เข้าสู่ระบบThe next day felt like the calm before Damien decided to remind me exactly who I belonged to. I went to the second session of Alex Thorne’s seminar in the morning. He was just as engaging as the first day, clear explanations, real-world examples, and that easy confidence that made the material stick. I took detailed notes and even asked one question about ethical gray areas in corporate law. He answered thoughtfully and gave me a small, professional nod of approval afterward.No butterflies, no spark, just respect for a good lecturer.When I got home that afternoon, the penthouse was quiet. Lila was in her suite resting, and Damien was waiting for me in the living room. He looked calm on the surface, but I could see the tension in his jaw and the way his eyes darkened when he saw me.“How was the seminar?” he asked, voice even.“Good,” I said, setting my bag down. “Alex is really knowledgeable. He broke down a complex case today in a way that actually made sense. I learned a lot.”Dam
The week with Lila in the house had settled into a strange, careful rhythm. She was polite, almost too polite. She made tea in the mornings, asked about my classes without prying too deeply, and complimented Damien on small things like the view from the balcony or the way the staff kept the penthouse spotless. Damien remained civil but distant, giving short answers, watchful eyes, never fully relaxing when she was in the room. I kept telling myself it was working. That giving her this chance was the right thing. That maybe, just maybe, it would help Damien let go of some of the pain he carried like armor.But I noticed some things that I did not want to think about, she was always searching for something, I once offered to help her look, she said it was not something serious and it was only jewelry.On Wednesday afternoon, I had my first session of the new seminar series at Columbia: “Advanced Legal Strategy and Ethics,” taught by guest lecturer Alex Thorne.The auditorium was packed
The full day with Lila in the house passed in a strange, polite haze. She stayed mostly in her suite or the living room, never pushing boundaries. She offered to help with small things, setting the table, making tea, asking if anyone needed anything from the store.Damien’s answers were always short and clipped: “The staff handles that.” Or “We’re fine.”I tried to keep the atmosphere light. “She can at least make the coffee in the mornings. Yours is too strong, and mine is too weak. We need a middle ground.”Damien gave me a side eye while sipping his black coffee. “My coffee is perfect. You just have baby taste buds.”Lila laughed softly from the other side of the kitchen island. “I can make a milder batch if Elena prefers it, no trouble at all.”Damien didn’t argue, but I saw the way his shoulders stayed tense. He was watching every move she made, like he was waiting for the mask to slip. By mid-morning, Damien had to head to the office for a meeting. He kissed me goodbye, longer t
The first few days with Lila in the penthouse felt like living in a very polite pressure cooker.She arrived with almost no drama, just one small suitcase and a quiet “thank you” when Damien showed her the guest suite again. No tears, no grand apologies, no dramatic reunions. She simply unpacked, made her bed, and asked if there was anything she could help with around the house.Damien’s answer was short: “Stay out of my office and don’t touch anything that isn’t yours, and the staff would be back from their break today, so you don't need to help out with anything.”Lila nodded like a chastised child. “Understood.”I tried to play peacemaker. “She can help in the kitchen if she wants. I’m not exactly a chef and the staff won't be back till evening.”Damien gave me a look that said “don’t push it,” but he didn’t argue.The first morning, Lila woke up early and made breakfast, simple scrambled eggs, toast, fresh fruit, and coffee. Nothing fancy, but it smelled good and looked edible.Wh
The rest of that morning after I sent the text felt like waiting for a storm that might or might not hit. Damien arranged everything with his usual efficiency. He had security vet the details, booked a car service for Lila, and made sure the guest suite on the opposite side of the penthouse was prepared. He was polite about it, but I could see the tension in his shoulders every time he looked at his phone.By early afternoon, the buzzer rang. I stood in the living room, heart pounding in my chest. Damien came up behind me, one hand resting on my lower back.“You sure about this?” he asked quietly.“No,” I admitted with a nervous laugh. “But we’re doing it anyway.”He kissed the top of my head. “I’ve got you.”The elevator doors opened. Lila stepped out looking polished but not overdone, cream blouse, tailored trousers, a soft scarf around her neck. Her hair was pulled back neatly, and her makeup was light. She carried a small designer suitcase and a genuine looking smile. When she saw
The morning after the calm night felt heavier than I expected. I woke up tangled in Damien’s arms, my cheek pressed to his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. For a moment everything felt peaceful, his warm skin, the faint scent of his cologne still clinging to the sheets, the way his hand rested possessively on my lower back even in sleep.But then I remembered the text. Lila’s latest message had been sitting in the back of my mind like a stone I couldn’t quite swallow. I hadn’t shown it to him last night. I’d deleted it instead, telling myself it was better not to ruin the moment. Now, in the quiet morning light, that choice felt like a secret I didn’t want to keep anymore.Damien stirred, his fingers flexed against my skin as he woke up. He pressed a slow kiss to the top of my head.“Morning, baby,” he murmured, voice still thick with sleep.“Morning,” I whispered back.He shifted so he could look at me, eyes soft and a little sleepy. “You okay? You feel tense.”
The next morning felt normal at first. Damien woke me the way he usually did now, slow kisses along my spine, hand sliding between my thighs before my eyes were even open. I arched into his touch, still half-dreaming, moaning softly when his fingers found me already wet. He chuckled against my ski
The penthouse felt too quiet that afternoon. I was curled on the couch in the living room, legs tucked under me, scrolling through old lecture notes on my laptop. Damien was in his office down the hall, voice low on some conference call. I could hear the occasional sharp word drift out, but nothing
After Sofia left I noticed how distant Damien was.“Is there something wrong?” I asked, concerned. “I should be asking you that,” he said calmly.“What?” I asked, confused.He stood up walking towards me and for some reason I felt this fear and stepped back. “You seem to be hiding things from me,”
I woke up with my stomach already paining me. Not the dramatic kind of sickness, just this low, constant roll that made my mouth water in the wrong way. I lay still for a second, hoping it would pass if I didn’t move. It didn’t. I pressed a hand to my belly and breathed slowly through my nose, but







