Chapter 2: Apologies and Pain

Mia

A lump formed in my throat as the words I wanted to say, the revelation that hung at the tip of my tongue was swallowed back. I kept my expression neutral as I nodded.

“I’m sorry Mr Nova. It won’t happen again.” 

Silence stretched through minutes when I heard his footsteps. Before I knew it, arms wrapped around me and I was engulfed against a warm hard surface, the scent of cologne filling my senses.

“Are you okay?” He asked, voice quieter.

The change was like whiplash. I could only nod. He took a deep breath.

“Let’s go out for dinner tonight, it's my treat. I'm sorry for being so harsh. I…I just want what's best for NovaTech. You understand, right?”

His voice lost the icy edge from before. Now it was lower. Warmer. No longer the businesslike Mr Nova. 

It was Damon, my husband, hugging me in his office.

“I know.” I whispered, shutting my eyes to savor the warmth.

It never lasted. 

I endured this same pattern. After weeks, if not months of coldness, he would suddenly change. A gift, dinner, or a simple gesture that would remind me of the man I married. It was warmth that gave me hope.

And that brief summer would be followed by a longer winter, just like every other time.

And yet, I HOPED.

Peeking through his embrace, my gaze drifted to spot a small transparent box placed carefully on the side of his desk. My breath hitched.

Inside it was a diamond necklace from a famous jewellery brand I loved. I’d mentioned it months ago in passing while trying to make conversation on the rare occasion he came for dinner. He had ignored me throughout leaving me in silence. I believed it would be forgotten, just like our other conversations.

The necklace was a limited edition with less than 20 of them being sold worldwide. To get it, one not only needed connections and a high influence but also needed to purchase it directly from their factory.

And one of those factories was in the city Damon went to for a business trip. 

My heart skipped a beat.

Did he remember? Had he gotten it for me?

A small warmth spread through my chest, pushing back the heaviness.

Maybe I was wrong. He still cared, even though he didn't get to show it as often.

Even though I couldn't understand his distance, it didn't matter. Perhaps with this pregnancy things would be different.

“Damon, there's something I need to tell you.” I said, looking up at him. Anticipation sang in my chest.

“I—” 

Before I could speak, a sharp notification sound rang in his office.

I silently mourned his warmth as he pulled away, grabbing his phone. As soon as he looked at it, his expression froze. 

What was going on?

“Damon?”

When he looked up, something flickered in his eyes, but it disappeared.

“I have to go,” he said.

What?

“Now?” I asked before I could stop myself. But he was already turning away, grabbing his coat.

“Yes.” His voice had reverted back to the curt distant tone, “There's something important I need to settle. I'll meet you at home. As for the dinner…forget about it. We'll go out another time.”

My heart sank at the dismissal but I nodded.

“Okay,” I said.

Whether he heard me or not, I wouldn't know. He stepped out without hesitation and the door slammed behind me, leaving me back in an empty space.

>>>>>>>

Hours passed in the blink of an eye. I spent the rest of the day trying to focus on work and avoid the restless thoughts circling my mind. 

Damon's sudden absence had shaken me. He, who had always been composed, had abandoned everything. Did something happen? What kind of emergency was it?

Questions filled my mind with no clear answers.

Whether it was the pregnancy or the stress, my body felt worn as I stepped into the mansion. So lost in thought, I'd nearly forgotten to brace myself for the usual.

“If it isn't what the dumps dragged in.”

I stopped in my tracks, turning to meet her familiar gaze.

“Mother in law.” I greeted, impassively.

Mara Nova sat in the living room, her gaze filled with the disdain and scrutiny one would give an ant. She was Damon's Stepmother and my mother in law.

I'd never met her before the marriage, but from the beginning, she had always treated me with contempt. To her, nothing I did was enough and it didn't help when after two years without children, she had taken to calling me ‘defective’.

Once, I had done my best to cater to her until I realised she was never going to change. Now, I tried my hardest to ignore it for Damon's sake.

I looked away. Holding back a sigh, I moved towards the stairs. I needed to rest.

“Where are you going?” 

“To rest, mother in law.” I said, moving towards the stairs but loud footsteps arose behind me. I was pulled back to meet her face.

“That's all you're capable of isn't it? Mooching off this household.” she raised an eyebrow.

When I didn’t respond, she sneered and continued.

“Honestly, I don't know what Damon ever saw in you. Not only are you bland, but you're also disrespectful. You're nothing like my Athena.”

My jaw tightened. That name was one I was more than familiar with. Every single insult came with that comparison to her.

Athena Nova.

Based on what I knew, Athena was her daughter from a previous marriage and Damon's stepsister.  Damon never spoke of her, cutting off all my attempts to ask but his mother did.

From the way she spoke of her, they got together since childhood as friends and grew up circling each other. When she left abroad, Damien was heartbroken. Athena was the apple of her eye and according to her Damon's ‘sweetheart’.

I shouldn't have been bothered. They were siblings. Family.

Yet why, at times did it feel like she was referring to something else?

“...Good thing she's coming today. Damon must already be on his way with her.”

I blinked in surprise, looking up.

“What?” 

What was she talking about?

Her expression curled into something smug.

“Oh, he didn't tell you, did he?”

Before I could ask what she meant, the mansion doors opened once more. Damon walked in.

But he wasn't alone.

A young woman entered, sidled beside Damon in a white dress. Before I could question anything, my gaze drifted to her neck and I froze.

The limited edition necklace I'd seen in his office. The same one I believed he'd pull strings to buy for me.

It was on her.