Chapter 6
Damon’s hometown was Riverstone–a wealthy city by reputation. But something about the way he spoke and moved made me think he’d grown up with very little.
Since he was offering me a way out, I felt I had to show my gratitude in some way.
Along the way, I stopped at a pawnshop and sold the only two things I had left of value: the violin Colton Prescott had once gifted me and a jade pendant I’d secretly kept all these years.
The cash I got wasn’t much by most standards, but I handed every dollar to Damon.
“You’re willing to take me away and help me shed the label of a military prostitute. I have nothing worthy to repay you with. This money should be enough for you to live comfortably for a few years.
But saving my life isn’t something I can repay with these money alone. If you ever need me for anything, I’ll be there–no matter what.”
His brows furrowed deeply, as though he were holding back something.
“Where do you want to go?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly. “But I want to be free.”
I could feel the tension between us–the fear that he might be like other men, wanting to lock me away, to keep me but never let me go.
But to my surprise, his uncertainty mirrored my own.
“Then… until you figure it out,” he said, “would you stay with me?”
It wasn’t an unreasonable request.
And before deciding my future, maybe I could afford to care for the man who had quite literally saved my life. I gave a slight nod.
He let out a sharp breath, the tension in his shoulders finally releasing.
“Let’s go home get you into something clean.” he said.
He bought back the jade I had pawned, and with money from the sold violin, took me straight to the most luxurious boutique in Riverstone.
As we stood before the gilded windows and velvet–draped displays, I started to protest–it didn’t seem wise to spend money so carelessly.
But the moment we walked in, the shopkeeper froze mid–step, eyes wide in disbelief. Then, with a gasp that echoed across the store, he shouted: “Mr. Clark has returned!”
Things weren’t at all what I had imagined.
Chapter 6
That day, Damon had a new dress tailored for me, took me to the most extravagant restaurant in the city, then to a jeweler store for a custom set of accessories.
He didn’t spend a single coin–every shop we visited belonged to his family.
It wasn’t until we arrived at his estate that I finally understood.
The “Clark” in Damon Clark was the same Clark from General Quentin Clark–the legendary Warlord of the Southwest, who’d once amassed a fortune that rivaled the treasury itself.
Damon was the head of that family now.
I stood stunned at the grand gates of the Clark estate, unable to move as the entire household rushed out to greet him, some bursting into tears.
“God has blessed us,” one of the elders said, voice trembling. “Mr. Clark has returned home safely.”
Then they turned their attention to me.
“And who might this be?”
Damon reached for my wrist and held it gently but firmly, his voice resolute:
“My wife. Married and honored, by law and name.”
