Damon's POV
The burden of deception weighed heavy on my shoulders as I drove toward Crestwood. I'd managed to escape Sasha's clutches temporarily, but my mind remained restless. After considerable deliberation, I decided a Sunday visit to my parents was necessary to address the sudden reappearance of my not-quite-ex-wife. My plan was simple: drive to Crestwood, confront my father about this mess, and rush back to Brooklyn—back to Maya.
I hated myself for lying to her, telling her I was on call when I was actually confronting demons from my past. But what choice did I have? If Maya discovered that Sasha had somehow nullified our divorce and I was technically still married, she would leave me without a second thought. Her strong moral compass wouldn't allow for complications like this. I couldn't risk losing her, not when she'd become everything to me.
Raymond was waiting in his silver Audi when I arrived, his familiar face a welcome sight amid the turmoil.
