Emily's POV:
We reached our event venue. Jack, Mia, and Stella were with us. Alex was talking to some business partners. I saw Mr. and Mrs. Roy chatting with their relatives.
When we entered the venue, I spotted my mom and dad. I looked at Damon, and he gave me a reassuring smile. I had already asked him on the way, "What if my parents don't attend?"
He simply said he would take care of it, but I didn't know he would really make sure of it. My father seemed to be playing along with Damon's plan, but my mother looked really pissed.
Guests started to wish us. Till now, I hadn't had a chance to speak with Damon's parents. Obviously, they don't like me. Every businessman wants to expand their business through their children's marriages, but here I am — a nobody, with zero qualities for being their daughter-in-law.
Yes, I have accepted this marriage. What do I get by fighting him? Nothing. He will always make sure I have to accept it.
So, no more fighting.
No more blackmails for my family.
No more tears.
I'm fed up with my life. I just want to live my life in peace… but I don't know if he'll grant me that.
Natasha was busy with her friends. My family and friends were busy with my relatives. Damon was beside me, but I was feeling lonely here.
After some time, Damon left, leaving me standing there.
That's when I saw a man coming my way.
Damon wasn't here.
What if I said something wrong talking to him?
"Hello. Congratulations on your wedding," he said with a polite smile.
"Thank you… thank you for attending," I replied politely.
But he didn't leave. I had to stand there, smiling, pretending to greet other guests.
"I can make you free from this marriage," he suddenly said.
My eyes widened in shock. What did he just say?
"Excuse me?" I asked, stunned.
"I can make you free from this marriage… if you help me with something," he said calmly.
"Who are you? Are you even invited here? And what nonsense are you talking?" I asked, still smiling so as not to make a scene.
"Yes, I was invited. And my name is Sam."
"Then go and enjoy the party," I said and turned my head away.
"I know you were forced to marry him… and I can help you."
My eyes widened so much, they could pop out of their sockets.
How does he know that?
Is he one of Damon's friends testing me?
"What nonsense," I said, forcing a smile. "We love each other and got married. Don't you watch the news?"
"They only show what we want them to show. But I know what's behind it — about your family, your ex, Noah, and this marriage to Damon. I know everything."
Damon told me he would take care of everything. How did this man find out?
"Who are you? Media?" I asked sharply.
"No. I'm his rival in this industry," he said.
What?!
"Then how did you come here?"
"He invited me. To show off his life," Sam said with a smirk.
"What do you want?"
"I want your help with something. Are you willing to help me?"
I needed to know what he wanted — so I could tell Damon.
"What is that?" I asked, scanning the crowd for Damon, but he was still busy with guests.
"We are both competing for a project. If he loses it, he will lose half of his fortune."
Half of his fortune?
This must be serious. If Damon loses, thousands of employees could lose their jobs.
"And how does that get me out of this marriage?" I asked carefully.
"After he loses, he will be in a mess. Then, I'll help you get a divorce and leave this country."
I gasped.
Yes, what Damon did to me was wrong… but after that, he never harmed me. I had accepted this marriage. He was good to me.
I couldn't get revenge like this.
If he loses this project, thousands will be unemployed. I have to tell Damon about this man.
"I don't know what information you want or how I would even get it," I told him.
"I just want a file. It's in the locker in his study room."
A spy? How does he even know that?
"There must be so many files. How will I know which one?"
"A black file with an 'M' letter on the bottom right corner."
This man is dangerous.
"I'll try," I replied quickly, just to escape this conversation.
I excused myself and went to Natasha.
After some time, Natasha asked me, "Did you meet your in-laws yet?"
"No. How am I supposed to meet them? Damon is busy… he left me." I pointed to Damon, who was talking to some woman his age.
Natasha laughed seeing my expression.
"Be careful when you meet Damon's mother — Aurora Roy," she said suddenly.
"What do you mean by careful?"
I was already scared of my mother-in-law since childhood. And now Natasha was making me even more nervous.
"She's very strict. Even Uncle Henry and Damon are nothing in front of her. She always scolds me for everything… even now."
Perfect timing — my mother-in-law noticed us and started walking toward us.
"Hel… Hello… Mrs. Roy," I greeted nervously. Natasha immediately escaped.
"You're family now. You can call me Mom. 'Mrs. Roy' is for outsiders," she said with a warm smile.
Her smile reminded me of my own mother, and I smiled back.
"Was Natasha complaining about me?" she asked.
"No… no," I said quickly.
"Even if you lie to me, I know her better than anyone," she said with a small smile. "She's a rebel. Henry and Damon spoiled her even more. After her mother died, her father was busy building his business, so she lived with us most of the time. There has to be at least one person in a family to keep the children on the right path. In this family, I'm that person. For her, I'm the devil in her story."
I couldn't help but smile at that.
"I think I can relate to you," I said.
She looked at me curiously. I told her about Stella and this morning in the study, and she smiled knowingly.
"Mom, I want to ask you something," I said.
"Go ahead."
I pointed toward Sam.
"Who is he?"
"Why?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"He came to wish me earlier. He said he's Damon's rival. Then why is he here?"
She laughed softly. "That's the specialty of this father and son," she said.
Then her expression softened.
"I'm sorry for what Damon did. I know forcing you to marry him was wrong… but after doing a background check on you, I put my faith in you — that you would love him and take care of him. After what happened to him one and a half years ago, I hope you'll understand him."
"What happened to him?" I asked, seeing tears well up in her eyes.
"Give him some time. Eventually, he'll tell you everything," she said softly.
. . .
After attending all the guests, Damon finally came to my side, holding two glasses of wine.
He handed me one and said, "Don't drink… just hold it."
"Why not? I'll drink," I said, holding the glass near my lips.
"Are you sure you can handle yourself after drinking?" he asked.
That was enough. I put the glass back on the waiter's tray and looked away.
He kept staring at me, and I felt so embarrassed.
Oh right… I had to tell him about Sam.
"Damon," I called softly.
He looked at me.
"I want to tell you something."
"What's that?" he asked.
Just then, music started playing, and all couples moved to the dance floor.
"Can I have the pleasure, Mrs. Roy?" Damon asked like a true gentleman.
If only he had proposed for marriage like this…
Did I mention he looks breathtaking in this black suit?
Our feet moved in sync with the music. His fragrance surrounded me, intoxicating me.
But something had changed. His eyes looked at me with something new — concern?
"Why did you do that?" I asked weakly.
He looked at me, confused.
"Our marriage…"
Oh no. What did I just ask?
I don't know what got into me. Whenever I dance, I get emotional. Since childhood, I've danced when I'm happy, sad, or angry.
"Don't ask me about that," he said quietly and continued dancing, avoiding my eyes.
His mother, Natasha, and even the staff always say good things about him.
But why did he do this to me?
His family accepts me as their daughter-in-law… but will he ever accept me as his wife?
Will I ever accept him as my husband?
"Now only the newly married couple will dance!" someone announced.
The music changed to a fast beat — my favorite song.
This song, this dance, changed my entire mood. His moves were so smooth. If I weren't a dancer, I wouldn't have been able to match his pace.
Something about Damon felt different now.
Maybe it was what his mom had told me earlier?
He lifted me up and gently placed me back on my feet… then suddenly, he kissed me.
Kissed me?!
And this time, his kiss only deepened.
Guests were cheering — for our dance? Or for the kiss?
I tried to break free, but he held my hand firmly.
Only when he was breathless did he finally pull away. He leaned forward, resting his forehead against mine.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
I didn't ask anything after that.
. . .
The party ended, and we were on our way home.
"Damon," I called softly.
His eyes were closed.
"I thought you were sleeping."
"No, just thinking about something work-related," he replied, still not opening his eyes.
"Okay… can we talk when we reach home?"
He opened his eyes, tilted his head toward me, and nodded.
. . .
We reached home.
"Damon—"
"Can we talk about it tomorrow? I'm really tired," he said, looking lost in thought.
"Yeah… no problem," I said softly.
I went to my room, dropping my dress on the floor before heading straight to the bathroom for a hot bath.
After bathing, I jumped onto the bed wearing just an oversized T-shirt.
Someone knocked on the door.
I thought it was Ava, so I opened it — but Damon stood there.
His eyes scanned me from head to toe.
"Ugh… you wanted to talk about something?" I asked, awkwardly pulling the shirt lower under his gaze.