At one time, I thought that Celia would make a suitable partner for me. Maybe I loved her even. She was beautiful, a good friend and I assumed we shared a mutual affection.  But my love for her died when I proposed to her and she turned me down saying that she was born to be a Duchess. She started dating David, my elder brother, soon after. David knew of my fondness for her and like the sick bastard he was he gloried in the fact that she preferred him. My flesh still crawls each time I remember how she succeeded in manipulating me back then. My relationship with her after that never survived her greed and her need for power.

Then why did I marry her? I study her for a moment. Seeing me observe her, she juts her chin out and tosses her blonde hair away from her face. She is immaculately dressed, as always, in a dark green pantsuit. She looks perfect in every way, but nothing can hide the cold calculated look in her blue gaze.

What in the bloody hell transpired in the last five years that I agreed to let Celia back into my life? Good God! Why would I ever willingly touch someone who once belonged to my deplorable brother?

The door opens once again and Gabe enters. “What the fuck, Celia?” he roars. “Why would you claim to be Damien’s wife?”

The knot in my chest unwinds. Thank God in heaven that wasn’t true! But I ask anyway, “You mean she’s not my wife?”

“Of course not!” Gabe throws me a disgusted look. “She was engaged to David. Please tell me you’ve not forgotten that.”

Before I can respond, Celia laughs aloud. “Damien, I said that just to meet you since the nurse wouldn’t allow me inside. Your mother warned me that Gabe has placed a lot of security measures in place around you and no one could meet you without his permission.”

“So, you thought to push your way through by claiming to be my wife? That is outrageous,” I lash out.

Nothing’s changed with her. She’s still the same manipulative woman I’ve always known her to be.

“Oh, don’t you go biting my head off. Your mother suggested this, in fact.”

“Did she now?” So, my mother and she are still thick as thieves! Some things remain the same in spite of the years and my memory loss.