Finding them would be next to impossible.
Damien slumped back in his chair, defeated.
She was determined to hide from him, even if it meant retreating to the deep mountains, even if it meant living a hard life.
She would rather do any of that than stay by his side.
Why?
Why in the world?
Just then, Damien's phone rang.
It was an unknown number.
Damien glanced at it but didn't answer.
He was in no mood to talk to anyone.
But the phone kept ringing, again and again.
Exasperated, Damien finally answered.
"Who is this?"
His tone was icy, filled with menace.
There was a moment of silence on the other end, then a weak, elderly voice spoke.
"Clarke."
Damien froze.
That voice…
It was her grandfather!
Damien shot upright, the hand holding the phone trembling.
"Grandpa! Is that you?!"
"Where's Grace? Is Grace with you?"
"Where are you? I'll come get you!"
"Please, just tell me where you are!"
Damien's voice cracked, on the verge of tears.
He was the powerful heir to the Clarke empire, but at this moment, he was humbled completely.
"Stop looking for us."
The grandfather's voice was cold, edged with finality.
"We're not coming back, and Grace won't see you."
"Why?"
Damien yelled.
"What did I do wrong? Was there something I did? I can change!"
"Just come back, I'll do anything you ask!"
On the other end of the line, the grandfather sighed.
"Damien, you didn't do anything wrong."
"What's wrong is fate."
"Do you remember Bastian Hawke?"
Bastian Hawke?
Damien frowned.
The name sounded vaguely familiar, but he couldn't place it.
"He was Grace's biological uncle."
The grandfather's voice suddenly became sharp.
"He was also the man your Clarke family drove to suicide five years ago!"
Damien felt as if he'd been struck by lightning, and the floodgates of his memory burst open.
Five years ago.
He had just taken over the Clarke family and had been ruthless in establishing his authority.

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