My Sister The Villainess - Chapter 79

Bridget couldn’t help the pangs of nervousness she felt. Though she hid it well and kept a calm composure on the surface, in reality, she was having a mild panic attack.

“You seem to be doing well.” It was the first proper sentence she’d been able to get out since they arrived at this little cafe he’d taken them.

She smiled at him shakily, unable to think of anything else to say. Her heart was a mess, and for good reason.

Those few years ago when she first met him Damien Claybrook was already a devilishly handsome youth. A single glance at that unbearably attractive face was all it took for a woman to stop and stare. But he was still young and a tad immature back then.

Now? In the short time she hadn’t seen him he’d ripened splendidly. How old was he now? 14? 15? Yet he seemed a couple of years older than that with his tall, sturdy frame. The thin, childish body he’d had was gone and replaced by a broad-shouldered young man oozing a thick s.e.x appeal.

Those seemingly frail arms from the past now had an appearance worthy of the hidden strength that’d always accompanied them. And his hands were much larger, too. She paid particular attention to them, weird as it sounds. It’s not like she had any special interest in people’s hands. Not really her fetish. But his were another story altogether, as she’s sure it would be for many Ladies who’d been under his care.

She recalled the feel of his fingers gliding along her bare skin. How easily they slid up and down her back all lathered up in oil. The way they brought heat to her flesh and made her body limp with suppressed pleasure, causing her to sigh, hum and m.o.a.n as she lost herself. How she’d decide to give way to his whims in hope for a deeper and more scandalous touch.

It never happened, but there were times when she wished it so.

Damien Claybrook was her dark past, her life’s deepest shame.

How could she have wanted such things from a child? There’s no denying she was a sick woman. The boy and his mother had done so much for her yet all she could think of at the moment were the times of sin and temptation. It was horrible. She was horrible.

Still, she understood all the fuss those women had made about him now. The youth having a following seemed a matter of course now that she got a good look at him.

He really is…quite exceptional.

Bridget suddenly recalled one of the women’s remarks regarding his manhood and blushed in spite of herself. Surely they’d exaggerated…

She hid a smile. Look at her. A grown woman blushing at such from something like that, it was laughable. She wasn’t some young thing anymore. Although she’d never had a man besides her former husband, it was far too unbecoming for her to be acting like some naive little girl over a matter like this. It’s not like she was a stranger to men or s.e.x.

Bridget froze for a moment, now remembering the last time they’d seen each other.

That night at the Inn she’d ready to give herself over to him. It was a highly emotional time for her. She’d just escaped from her abusive husband and Damien’s kindnesses had been a godsend. He seemed so much better than that man. No, he couldn’t even be called such. The Damien of that time may have been exceedingly young but he was ten times the man that rat bastard ex-husband of her’s could ever be.

That was part of the attraction, she supposed. Damien had been the only reliable male figure she’d had in a long time. The moment she realized this suddenly the difference in their age seemed not to matter as much as it used to. What did it matter, she’d rationalized. After five or more years he’d be a man, and to an a.d.u.l.t like herself that span of time was nothing.

She didn’t even care that he was about as old as her own daughter.

That night under his meticulous everything had become hazy and inconsequential. Her heightened emotions, his gentle care and how his dastardly fingers continued to warm her tired flesh made her more than willing to cross a line she knew she shouldn’t.

Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, nothing came of it thanks to the unexpected appearance of a strange green-haired boy who’d knocked him unconscious.

The memory of it all lingered in her mind

Meeting him again like this seemed almost like fate, didn’t it?

“Oh, yeah. Been doing great, actually.” Damien replied. “From what I heard you seem to be, too. You’re here for Avery, aren’t you?”

The woman smiled when her daughter was brought up. “That’s right. I can’t wait to see her after such a long time. I rarely got to see her ever since I left with her brother. That bastard kept refusing to let me see her.” Her voice turned bitter. ” No doubt that no-good father of her’s has been feeding her all kinds of lies. Not to mention…” She trailed off.

“What?” He prodded, though he could guess what she thinking already.

Bridget looked away, unable to meet his gaze. “Well, the rumors. You know. About us. I’m sure she’s heard them as well. I can’t imagine what she thinks of me now. No, she must think I abandoned her and her father for you.”

” You leaving was for the best.” Damien’s tone left no room for argument. “A mother naturally has to think of their children, but that doesn’t mean they can just forget about themselves. You deserve to be happy too.” He reached over the table and gripped her hand. His calm, steady eyes held her in place. ” You made the right choice. A nice lady like you didn’t deserve to be treated like that. As for Avery, don’t worry. She may have been unhappy for a while, but now that you’re going to be back in her life everything will be fine. May take a bit of time and effort, but I’m sure you’re up for it.”

Bridget’s eyes felt hot. This is it. This is why she’d been able to finally gather the courage to leave. Because he always knew just what to say to calm her down, to reassure her. To build her up.

In truth, Bridget harbored a deep resentment for a lot of people.

Almost all of her so-called friends and family had known what she was going through but none of them offered even a single damn word comfort. They all just looked away because it was none of their business, pretending everything was fine when it wasn’t.

He’s the only one who supported her. Heck, the first time he heard what her husband was doing she even had to stop him from going over to beat him up. The fact he was willing do that for her when everyone else she knew ignored what was happening had even made her cry.

She didn’t realize until this moment just how much she missed being around him.

In truth, the past few years hadn’t been easy. Bridget had went to them after her sudden divorce but she’d never had a great relationship with her family. As the sixth child, all the love and attention had already been given to her siblings. Her parents, uncles and aunts had spent all their affection on the first five. No one had wanted to bother with caring for another so she eventually began to feel like an add-on. An unwanted extra.

Their neglect wasn’t intentional, but that almost made it worse. That’s why growing up she never felt right asking her family for anything, because she’d feel like even more of a burden. They weren’t exactly wealthy. They weren’t Nobles either. They did, however, have a pretty daughter to marry off.

That plus the way they ignored her obvious mistreatment made her feel even more like a stranger.

She hated having to go back to them but she didn’t have much of a choice. As soon as she got back she took to hiring tutors so she could find a decent job. She never had a formal education. The number of sleepless nights were too many to count.

The long battle for custody of Avery, having to deal with her family’s judging eyes due to all the rumors about her and Damien, taking care of her son, her demanding work hours…everything left her thoroughly exhausted.

It’s only now after clawing her way up the ranks so she could enjoy some leisure time, winning sole rights to Avery’s care and moving out of her family’s home, that she was able to know what peace was again. And even then she was constantly worrying about how her daughter would think of her.

Suffice it to say, she’d been under a lot of stress.

She smiled just then. Maybe Damien could help with that.

Bridget felt at ease simply being here and talking to him again. He was kind, direct and sincere and everything about that just made her want to have him hug her.

….That may be an inappropriate thing to think, though…

“I still can’t help but feel like I failed her.” She fidgeted. “Children need a mother, after all, especially a girl at that age. But instead I ran away and left her with that bastard.”‘ She stopped and turned a questioning glance his way. “Wait, how do you know about Avery?”

“She’s my bro–Ah.” He promptly corrected himself. “She’s a friend from school.” He corrected himself again. “Or, well, she was.”

“School…?” Bridget took a moment before understanding. “Wait, you mean you attend Haytham as well?” No, of course he did. Why else would he be here? Haytham had some of the most outstanding youths of the Continent within their halls. And as much of a troublemaker as Damien was reported to be, he certainly qualified.

She just didn’t think he would have agreed to come here. She thought he disdained going to school.

“I know, it’s not exactly like me. But it’s been fun.”

“Really? I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself then.” Her eyes sparkled. “And did you say you’re a friend of Avery’s? That’s great! You must tell me all about her.” Her line of sight flickered downwards just then. “Ah…”

His hands were still cradling her own.

Damien stared at her for a second, lost. Then he shook his head with a sigh and released her. “Actually, we’re sort of in a slump right now.”

Bridget slowly retracted her arms and wondered about that expression just then. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing major. She just didn’t know who I was when we first met. You were right, she did hear about the rumors. And let’s just say her opinion of me dropped considerably once she remembered who I was.”

Her face fell. “I’m sorry. That’s…I’m sorry.” She bowed her head.

“Don’t beat yourself up over it. It’s not your fault.”

“I don’t know about that. I should’ve told her the truth a long time ago, I just didn’t want her to know how bad a person her father really is. She adores the man, you know. They were always close. She was already losing her mother, I didn’t want her to be estranged from her father too.”

Damien leaned back in his chair and drank his tea, totally relaxed. “Why didn’t you take her with you?”

She rubbed her temple, clearly vexed. “I wanted to but everything just happened so fast. I was going to go back for her but he threatened me. Even said she didn’t want to see me. Also…” A cold look came into her eye. “She had a fiance. The boy’s family and my ex-husband have a friendship of sorts so they both kept putting pressure on me. In fact I suspect the only reason I have custody now is because that family seems to have lost interest. Though I also didn’t want her involved with my family either. I don’t know what they’d have done with her if she came with me and they found out her engagement was all but dropped.”

They’d married Bridget off, who was to say they wouldn’t do the same to her daughter? She was a very pretty girl too, her Avery.

“I’ll beat them all up if you want.” Damien offered.

Bridget raised a brow. “Would you really?”

“Just say the word.”

Bridget knew he’d actually go through with it, too. She chuckled, feeling light-hearted for some reason. “Thank you, but I’m past all that now. As long as I get both my babies I don’t need to bother with petty revenge.”

“Alright but if they ever give you trouble again, your ex-husband, your family, or that fiance’s, just hit me up. I’ll take care of it. Whatever you need, no questions asked.”

A hint of happiness bubbled up at his words. All this time and he still had her back.

“Right now I just want us to be a family again.”

“Like you said, children need a mother.” He nodded.

“And a father.” Bridget blurted out unconsciously. And immediately froze. Damien gave a strained smile, not quite sure what to say to that.

“Yeah. That too.” Was the only thing that came to mind.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean–” She stopped and went quiet. What did she mean, really? Bridget looked him over with an unsteady gaze.

….He isn’t a young boy anymore.

She wanted to slap herself. What was she thinking? He’s the same age as her daughter. What’s more, look at him. A young man like him, Avery probably had more than friendly feelings for him before their falling out…

No, she told herself. She couldn’t. Not him. Something like that would be just wrong. Right? He’s half her age, a friend of her daughter, and…and….

…and the only one who’s ever really taken care of her….

She decided.

“Hey, what would you say if I asked you to dinner someti–”

“Ahem.” A new voice joined. Bridget blinked and found that without warning a curvy green-haired woman had taken a seat at their table. She had a cold, indifferent face much like Damien and wore a maid outfit with a lacy black and white headband.

In her hand was a small stack of paper which she discreetly pushed towards Bridget.

“Before that, please fill out the proper paperwork.”

“Who–?!”

But Damien beat her to it. “Vee, what the hell? What is this?” He took the papers and waved them.

Vera blinked innocently. “Forms, Young Master. To apply for the position of mistress and/or concubine.”

“…I thought we talked about this.”

The woman sighed with a grievance. “Young Master, I told you, I really don’t think I could handle you alone! I get exhausted just from the foreplay! I’m not sure I can survive our wedding night by myself. Please have mercy of this poor little tree of yours.”

“I thought you didn’t like me being with other women? What happened to that?” He all but growled.

“Well, I just don’t like women who take advantage of you like that damned sardine. And also, that was before I realized how insatiable you are. And of course I will be the legal wife. Or head wife, if you wish to marry the others as well. Besides, aren’t you interested in this one anyway?” As the Dragon Race’s Crown Prince he could have as many as he wanted. As long as they truly cared for the Young Master, Vera told herself that she wouldn’t mind.

For the sake of her survival, she was willing to compromise.

“You…” His eyes turned bloodshot. “Just what’s going on in that head of yours?!”

The damn kid acted like she would die otherwise. It’s just s.e.x, it can’t kill you!…No, wait, can it? F.u.c.k. He wished google-bro was here. Actually, maybe if it’s a heart attack…but she’s a goddamn World Tree for Christ’s sake! How come a heart attack work on them?

And, fine, its not like he was so hypocritical as to claim he wasn’t interested in other women. A beauty is a beauty, after all. But he’s not disloyal.

As long as he has Vee he doesn’t need other women.

“….Tag-team?” Vera simply knew no other way to both endure the Young Master’s nightly assaults and keep him satisfied when she grew too tired to continue herself.

So this is actually, in essence, all for the sake of the Young Master. Is she not the most thoughtful and considerate of fiancees? Really she felt she deserved a medal or something. Something big and shiny….

“For the love of….” He had no words. None.

Vee turned to Bridget and extended an arm. “I’ll be counting on you.”

Unbeknownst to her, from four feet away disguised as a lamppost, Evie was eyeing the doc.u.ments with interest.