The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 450

Chapter 198: A Promise Worth the War-1

The rich, spiced aroma of cocoa curled through the quiet morning air, a gentle warmth that stood in sharp contrast to the icy precision of Damien’s thoughts.

They spoke in low, measured tones-the kind of conversation that only exists between those bound by blood, trust, and burdens too heavy to name.

Dahlia’s eyes softened as she leaned slightly forward. “Is everything ready for Hudson and Cruz’s arrival at the company this morning?” she asked.

Damien nodded, his tone clipped but steady. “Monroe has it all under control. I told Ashcroft to meet me in my office in three hours.”

It was a casual exchange of logistics, yet the air between them remained thick with the unspoken stakes of the coming hours.

Dahlia nodded, then lifted her cup and took a slow sip of cocoa, letting the warmth ground her for a moment.

Her gaze lingered on her son over the rim, tracing the sharp lines of his face, the controlled set of

his shoulders. He sat there, composed and formidable, yet the truth was clear: while his body remained anchored to the patio chair, his mind had already wandered miles away, entangled in the labyrinth of strategy and stakes that never seemed to rest.

A sudden, sharp pang of pity struck her-not because of what he couldn’t do, but because of everything he could.

[She looked at the lines of tension in his face and realized that the weight of their name, the crushing gravity of their legacy, hadn’t just settled on him when he became a man. It had been

there long before he ever had a choice.

Before he was even born, the world had already decided who he had to be.

He hadn’t just forgotten the date; he had entirely lost track of himself in the process of protecting everyone else.

“I hadn’t even noticed,” he admitted quietly, his brow still knit in that same perplexed line. “James normally handles all that stuff.”

Dahlia felt that sting of pity sharpen. To the rest of the world, he was a titan, a man who saw every move ten steps ahead. But here, in the morning light, he was just a son who had forgotten he was allowed to have a day that belonged only to him.

“Well, it is,” Dahlia said, her tone firm but laced with a mother’s underlying tenderness. “And while I know the world is demanding everything from you right now, I hope you’ll leave a little room for yourself. Or at least,” she added with a knowing tilt of her head, “for you and Maya.” Damien’s expression softened at the mention of her name, the furrow in his brow finally smoothing out.

“You know what?” Dahlia said, her voice regaining its steady strength as she set her cup down. “

You’re turning thirty-six, Damien. Ever since you were a boy, you’ve always had these huge birthday parties. But let’s admit it, son-those lavish events are more for pleasantries and business than for celebrating what the occasion actually means.”