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Chapter 37 Eden
I draw air into my lungs as quickly as I can while Geoffrey helps me with my dress.
My anxiety is creeping in, but I don’t want to bother Damien.
Or rather, I don’t want him to think I can’t follow through with my part of the plan.
I can and I will.
I just need a moment to collect myself and put my game face on.
“I know you’re nervous, but you look magnificent,” he says, zipping up my dress. Although dress is a bit of an understatement.
It’s a gold, full-length, off-the-shoulder gown made of satin. One I picked out on my own when I went shopping this morning.
Geoffrey hands me a box with a gold bow on it and smiles. “You’ll be the belle of the ball.”
I don’t think so, considering I’ll be seducing my stepfather into confessing to murders he committed and is blackmailing Damien with.
I look down at my opal ring. Damien told me opal was good luck, and I’m counting on it. I need all the luck I can get tonight.
My gaze shifts to the elegant box. It’s almost too pretty to open. “Do you know what’s inside?”
Geoffrey shrugs. “Damien said to give it to you.”
He leaves the room shortly after and I untie the ribbon before removing the top.
A shiver runs down my spine when I read the note on top of the tissue paper.
There’s a reason for all the bad things we go through.
Something that makes us realize the pain was worth it in the end.
I found mine.
I hope like hell you find yours one day, Eden.
I already have.
Lifting a finger, I wipe a tear out of the corner of my eye then take out the tissue paper.
Inside the box is a beautiful gold mask.
Geoffrey peeks his head back inside my door as I finish putting it on. “Damien’s waiting for you.”
My heart beats out of my chest as I walk down the hallway and see him standing at the top of the other spiral staircase.
He looks striking in his tux, despite the black mask covering his gorgeous face.
I give him a smile, but he doesn’t return it.
Instead, he stares at me for what feels like an eternity before he speaks. “You’re breathtaking.”
“So are you.” I lift up the bottom of my dress with one hand and hold the railing with the other so I don’t fall. “Meet you at the bottom?”
Our eyes lock as we walk down our opposing staircases. An eerie feeling catches me by the throat when I think about the last ball…and how much my life has changed in the short time since.
Damien holds out his arm for me when we reach the bottom. “Ready?”
“Yea—” A camera flashes, taking me by surprise.
“Wow, such a great shot. Can we use this for the local paper?” some woman asks.
“Sure.” I link my arm through Damien’s. “Let’s do this.”