Chapter 388: Moving on [4]

"That is to be expected. Once she catches wind of her daughter’s engagement, I’m sure she’ll be making plans on getting money. She might be wise enough to know she can’t reside with you, but she’ll need some money to get out of town," said Damien.

"Would it be foolish of me to pay her so she never comes to trouble Iris?" Zayne asked, willing to go to great lengths to protect Iris.

"Yes. Give her a little taste of the money you have, and she’ll keep coming back for more. Unfortunately, you can’t forcibly get rid of her since your wife still cares for her. There is not much you can do," Damien said, giving Zayne a pat on the back.

"Would I be in the wrong to threaten her not to come near Iris?" Zayne wondered, already feeling protective whenever Agatha was mentioned.

"I think you should speak to your future wife about what should happen if her mother approaches. I can offer you ideas, but keep in mind that I don’t care for Agatha. Iris does," Damien explained the difference.

Zayne sighed and tilted his head back to look at the sky. "If she wants her mother around, I can accept that, but you know I am not fond of being used. I would hate to see Iris being used."

The thought left a bitter feeling in his chest.

"There is good news," Damien said, giving Zayne false hope. "It isn’t my issue, so I don’t need to dwell on it."

Zayne glared at Damien. "You are awful. I’m already secretly trying to repair her childhood home. I don’t mind if her brother returns and uses it."

"She made you smitten quite fast," Damien commented.

"I know that you sent men to work on Eloise’s father’s home and add some furniture. We are the same," Zayne pointed out.

"I was already married and in love with my wife then. You were ready to do all of this before she agreed to marry you. I wonder what occurred during the days she worked for you," said Damien.

"I happen to like the conversations we had, and I could see how kind she was. Then to learn all that she did for Eloise by going against her parents. I look forward to spending the rest of my life knowing more about her," Zayne said, warmth filling his voice.

Zayne looked at Damien with a mischievous glint in his eye. "How awful would you feel if Iris and I were to have a child before you?"

"It is not a contest, nor would I care. All that I feel is pity for Iris, since she will have a husband set on competing with me. Isn’t it time that you learned that you’ll always be in second place, Zayne?" Damien said, eager to spoil Zayne’s dreams.

Damien continued, "I’m trying to listen to my wife about letting you have all the attention and not spoiling your moment, so don’t push me. Now, let us have a drink because they are about to forget we exist."

"Since it is somewhat of a celebration, you should open one of your good bottles of wine for me," Zayne said, following Damien.

"I’ll prepare a good bottle for your wedding and the celebrations before, but not today. It is still a sensitive day for my siblings, so no one should be getting drunk," said Damien.

Zayne’s smile fell as he remembered what occurred. "Oh, right. I forgot you needed to share it. The estate felt so normal, with everyone in a good mood, that I didn’t think of it. How did your siblings take the news?"

"With tears and feeling betrayed, but after entering our parents’ old chamber, they settled down a bit. They will be fine as the days go by. Once the town hears the truth, they’ll be emotional again, but the worst of it has passed," Damien explained.

"I heard your aunt is putting on a good show. It seems like she is building up an act for when news comes out so the town will pity her. I wonder if she still plans to leave the town. Staying quiet and out of sight would work better than what she does now," Zayne said.

"I don’t have the interest to pay attention to what she is doing. Hopefully, her children will be well cared for. That is my only concern," Damien said, no longer caring for Camille.

"Do you not worry that because you met to speak with her, she will think that you two are back on good terms? If she needs help, I assume you will be the first person she turns to," said Zayne.

"She can try to turn to me for help, but she will not get it. Not only did she try to keep him alive, but I will not forget her actions before that. My relationship with her is done. It gives me good reason not to attend the family gathering," Damien said, relieved to have made peace with that decision.

"You never had any plans to attend. I wouldn’t throw Eloise to those wolves either. They’ll throw her question after question about her family and having an heir. Perhaps I should skip Iris meeting my family," Zayne considered.

"Your mother wouldn’t allow it. I suggest you prepare yourself to welcome your relatives to your home. As soon as your mother returns home, news of your engagement will spread throughout your family. Your uncle will come to you," Damien said purposely to upset Zayne.

"I’m not in the mood to hear who he thinks I should marry. If he keeps speaking of Rosalie, it will only make Iris feel uncomfortable since she has become friends with Rosalie. Why would anyone think we would make a suitable match?" Zayne asked, annoyed.

"Your mother has nobility in her family, and Rosalie is the daughter of a duke. That is why. It is time that you stop shying away from your uncle and put your foot down. He is always on you because you don’t speak up," Damien said.

"I do speak, but he does not listen. Would it be wrong of me to hope there is an uprising in the prison so he cannot come home? Or to hope that he would get stabbed a little and be placed on bed rest? He may recover and be in good health after the wedding," Zayne shared, hoping Damien would agree.

"Stabbed a little? Would you wish for this to occur instead of putting your foot down with him? Poor Iris," Damien said, shaking his head.

"Poor Iris? Poor me," Zayne said, already dreading the inevitable encounter with his uncle.