Damon's POV:
"You asked me what I want for my birthday? … Can you help me find my birth family?" she asked and dozed off.
I was trying to ask her if she wanted me to find them — but to my surprise, she asked herself.
Emily's POV:
I woke up feeling a warm hug around me.
I lifted my face and saw a sleepy Damon. His eyes were closed, his breath was labored. I tightened my arms around his waist to feel his skin.
This is such a nice feeling — one I want for eternity.
Wait… no way!
I looked under the sheets and gasped. I was naked. Damon too. We were only in our underwear.
I didn't remember anything from last night.
I asked for a drink, he denied — but I resisted until he agreed. What happened after that? And why am I like this?
And he?
I got up, holding my throbbing head. He stirred at the loss of my touch and opened his eyes.
"You're up?" he asked, closing his eyes again.
"Did something happen last night?" I asked, instantly catching his attention.
"Yes… not just something — a lot happened last night." He sat up, his eyes moving to my chest that was barely covered by my bra.
I clutched the bedsheet tightly to cover my body.
"No way… you don't remember anything?" he asked, shocked.
I shook my head.
"Come on, Emmi… how can you forget such a beautiful night? I'm so disappointed in you," he said, lowering his head.
"But you said you wouldn't touch me while I was drunk," I reminded him.
"Yes," he said with a shrug. "But what should I do when you were throwing yourself at me? You're such a beauty… how can I control myself in front of this heavenly body?"
He looked at my lips. I looked away, trying not to cry.
This was not how I imagined my first time with him.
I ruined everything.
"I'm your husband, Emily. Why are you feeling sad?" he asked softly.
I cleared my throat. "This is not what I expected."
"What do you mean?" he asked curiously.
"I imagined our first time to be perfect and beautiful… with flow, with full of emotions… and… and… but I ruined everything as usual." My voice cracked.
He suddenly pulled the sheet from my body and pushed me back to the bed, pinning me down with his hands on either side.
Everything happened in a second.
He tapped my head lightly with one hand. "Silly girl… why would you believe everything I said?"
I blinked at him, confused.
"Nothing happened," he said finally.
I sighed with relief.
"Do you think you'd be able to walk if we had sex?" he smirked.
I flushed.
"Do you want me to explain what will happen to you after having sex with me?" he teased, and when I didn't answer, he continued.
"These rose-petal lips will be swollen," he said, holding my lips and licking them lightly — sending shivers down my spine.
I clenched the bedsheet in my fists.
He moved to my neck. "This heaven-like neck will be full of hickeys."
He licked my neck and stayed there for a while, breathing heavily.
I closed my eyes, feeling dizzy with desire.
I could feel his manhood throbbing against his boxer shorts. I curled my feet, feeling him down there.
He unbuttoned my bra and cupped one breast in his hand.
"These will be gifted with my teeth marks…" he said, licking my nipple.
Then, going down, he stopped at my waist.
"This curvy waist will be full of my handprints… when I will be f***ing you."
He looked right into my eyes and touched my core.
I closed my eyes, feeling heat shoot through my entire body. I was so wet from his teasing, and he knew it.
"You won't be able to walk, baby."
Then — slap.
He smacked my pussy, making me moan, "Mmmm…"
"But not right now," he whispered.
His words dragged me back from the edge.
I looked into his smirking face.
"Ahhh, this Damon and his games!" I thought.
I pushed him aside and covered myself with the bedsheet.
"Get up. I'll wait for you at breakfast," he said, picking up his shirt and pants from the floor.
He left the room, but I stayed there for a while, processing everything.
We had breakfast together quietly. Then he left for the office while I stayed home, doing my work.
Later, I was getting ready for shopping. This time Damon promised for sure.
It had been six months since our marriage. In these months, he had been busy exploring his business in other countries. He came home twice a week and left again for business trips.
Every day, I waited for him — even though I knew he wouldn't come.
Finally, his business succeeded and he would stay home from today.
I wore a blue A-line dress that Damon had arranged for me and waited in the living room.
"Mrs. Roy, Mr. Roy is waiting for you in the car," his driver informed me.
I rushed to the car where Damon was waiting, holding the door open for me.
Instead of getting in, I hugged him tightly.
He wrapped his arms around me for a warm hug.
We left the villa, our car roaming through the roads of L.A.
I turned to look at Damon — I missed him so much.
His head was leaned back, his eyes closed.
"Stop checking me out!" he said suddenly, smirking.
"We can go back and shop some other time if you're tired," I said, noticing his dark circles.
"Honey, I can handle this much stress for you. It's been a while since we went on a date," he said, holding my hand.
He leaned on my shoulder to take a nap.
At the mall, we went straight to the VIP section.
"Damon, we can shop like a normal couple. Why VIP section?" I asked, feeling uncomfortable.
"You want this mall's owner to shop like a normal couple? Media will be outside. If we go like a normal couple, they'll corner us — that would be even more uncomfortable, honey."
I nodded — he was right.
He picked a purple V-line dress for me, and I selected a black suit for him.
We held hands and walked to the parking lot.
His bodyguards and Alex followed us.
Damon opened the car door for me, and I hopped into the back seat. He was about to join me — but suddenly froze.
Instead of getting in, he stood still, staring outside.
I tapped the window to get his attention — but he ran toward the exit.
Alarmed, I jumped out of the car and followed him, Alex close behind.
I saw Damon holding a woman's hand — then she left after a brief chat.
People had started taking videos.
"Damon, what happened? Who is she?" I asked, panting.
But he jerked his hand away and walked toward the parking lot with long strides.
Even Alex couldn't stop him.
I rushed to Alex. "Alex, what happened to him?"
He didn't answer, just instructed the bodyguards to clear the videos at any cost.
"Don't worry, Emily. He didn't get much sleep — he's just stressed. I'll take care of it. Let's go."
Our car arrived, and I got in.
"Where is Damon?" I asked the driver.
"Mr. Roy already left, Madam."
My mind was full of questions.
I reached home, hoping he was in his room. I went straight there and knocked, but there was no response from the other side. I went to the kitchen and saw Ava.
Me: "Ava, where is Damon?"
She looked at me, confused.
Ava: "You both left for shopping… he should be with you!"
She clearly had no idea what happened. I excused myself and went to my room. I picked up my phone to call Damon, but his phone was switched off.
I tried calling Alex, but he wasn't picking up either.
I told the driver to take me to Damon's office. I took the private elevator, only to find his office empty.
I didn't know whom to call next. I scrolled through my contacts and saw Natasha's number. Without wasting any time, I dialed.
Natasha: "Hey."
Me: "Natasha, I want to talk to you. Can we meet now?"
Natasha: "Sorry, Emily. I'm with my friends outside the country. We'll meet when I get back."
Me: "But this—"
I heard someone calling her name in the background.
Natasha: "Emily, I have to go. I'll call you later. Bye."
She cut the call without asking anything.
I didn't know if I should call his mom or dad. I came back home and waited for him to return.
What on earth happened there? Did he see someone familiar? If that's the case, then why would he be so angry and upset at that moment? Where the hell is he?
I held my head in both hands, thinking about what might have happened.
He can share his problems with me, right? I won't judge him. I am an open book in front of him, but he is a mystery to me even after six months. I just realized that I don't know anything about him, but he knows everything about me. He takes care of me and considers every tiny detail about me… but what about me? I was so selfish for love that I didn't consider his feelings, his emotions. I just went along with the flow, whatever he was doing…
. . .
It had been two days, and there was still no sign of Damon or Alex.
I didn't have any other choice. Gathering courage, I dialed Damon's mother's number.
Mom: "Hello, Emily… How are you?"
Me: "Mom… I'm fine. How are you and Dad?"
Mom: "We are great, Emily."
Me: "Mom, I want to talk to you about something."
Mom: "Yeah sure. It's been a while since we met. How about you come here, and we'll talk about it?"
Me: "Okay Mom, I'll be there soon."
I hung up. It was better to speak in person.
Without wasting time, I went outside where our car was parked and told the driver to take me to the Roy Mansion.
On the way, I was rehearsing how to tell Mom everything that happened. Will she get angry for not taking care of her son? She believed me as her daughter-in-law, but I failed her.
I reached the mansion. Mom welcomed me warmly and served me coffee and snacks.
Me: "Mom, Damon hasn't been home for three days."
She stopped midway, holding her cookie.
Mom: "What happened?"
Her calm tone was the opposite of what I imagined.
I told her everything.
Mom: "Don't worry, he'll come home tonight."
Me: "Did he inform you where he is? Mom, he is not picking my calls, nor Alex. Where is he? Tell me… I want to meet him!"
The tears I had been holding back for three days started flowing.
Mom: "Girl, don't cry. He is on a business meeting. He went to an island — there are no signals to call you. That must be the reason."
Me: "Then how do you know?"
Mom: "I have my sources." She smiled.
Me: "He is safe, right?"
Wherever he was, whatever he was doing, I just wanted him to be safe.
Mom: "Yes, he is safe."
She wiped my tears.
I had breakfast with Mom and Dad. After Dad left for the company, Mom got busy with a call. I was reading a magazine when she asked:
Mom: "Emily, I want you to meet my friend and her family. Are you okay with it?"
Me: "Of course, I'm okay, Mom."
Mom: "Then shall we start?"
She grabbed her purse.
Me: "Now?"
Mom: "Yes, honey." She smiled.
Me: "Okay, Mom."
I put the magazine on the table and followed her.
We saw Natasha in the living room.
Mom: "Natasha, we are going to Mrs. Wilson's home. Wanna come?"
Natasha: "No, Aunt. I have a meeting. You two carry on."
She boarded her car and left.
Mom started driving, and I was looking out at the passing buildings, lost in thoughts about Damon.
After some time, we were outside the city. We reached a beautiful Brady Bunch–style house.
We were welcomed by a sweet old lady.
Mom: "How are you?"
They hugged warmly.
She looked at me, waiting for Mom to introduce me.
Mom: "She is Emily — Damon's wife."
Me: "Hello, Mrs. Wilson."
Mrs. Wilson: "Hello, Emily."
We chatted for a while. Soon, an old man appeared.
Mr. Wilson: "Hey Aroura, when did you come?"
Mom: "While you were sleeping like a giant." She laughed.
We all chatted, and later I got bored, so I decided to help Mrs. Wilson in the kitchen.
Me: "Need some help?"
She chuckled.
Mrs. Wilson: "How's Damon?"
I couldn't tell her what was happening between us.
Me: "He's fine. He's just been very busy with business lately."
Mrs. Wilson: "Take good care of him. Don't leave him alone apart from business time."
Me: "From when do you know Damon?"
Mrs. Wilson: "Since he was born."
My eyes widened.
Me: "So you know everything about him…"
Mrs. Wilson: "Want to see his childhood pictures?"
Me: "I would love to."
We went to her room, and she showed me an album filled with Damon's pictures — from the day he was born to his graduation, his trips with Alex… and Sam?
Me: "Why is he here?"
Mrs. Wilson: "They are best friends."
Me: "Friends? But he said he is Damon's enemy!"
She chuckled.
Mrs. Wilson: "You have a lot to learn about Damon. Sam and Damon are enemies in public, but they are best friends."
I was stunned.
Me: "But… but… he said…"
Mrs. Wilson: "You know Sam?"
I nodded and told her everything about our reception party.
Mrs. Wilson: "Damon just used Sam to test you — to see if you were loyal to him."
My jaw dropped.
Mrs. Wilson: "Emily, don't take it the wrong way. Henry and Damon built an empire through their hard work. It shouldn't be collapsed by a woman. If you failed that test, you wouldn't be here. Which means you are qualified to be his wife — the queen of his heart and his empire."
I nodded, understanding her point.
Mrs. Wilson: "Do you have any idea how happy he was when he found out he could trust you?"
I remembered that night when I saw the gun in Damon's hand, and he threw it away before hugging me.
Me: "Yes, I think I know." I smiled.
We continued looking at pictures.
Me: "Who is she?"
I pointed to a girl who appeared in many photos.
Mrs. Wilson: "She is my daughter, Maria."
Her voice softened.
Me: "Where is she now?"
Mrs. Wilson: "She is far away from us."
Me: "Abroad?"
She nodded.
I put the album aside, held her hands, and said softly:
Me: "You should be happy that she is building a great career. She must be at peace knowing you are okay."
Then I told her everything about my own parents and childhood. She cupped my face.
Mrs. Wilson: "Whenever you miss your mom or feel down, come here. You are always welcome. We can't take away your pain, but we can stand with you."
Tears rolled down my cheeks — happy tears this time.
Me: "When Damon and I got married in haste, I thought my life was over. But it was the best moment of my life. He gave me such a beautiful family… and now you."
She smiled and hugged me.
Later, we had lunch together. While passing through the hallway, I saw a woman's picture and stopped.
Mrs. Wilson: "She is Maria."
Me: "She's so beautiful."
I stared at the picture.
Mrs. Wilson: "She looks familiar, right?"
I nodded.
After our farewells, Mom and I left.
Mom: "How do you feel after visiting?"
Me: "They are so sweet. But Mrs. Wilson still misses her daughter… How many years has it been since she went abroad?"
Mom: "Six years."
I nodded. The rest of the ride was silent.
. . .
Moonlight filled the sky, but there was still no sign of Damon. I stood by the window, looking at the moon.
Then I heard a car outside. Excited, I ran to the door — it had to be Damon.
Alex and Damon stepped out. Alex said goodbye and left.
I was relieved Damon was finally home, but I had so many questions.
I stood at the doorsteps, but Damon walked past me without a glance.
Me: "Damon?"
He stopped.
Me: "Damon… what happened to you? I was waiting like a mad girl, and you're just leaving?"
He turned. His face was filled with rage.
His steps became faster as he came toward me.
Suddenly, he grabbed my neck and pushed me against the wall.
Me: "Dam… Damon… wh-what are you doing?"
I tried to breathe and push him away, but he pinned my hands to the wall.
His blue eyes turned dark, veins popping with anger.
Damon: "How dare you interfere in my personal life?"
I had no idea what he was talking about.
Me: "I don't know what you're talking about… just leave me!"
Tears streamed down my cheeks as I struggled to breathe.
Damon: "Don't take me for granted just because we live under the same roof. Just because you have the Mrs. Roy tag doesn't mean you can do anything! You are just a stepping stone for my reputation, nothing more."
He choked me so hard that my feet were off the ground.
Me: "Dam… Damon… you're… killing me…"
He finally let go, and I fell to the floor.
Without a glance, he left.
Damon's POV:
I went straight to my room after that f***ing discussion with my so-called wife.
I removed the cloth covering Maria's pictures and just stood there, admiring her.
I remembered the day I mistook someone for Maria and ran after her. Emily followed me and asked what happened, but I jerked her away and left her there.
I didn't care if she was my wife by name — I only love Maria.
I switched off my phone and went to my other mansion. Alex followed me and stayed there with me for three days.
This morning, Alex got a call from my mother, threatening me to come back home or I wouldn't get a single cent of property.
She dared to take Emily to Maria's home.
And Emily dared to go there?
After this incident, Emily won't f***ing dare to go to my mom asking my whereabouts again.