Chapter 5: Taking Everything From Me

Mia

I felt the gazes of my co-workers trailing me as I moved towards my office. Some looked away once I met them. Others remained, offering small smiles. They both held the same thing.

Sympathy. Pity.

By now I was sure the entire company was aware. There was nothing I could do about it but ignore it.

Ignore that the one thing that kept my life afloat was taken away like it was both.

In the corridor leading to my office, I'd barely taken a few steps when voices drifted from around the corner.

“I can't believe it. Miss Dawson has done so much for the company and this was her project. Her idea. Why would the big boss give it to someone else?” a young man said disbelievingly, “And Miss Nova? She literally just got here. We don't even know if she's capable.”

“She may not be capable but she IS  important,” a young woman's voice huffed, “You saw how he introduced her, right? They looked so close. Something must be going on between them.”

I froze.

“That’s not something you should say carelessly,” the first man said after a pause, “They’re siblings.”

“STEP-siblings, meaning not biological,” the woman said, lowering her voice, “And besides, haven’t you heard the rumors?”

“What rumors?”

The same question echoed in my mind.

“Rumors about them having a relationship in secret,” she continued, “It died down a few years back. Allegedly, they had a secret relationship when they were younger and the late Mr Nova, Damon's father, caught them in the act. That's why she was sent abroad and the rumors died down. Some even say the reason he's never dated or married anyone is because he’s been waiting for her.”

My breath hitched. The words rang like a gunshot.

“That sounds pretty messed up.” The first man huffed, “I can't imagine it. Weren't they…”

They kept speaking, but I could no longer hear it. My mind buzzed as the impact of their words sank in.

Damon. Athena. Together. 

Memories flashed by. Mara's strange words. Athena comfortably sitting beside him. Every single time he left and returned with her. Them being so close.

All of the things I tried to ignore because I believed it was my imagination. 

A wave of nausea rose. I spun towards the nearest restroom.

The moment I reached the sink, I retched, each heave more painful than the last as the contents of my breakfast spilled out. 

When it stopped, I slumped against the sink. My head pounded against my skull. I glanced at the mirror and saw my reflection.

Pale. Sallow. A shadow of who I was. 

It couldn't be true.

Could it?

>>>>>>

The rest of the day passed in fragments. I tried to keep an air of normalcy, but it was futile. My body ached. My main focus was gone and their words kept ringing in my head.

“No.” I whispered, forcing back every thought with denial. It didn't feel enough.

By evening, the office was nearly empty and the sky had darkened by the time I stepped out.

Every step I took felt shaky, weakened from the aches and exhaustion from the past few days. At this moment, I didn't want to think of anyone.

Yet as I spun the corner, I met with the one person I didn't want to see.

“Sis in law! Oh right, I'm supposed to address you as Miss Dawson here.” she giggled, “I came just in time. You're also leaving right?”

My jaw clenched. She frowned.

“You look so tired. Are you okay?” she asked. 

“I’m fine,” I said flatly, pushing past her to head towards the elevator. She followed behind me, stepping into the lone space as I tapped the floor button.

The low hum of the elevator felt like an eternity. I closed my eyes, trying to ignore her presence. I just needed to leave.

“You know,” her voice broke the silence, “I know we barely interacted but I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”

I didn't want to listen to anything right now. It took everything in me to be courteous. 

But if I ignored her, I didn't know what she would do.

“About what?” I answered.

“About Damon.”

I stiffened. Her sigh rang beside me.

“The Zenthros project belonged to you. I felt so bad when I learned about it. I mentioned it once after hearing you talk about it. Who knew that he'd actually hand it over to me?” she sighed, as though helpless before she paused, "But then again, it shouldn't be surprising considering who REALLY has his heart.”

My heart skipped a beat. Slowly, I turned to face her. 

She was smiling, her face glowing under the elevator lights, yet there held something in her eyes that made my heart race.

“Don’t look so surprised. You must have heard the rumors already, right?” 

My jaw tightened.

“I don't know what you're talking about Athena,” I said, my voice harsher than I expected, “What I DO know is that both of you are siblings and I am the wife who he married. We love each other, no matter the difficulties. A single project doesn't change that.”

Yet as I spoke, my words felt hollow. 

She tilted her head, her gaze boring into me. It looked like pity. Mockery.

Then she smiled.

“Do you think he married you for love?” 

My heart skipped a beat. What was that supposed to mean?

A sudden bang erupted. The elevator jolted violently. My body lurched, colliding against the wall before being forced to the floor. 

Pain shot through me. I screamed.

Several more jolts followed. The lights flickered before darkness remained. 

My pulse hammered in my ears as picks, like needles shot up my belly. Panic gripped me.

No. 

I didn't know how long it took when I heard muffled footsteps. Voices echoed through and amongst them I could hear his.

Damon.

He was there. I could hear him giving sharp instructions, his voice cutting through the noise as they worked to open the metal.

“Damon! Help me!” Athena cried out, her voice trembling.

Despite my blurry, darkened vision my gaze trailed to her sitting at the corner. She looked completely unharmed.

The feeling of something warm seeping between my legs made my blood run cold.

“No…”

Metal groaned below us. A gap of light appeared as the emergency hatch was forced open.

And at the opening was Damon.

“Move back,” he ordered. Before I could process it, he had already climbed down with assistance, dropping into the elevator.

Athena threw herself into his arms without hesitation, sobbing. 

“Damon. I want to get out of here. I'm so scared.”

My chest ached but despite their closeness, Damon wasn't looking at her.

He was looking at me.

Darkness crept at the corners of my vision. I forced myself up, holding back a sob as I reached out.

“Damon. please… it hurts.”

In the dim lights I couldn't see his expression, yet for a moment, I swore he reached out. Hope filled me.

“Damon?” Athena sobbed. His hand, once lifted, fell.

“The priority is Athena. Pull her out first,” he ordered, and it felt like I had been thrown into the abyss 

“Damon…” I cried, my strength growing weaker.

But this time he didn't look at me. His focus remained on Athena as he helped her out through the opening.

The pain curled tighter in my abdomen with every shallow breath. I felt the tears I'd been holding back slip away.

“The… baby…”

That was the last thing I said before the darkness took over.

>>>>>>>

The scent of antiseptic was the first thing I registered. I cracked my eyes open only to shut them again at the intensity from the fluorescent lights.

The sensations around me returned and soon my memories came back. From the scent and the rhythmic beeping I knew I was in a hospital.

Voices rang, faint but still imperceptible. It was, I realised, in the room. 

“Damon, I've been waiting for so long. You've gotten what you wanted, so why haven't you divorced her yet?”