When Love Is a Lie (Whitney and Damian)

Chapter 195 Tell Him You Never Loved Him, You Just Used Him Whitney's redier body toembled authe weight of the truth sink in.

From the moment she and Rachel stated their plan, Damian had known everything. He had been watching them all along, letting them act out their futile scheme while he waited in the shadows. It was all under hiscont

she finally understood Neel's waming-Damian wasn't someone who could be bronglit down easily. The man who had risen to the top of the Howard empire wasn't just chaming, he was calculating and puthless. She had gondol's advice, stubbornly believing she could handle things on her own Now, her navet had landed her here

Whitney tell a sharp pang of regret, but it was too late for that. She had to find a way out of this,

"Ladmit I thought Hudevidence," she said, keeping her volce steady. "But I didn't do anything. I just wanted to force you to end the engagement

Damian's lips twitched into a cold smile.

He held up his hand, and Billy stepped forward, pulling a Lansiliar envelope from his jacket. He placed it in Damian's outstretched hand.

Whitney's stomach dropped. It was the letter she had perpared for the authorities.

How had he gotten it?

Damian dangled the envelope in front of her, hestone mocking, "You're planning to turn me in, and you still think you did nothing? Is that what you call innocent?

Whitney forced herself to stay calm. "Did I send it? It really wanted to take you down, I'd have sent that the moment 1 got my hands on the files."

Damian's gaze darkened as he stepped closer, his hand snapping out to grab her throat

"You're still lying to me," he snarled. "Noel's been investigating me, basn't he? Don't act like you weren't planning to hand everything over to him. You two are working together to destroy mel"

His gripnichtened, and Whitney gasped for air, her face turning red as her lungs burned

*Mr. Howard, stop! She's going to pass out," Billy cationed.

Damian seemed to snap out of it, his eyes flicking to Whitey's face. He released her, letting her collapse forward, coughing and gasping as oxygen rushed back into her longs.

You accuse me of lying, but what about you?" Whitney rasped, her voice boarse. "You've been with Rachel behind my back, pretending to care about me while planning to use me to secure your inheritance. You're no better than me!" Damian's expression flickered, guilt flashing across his features before it was replaced by something far darker.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly, almost as if he meant it. "I shouldn't have been with her. I shouldn't have hurt you. But don't you see? I cralized I love you. That's why I can't let you go"

His voice dropped, the desperation in his tone unmistakable.

When you wanted to leave me, I realized what you meant to me. Everything I've done the deals, the risks-was for you. Once my plan succeeds, the entire Howard legacy will be ours. I'll give you everything, Whitney, Everything." Whitney's heart pounded, but not from emotion-only fear. Damian had crossed the line from ambition to obsession, and there was no reasoning with him.

"And you," Damian continued, his voice rising. "You tried to destiny me! You plotted against me with Rachel and Noel. You were going to let me tot in jail! His words cut through the air like a whip.

Whitney met his gaze, her eyes blazing. "And why wouldn't I? I loved you for right years, Damian. Eight years! You to me apart. Was I supposed to just accept Herwards trembled with a mix of anger and pain, her voice breaking toward the end.

jan's face twisted as if she'd stabbed him, his notions a storm of age and anguish. Then, almost imperceptibly, his expression softened.

"So you still love me, don't you?" His hands gripped her shoulders, his dark eyes searching hers. "You still came

Whitney tumed les face away, letting her silence speak volumes. Tears welled up inher eyes, making them shinner as she looked down. "Please don't cry," Damian ma

teaching out to wipe away her team.

She took a shaky Barath "My wrist hurts. My legs too. My injuries haven't healed yet, and you have me tied up like this

Her voice was low and fermbling, almost breaking into a sob. She raised her bound hands slightly, showing him the angry red marks where the rope had dug into

Damian's expression darkened, a flicker of guilt crossing his face. "I didn't mean to hurt you," he said softly.

Whitneythought he might untieler, but his next words sent toe through her veins.

"Just wait a little longer," he said gently "When Norlatives, I want you to look him in the eye and tell him you never loved him. That you only used him. "And after that," he added, lus voice lowering to a near whisper, "I'll bet you go