.
Inside was a temporary management authorization giving Damian the power to negotiate company deals during the final months of Victoria’s pregnancy.
“It’s not permanent,” he assured her. “You need rest. I can handle the pressure.”
Victoria read the first page twice.
Her father had taught her never to sign documents while emotional, tired or frightened.
“I’ll have Elias review it.”
Damian’s smile tightened.
Elias Grant had been the Vale family lawyer for twenty-six years. He had also been Edward’s closest friend.
“You don’t need to run every decision through your father’s old guard,” Damian said.
Before Victoria could answer, Serena entered without knocking.
Her stepmother carried tea and wore the concerned expression she had perfected since Edward’s funeral.
“Damian is only trying to protect you,” Serena said.
Victoria looked from her fiancé to her stepmother.
Neither of them touched the folder.
May you like
But both were watching her hand.
👉 Victoria refused to sign that morning—but Damian’s reaction showed her the request had never been about helping her rest.
