Old Enemy

Chapter 14: Old Enemy

I hadn’t been back to my apartment in days.

Damien had insisted I stay at the penthouse after Elena’s call, and honestly, I hadn’t fought him. The thought of returning to my small, lonely space after everything that had happened felt wrong. But I needed clothes. I needed my laptop for work. Most of all, I needed a moment to breathe without Damien’s overwhelming presence constantly reminding me how deeply I had fallen.

The car dropped me off in front of my building. Damien had wanted to send security with me, but I convinced him I’d be fine for one hour. Just one hour.

I should have known better.

I had just unlocked my door when I heard heels clicking behind me.

“Running back to your little rat hole already?”

Bianca’s voice was sweet poison.

I turned slowly. She stood at the end of the hallway looking flawless as always — tight white dress, perfect makeup, and that fake fragile smile she wore like armor. But her eyes were sharp. Calculating.

“What are you doing here, Bianca?” I asked, keeping my voice steady.

She stepped closer, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. “I came to talk. Woman to woman. Alex is falling apart because of you. Did you know that?”

I pushed the door open but didn’t invite her in. “He made his choice at the pool. He chose you. Remember?”

She laughed softly, a delicate sound that didn’t reach her eyes. “Oh, Isla. Sweet, naïve Isla. You really think this is about me? Alex has been miserable since you left. He cries at night, you know. He keeps saying he should’ve saved you first. That he lost the only good thing he ever had.”

My chest tightened. Three years of memories flooded back — Alex’s rare soft moments, the way he used to hold me after a long day, the promises he made when things were good.

Bianca must have seen the flicker in my eyes because she stepped closer, lowering her voice like we were old friends sharing secrets.

“He loves you, Isla. He always has. I was just… a distraction. A childhood habit. But you? You were his rock. And now his own father has stolen you like some kind of sick trophy.” Her voice cracked beautifully. “Do you have any idea how much pain you’re causing?”

For a moment — just a moment — I felt sorry for her. For both of them. The guilt I had been trying to bury rose up again, choking me.

Bianca reached out and touched my arm gently. “Come back to him. We can figure this out. The three of us. I’ll step back. I promise. Just… don’t do this to him. Don’t let that monster ruin all of us.”

*Monster.*

The word snapped me out of it.

I pulled my arm away. “You’re good,” I said quietly. “I almost believed you for a second.”

Bianca’s expression shifted. The fragile mask cracked, revealing the sharp, venomous girl underneath.

“You think you’re special?” she hissed, dropping all pretense. “You’re just fresh pussy to him. Damien Voss gets bored easily. He’ll fuck you, knock you up, then throw you away just like he did to Elena. And when he does, Alex won’t want you back. You’ll be used goods. Damaged. Just another one of Daddy’s discarded whores.”

The words stung, but something inside me finally broke free.

I stepped forward, forcing her to back up.

“You know what, Bianca?” My voice was calm, steady, stronger than I’d ever heard it. “I’m done. Done letting you manipulate me. Done competing with you. Done feeling guilty for choosing myself for once.”

I looked her dead in the eyes.

“You and Alex planned that pool incident, didn’t you? Or at least you pushed for it. You wanted me gone. And guess what? I’m glad it happened. Because it led me to someone who actually sees me. Someone who makes me feel wanted instead of tolerated.”

Bianca’s face twisted with rage. “You stupid little bitch—”

“No,” I cut her off. “*You’re* the bitch. The desperate, pathetic one who has to fake heart conditions and childhood sweethearts just to keep a man who never really wanted you. Stay away from me. Stay away from Damien. And if you ever come near me again, I won’t be this nice.”

I stepped inside my apartment and slammed the door in her face.

The silence that followed felt like victory.

My hands were shaking, but for the first time since the pool party, I felt powerful. I wasn’t the quiet, understanding girlfriend anymore. I wasn’t second choice.

I was Damien’s.

And I was finally starting to like her.

I quickly packed a bag with clothes and my laptop, my heart still racing from the confrontation. As I locked the door behind me and headed downstairs, I felt lighter. Stronger.

Until I stepped out of the building.

Alex was waiting on the sidewalk.

He looked terrible — dark circles under his eyes, wrinkled clothes, hair messy like he hadn’t slept in days. When he saw me, his face crumpled with a mixture of pain and hope.

“Isla,” he breathed, stepping forward. “Thank God. I’ve been waiting here for hours.”

I stopped a few feet away, gripping the strap of my bag tightly. “Alex… you need to go home.”

“Please,” he begged, voice breaking. “Just talk to me. Five minutes. I know I fucked up. I know I don’t deserve you. But seeing you with *him*… it’s killing me. He’s my father, Isla. My fucking father.”

Tears welled in his eyes. Real tears.

“I love you,” he whispered. “I’ve always loved you. I was confused. Bianca got in my head. But I’ll change. I’ll be better. Just come back to me. Please.”

For a heartbeat, the old Isla — the people-pleaser, the good girl — wanted to comfort him. Wanted to fix things.

But I wasn’t her anymore.

I looked at the man I had loved for three years and felt… nothing but pity.

“Alex,” I said softly. “It’s over. It was over the moment you let me drown.”

His face twisted in agony. “Isla—”

A sleek black car pulled up to the curb. Damien’s driver stepped out, but before he could reach me, Damien himself emerged from the back seat.

He looked lethal in a tailored black suit, eyes locked on his son with icy fury.

“Get away from her,” Damien said, voice low and dangerous. He moved to my side and pulled me against him possessively, one arm wrapped around my waist.

Alex stared at us, broken. “You really chose him? Over me?”

I leaned into Damien’s side, drawing strength from his solid presence.

“Yes,” I said clearly. “I did.”

Damien’s hand tightened on my hip. He didn’t say anything else to Alex. He simply guided me into the car, shielding me with his body the entire time.

As the car pulled away, I glanced back.

Alex was still standing on the sidewalk, watching us leave with devastated eyes.

I turned forward and rested my head on Damien’s shoulder. His hand stroked my thigh possessively.

“You stood up to Bianca,” he murmured, pride evident in his voice. “I’m proud of you, little one.”

I closed my eyes, letting his warmth surround me.

But deep down, I knew this wasn’t the end.

Elena, Bianca, Alex… they weren’t going to disappear quietly.

The real war was only just beginning.