We both were silent for more than fifteen minutes. Then I broke the silence.
Emily: "Thanks for being good with Stella."
He only nodded, not even looking at my face. His thoughts seemed far away, lost in something deep. The way to his house was quiet—too quiet.
When we finally entered, I froze. A villa. I had never seen such a big house in my entire life. There was a pool a little away from the main entrance; I only caught a glimpse of it. Damon walked straight inside, ignoring me completely.
The hallway stretched endlessly. I wanted to ask where I should rest, but he didn't even bother to look at me. Without a word, he went upstairs, leaving me standing there, alone and confused. I didn't even see any maids.
Voice: "Why are you standing here?"
I turned and saw his secretary entering.
Emily: "He just left… not even bothering about where I should stay."
He glanced upstairs to check if Damon was still around, then lowered his voice.
Secretary: "Give him some time."
Emily: "What? Give him some time? I should be the one saying that! You people blackmailed me into this marriage, and now you're asking me to give him time?"
He shut his eyes tightly for a moment, then opened them again with a calmer expression.
Secretary: "See, Emily… In the daytime, I'm his secretary. But after work, I'm his friend. About this marriage—you two need to discuss that. I have no say."
I blinked at his words. Oh, so he wasn't only a secretary, but also Damon's friend?
Secretary: "Do you want to stay upstairs or here?"
Since Damon had gone upstairs, I assumed that meant his room was there. It would be better if I stayed downstairs.
Emily: "I'll stay here."
Secretary: "Go to any room you feel comfortable in."
He called one of the maids to show me the rooms. I lost count—ten or more. Finally, I chose one. The maid placed my luggage inside.
Maid: "If you need anything, I'll be in the room beside the kitchen."
Emily: "Your name?"
Maid: "Avery. You can call me Ava. I'm the head maid here."
Emily:smiling "I'm Emily."
She smiled back and left.
I collapsed onto the bed, too exhausted to think about my problems. Within minutes, I was asleep.
I felt a hand on my cheek but couldn't open my eyes. Too weak. I rolled to the side and drifted again… but suddenly the thought hit me:
This isn't my home. This is Damon's house. What if he does something? Earlier… was that his hand?
My eyes snapped open, heart pounding. The room was pitch dark.
Emily:whispering "Is there anyone?"
No reply. Only a strong but pleasant aroma filled the air, calming my nerves. I switched on the bedside lamp and checked—no one was there. Relieved, I lay back down and drifted into a deeper, peaceful sleep.
Damon's POV
In the ride home, my mind replayed Maria's words. She used to ask me about my future wife. "Will you keep her happy?" Stella's question tonight brought it all back.
Back at the villa, I went straight to my room, lit a cigarette, and stood by the window. The sky blurred as memories of Maria rushed in. Tears fell, but I wiped them quickly. Maria had made me promise never to cry after her funeral. Even if I wanted to scream my grief, I couldn't.
Her photo hung on the wall. My day begins and ends with her.
Hours passed before I remembered Emily. I hadn't even asked where she was staying. I reached for my phone, ready to call Alex, but he'd already messaged:
Alex:Emily is in the room next to the pool.
That's why I valued him—not only as my secretary, but my brother. He never failed me, never gave me reason to complain. After Maria, he had been my anchor.
I went to Emily's room. The door was unlocked. She was asleep, looking fragile, exhausted… innocent. Too innocent to be accused of betraying me.
I stood by her bed, then sat beside her. She didn't stir. I kept staring at her lips—the same lips that once kissed me. Without realizing why, I leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
Why did I do that?
I brushed her cheek lightly. She stirred and rolled to the other side. I smiled faintly and left before she could wake.
Her whisper followed me in the hallway:
Emily: "Is there anyone?"
I chuckled quietly and went to the bar. Pouring myself a glass of wine, I drank in silence, then returned to my room. Sleep came while staring at Maria's picture.
Next Day – Emily's POV
I woke up with a small smile, praying today would be smooth. After freshening up, I was lost in thought—Should I face Damon? What would I even say?
A knock interrupted me.
Emily: "The door's open, come in."
I realized I had forgotten to lock it last night. Ava entered with a lady doctor.
Doctor: "Mrs. Roy, please sit. I just came to check on you."
Emily: "Why? And… did you just call me Mrs. Roy?"
Doctor: "For your wrist dressing." smiling
I sat quietly while she worked. After she left, Ava stayed back.
Ava: "Is it painful?"
I nodded. She encouraged me to join breakfast, assuring me Damon would leave soon for work.
But then—shouts echoed through the house. A woman's voice.
Curious, I stepped out and saw a young woman, maybe my age, scolding the maids harshly.
Emily: "Who are you, and why are you shouting at them?"
Woman: "Who the hell dares to talk back to me?"
She turned, scanned me from head to toe, and smirked. Before she could say more—
Damon: "Natasha! Upstairs. Now."
His voice thundered from the staircase. He stood in a robe, hair wet, clearly fresh from the shower, irritation in every word.
Natasha? Who was she? His girlfriend? He called her upstairs to his room? My stomach twisted.
Then Damon's eyes shifted to me.
Damon: "Ava, get breakfast ready. I'll be there in ten minutes."
He didn't break eye contact with me before leaving.
Later, Ava explained Natasha was Damon's cousin, not girlfriend. I sighed in relief, embarrassed by my earlier thoughts.
At breakfast, the massive table could seat fifteen. Damon sat in the middle, Natasha and Alex beside him. Ava placed me on his right.
In silence, I ate until Damon pushed a file toward me.
Damon: "Have a look at this. Tomorrow there's a press conference we both must attend."
I froze.
Damon: "Do you have anything to say?"
Emily: "Can you attend alone? I'll stay here. I won't do anything stupid again."
Damon: "We both have to attend. We're announcing our marriage and the reception party in front of the media."
My jaw nearly dropped. He rose to leave with Alex.
Emily: "Excuse me, Mr. Roy."
He stopped.
Emily: "I need to speak with you. Privately."
We went to my room.
Emily: "You promised me you'd tell Noah the truth if I married you. Can you tell him now?"
He raised his brows.
Damon: "Sure. But only after the press conference."
I nodded slowly.
Emily: "Almost all my friends know about me and Noah. What if reporters reach them—or him—after this?"
Damon: "Don't worry. I'll take care of everything."
His tone carried his usual arrogance. Was that attitude really necessary now?