Overbearing CEO's Contract Love
Chapter 467: Strangers

Chapter 467: Strangers

Damien Sterling didn’t even glance at Emma Hart as they passed by. Riley Turner, holding onto Damien’s arm, let out a small sigh of relief. Sensing something was off, Damien turned to her with a gentle look and asked, "What’s wrong? Is there something bothering you?"

Riley shook her head, her face flushing with a mix of shyness and surprise as she quickly covered, "It’s nothing. I just remembered your headache earlier and got a bit worried. Do you think we should go to the hospital?"

After worrying for days, Riley Turner had feared running into Emma Hart, dreading that she might cause trouble or reveal the truth to Damien. The consequences of that were too terrifying for Riley to even consider.

But it seemed she was worrying over nothing. Emma Hart didn’t stir up any trouble, and Damien didn’t recognize anything, not even as they passed each other closely. His eyes were focused only on Riley.

Damien noticed the surprised gratitude in Riley’s eyes and couldn’t help but reflect on his behavior since the accident. He realized he had been distant toward her, likely due to the unfamiliarity caused by his amnesia. It must have hurt Riley, leaving her feeling neglected, which explained her reaction now.

Determined to change, Damien resolved to treat Riley better from now on, to be the husband she deserved. Even if things felt strange, he was committed to falling in love with her all over again and starting anew.

Suddenly, Damien stopped in his tracks, causing Riley’s heart to skip a beat. Fearful that he might have remembered something, she turned to find him looking at her intently.

Her heart raced as she faced his deep gaze, and she stammered, "Wh-what is it? Do I... do I have something on my face?"

Seeing the anxiety in Riley’s eyes, Damien smiled affectionately. "No, there’s nothing there. Even though I don’t remember you right now, I promise I’ll fall in love with you again and be the good husband you deserve."

Riley was moved to tears, overwhelmed by emotion. She covered her mouth with her hands, afraid she might start crying. Even though she had manipulated the situation to get to this point, how could she not be touched by a man like this?

However, to Emma Hart, who had witnessed the entire scene, it was nothing short of painful. She knew Damien’s memory was gone, that he didn’t remember her at all, and that his mind had been filled with the idea that Riley Turner was his fiancée, thanks to the old man’s influence.

As they passed each other, Emma couldn’t help but hope, just for a moment, that Damien might recognize her. She yearned for a flicker of recognition in his eyes, but she was hoping for too much.

Damien didn’t spare her a single glance. He had completely forgotten the face of the woman he had once shared a bed with, and they passed each other like strangers on the street.

Emma couldn’t believe it. She followed them from a distance, watching every affectionate interaction between Damien and Riley. The pain in her heart was something only she could understand.

Despite her growing despair, Emma refused to give up. When Damien stopped walking, her heart skipped a beat, thinking maybe he had remembered her. But she was disappointed again.

Hearing Damien promise to love Riley again, each word was like a knife to Emma’s heart. She stood there, stunned, feeling like a fool. Mr. Sterling Senior must be pleased with how things had turned out.

Emma finally stopped following them. She turned around and walked away, trying to forget what she had just seen. She regretted coming out today, wondering if she had hoped to run into Damien by chance.

Riley, still facing Damien, noticed Emma following them. She had been right behind them the whole time, expressionless, her eyes calm like the stillness before a storm.

Riley Turner was lost in the sudden rush of happiness, no longer worried about Emma Hart’s appearance. She chose to savor these rare moments, even if they were fleeting.

In the end, the two of them returned home empty-handed, but Mr. Sterling Senior could clearly sense that the outing had brought them closer together.

Meanwhile, Emma Hart stumbled aimlessly, not knowing where she was or where she was going. She couldn’t pinpoint when she had fallen in love with Damien Sterling—was it after they had a child together? Or when Damien had patiently taught the baby?

Tears blurred Emma’s vision as she walked down the street. For the first time, she felt utterly alone, with nowhere to go.

Matthew Taylor arrived quickly, having received a message from Riley Turner that Emma had witnessed her and Damien’s affectionate moment and had left in a daze. Matthew was frantic and soon got a specific location.

When Matthew Taylor arrived, he saw Emma Hart nearly step into the road, a car screeching to a halt just in time. Matthew’s heart leapt into his throat.

The car driver, furious, yelled, "What the hell? If you want to die, don’t drag me into it! What a damn unlucky day to run into someone like you!"

Emma seemed oblivious to the commotion. Matthew hurried over, offering an apologetic smile. "I’m really sorry, sir. My wife’s been through something at home and isn’t herself right now. Please, forgive us."

Grumbling, the driver drove away. Matthew grabbed Emma, forcibly turning her to face him, and said angrily, "Emma Hart, can you pull yourself together? What are you trying to prove with this half-dead, half-alive act?"

Emma looked at him in confusion, surprised, "Matthew Taylor? What are you doing here?" She shook off his grip, saying, "I’m fine."

Matthew looked at her with pained eyes. "Emma, can you stop being so selfish? You know how I feel about you, yet you keep doing this, making me witness something so terrifying."

Emma gave a small, embarrassed smile and wiped away her tears. "I’m sorry. It won’t happen again. I’m really okay. I wasn’t trying to end my life—I just didn’t know where I was going."

Matthew let out a bitter laugh. "Let me take you home, then. I was just passing by and thought I saw someone who looked like you, so I came to check. And then I saw you walk straight into the road."

Emma’s actions had been unconscious, but now that she was aware, she knew she couldn’t be careless anymore. She had two children to raise.

Emma nodded and agreed to let Matthew take her home. There was no need to worry about Damien Sterling misunderstanding—he wasn’t coming back. He was someone else’s husband now.

She closed her eyes and didn’t know when they got home. When she woke up, Matthew was gone, and she found herself lying in her own bed.