After seeing his mother off, Damson didn't return home.
Instead, he drove to an expensive apartment far more luxurious than the house he shared with Maya.
He stood outside the door for a moment, anxiety etched across his face, then knocked.
The door opened to reveal a beautiful, impeccably dressed woman.
"Hey, darling," she purred, wrapping her arms around him. "What took you so long?"
She kissed him without waiting for an answer, pulling him inside. The door shut behind them.
They kissed again, deep and familiar until she suddenly pulled away.
"Wait," she said, her expression sharpening. "What did you tell your stupid mute wife before coming here?"
"Come on, Bella," Damson snapped. "She doesn't deserve an explanation. I can be wherever I want, with whoever I want."
Bella smiled at first, clearly pleased but then her face turned serious.
"Listen carefully, Damson," she said coolly. "I am not speaking to my father about giving you that big position at the company until you leave her and file for divorce."
Damson let out a heavy sigh. "Bella, we've talked about this so many times. I can't divorce her right now."
He ran a hand through his hair, frustration written all over him.
"She's heavily pregnant. And even after she gives birth, it would still look bad. She might take me to court."
Bella's eyes darkened.
"Then forget about me and forget that huge position," Bella snapped. "If you can't come up with a way to get rid of her stupid face and that mute life."
She turned away angrily.
Damson rushed after her and caught her hand. "Bella, don't be angry," he pleaded. "Of course I'll come up with a solution. Trust me."
Bella stopped and looked at him. "Do you love me?" she asked quietly.
Damson didn't hesitate. "Of course I love you."
His voice hardened as he continued, "I don't love her anymore. It's you I love. You're prettier, classier. You have a great figure, a bright future "
He scoffed. "And most importantly, you can actually talk… unlike her."
They both laughed.
Bella's anger melted into satisfaction. She took his hand and led him toward the bedroom.
It was already 2 a.m.
Damson had just stepped out of the shower when he noticed his phone vibrating nonstop on the table.
He glanced at the screen and sighed.
Maya.
Are you okay, honey?
Did something happen?
Why aren't you picking up?
If you see this message, please call me. I'm worried.
He scoffed quietly.
I can't believe you, he thought coldly. Tonight I'm finally free from you and you still want me to call you.
He tossed the phone aside.
Bella, already lying comfortably on the bed, looked at him with curiosity. "Is that your mute wife?"
He nodded.
She rolled her eyes. "Gosh, I really hate her. Can't she see that you don't want her anymore?"
Bella smirked. "You should get rid of her. Definitely."
Damson didn't respond.
He climbed into the bed beside her, pushing the thought of Maya and everything she represented far from his mind.
Maya's Pov
Maya cooked the food as she always did.
She prepared everything carefully, placing the dishes on the table and waiting for Damson. She was used to him coming home late, but tonight felt different too late. Especially since he had only gone to see his mother off.
She tried calling him.
No answer.
She sent message after message, her fingers trembling slightly.
Is he okay? she wondered.
Damson had always been rude to Maya, yet she never stopped hoping that one day he would change that he would become the kind, caring person he used to be. She stayed with him because she didn't want her child to grow up without a father. Deep down, she believed that one day he would love her again.
When the food grew cold, Maya didn't go to their bedroom.
She curled up on the couch instead.
When she woke up later, the house was still silent.
Damson hadn't returned.
Panic rushed through her. She quickly freshened up, her heart racing, hoping that maybe he had gone out early for work and was safe.
After getting ready, she grabbed the house keys and moved toward the door.
The moment she opened it, she froze.
Damson stood right there.
Alive.
Laughing.
And he wasn't alone.
His arm was wrapped around a beautiful woman's waist, holding her close as they laughed together, carefree and happy.
Maya stood there, completely still.
Then Bella slowly turned to Maya and said with disgust, "Is this your mute, useless wife? She's even uglier than I thought!"