Chapter 3

Damien looked like I’d physically slapped him when I dropped the D-word. A flash of hurt crossed his eyes before he quickly masked it.

He waved a hand, signaling a maid to take Lily away, then followed me into the walk-in closet.

"Honey, look, I know you're grieving your dad, and I'm doing everything I can to fix this. I've already contacted a team of specialists abroad. As long as there's even a one percent chance, I won't give up on him."

He stepped closer, trying to pull me into a hug. "But you can't take your anger out on the kid just because you're upset, and you certainly shouldn't be throwing the word 'divorce' around. Is our marriage a joke to you? And Lily... she’s just a child who’s starved for affection. The handprint on her face still hasn't faded. Today is her birthday. Can you please just let it go?"

He smoothed my hair, his tone shifting from pleading to commanding. "Tonight is Lily's thirteenth birthday party. You are the lady of the house; you have to be there. I know you and Lily have your issues, but let's talk about this tomorrow, okay?"

I scoffed internally. There won't be anything to talk about tomorrow. The divorce papers will be here by then.

Before the party started, Lily barged into my closet without knocking. Her eyes scanned the display shelves greedily before locking onto the Hermès bag I was holding.

"Daddy, that bag is literally perfect for my dress. Can I please wear it tonight?" She clung to Damien’s arm, whining sweetly, while shooting me a look of pure provocation.

Damien didn't even ask for my opinion. He just assumed I’d agree. "Aria, since Lily likes it, just let her carry it for the night."

I kept my face completely blank, though I was sneering on the inside. I handed the bag over without a fight. "Whatever. Take it."

Once the party started, Damien’s performance was Oscar-worthy. He played the doting husband to perfection, keeping his arm around my waist, blocking drinks for me, and adjusting my shawl.

We were surrounded by envious glances and empty compliments. "Mr. Damien is so thoughtful. You are so lucky, Aria."

My expression remained flat. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lily watching us, unable to hide the jealousy burning in her gaze.

When I slipped away to the restroom, Lily followed me. She checked to make sure we were alone, then suddenly shoved the Hermès bag hard into my chest. It hit me with enough force to hurt.

"Here! Take it back!" Lily looked at the bag with disgust, as if it were contaminated waste. "It’s out of season anyway. Only an old hag like you would treat it like a treasure. I don't want to carry your garbage."

She let out a cold laugh and stomped off.

I walked back into the main hall just in time to hear a woman scream.

"My bracelet! My diamond Cartier bracelet is gone!"

It was Mrs. Blackwood. The crowd instantly buzzed with commotion. That bracelet was a limited edition worth millions; she had been flashing it around all evening.

Lily stepped forward, her face the picture of innocence, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "Mrs. Blackwood, was it that diamond panther bracelet?"

Mrs. Blackwood nodded frantically.

Lily gasped, covering her mouth in mock surprise. "Oh no... I think I saw that bracelet in my Mom's purse when I was in the bathroom."

She quickly clamped her hands over her mouth, acting as if the secret had just slipped out.

Every eye in the room turned to me.

I turned to look at Damien.

In that split second, Damien's face changed. He knew better than anyone that Lily had the bag the entire time.

He walked up to me, leaning in to whisper so only I could hear, his voice practically begging. "Aria, give her the bracelet. Just do this for me. Don't make a scene."

"Excuse me?" I looked at him in disbelief.

He didn't wait. He snatched the Hermès bag from my hands, and in front of everyone, reached into the inner pocket.

A second later, the glittering Cartier diamond bracelet was dangling from his hand.

The crowd gasped.

Damien gripped the bracelet tightly and turned to the owner. "Mrs. Blackwood, I am terribly sorry. My wife has been... mentally unstable lately. She must have liked your bracelet and taken it by mistake. Could you please let this go, for my sake? After all, we’re signing that partnership deal tomorrow."

Mrs. Blackwood looked furious, but she glanced at Damien, then thought about the multi-million dollar contract. She gritted her teeth and forced a smile. "Since you're asking, Damien... of course. It was just a misunderstanding."

The guests immediately started whispering, but the narrative had shifted completely.

"Oh my god, Damien is a saint."

"His wife steals in public, and instead of getting mad, he uses a massive contract to protect her."

I stood there, frozen, listening to these absurd praises. Damien walked back to me, pulled me into his arms, and resumed his act. "It's okay, Aria. I'm here. No one can hurt you."

Just then, sirens wailed outside.

Police officers marched straight into the banquet hall.

The lead officer looked stern. "Who called 911? We received a report of grand larceny."

Mrs. Blackwood rushed forward. "It was a misunderstanding, we've settled it privately..."

"Misunderstanding?" The officer’s face darkened. "Do you know that filing a false police report is a crime? Who made the call?"

Lily, hiding behind the crowd, suddenly burst into tears. She shrank back, trembling. "Waaah... I'm sorry... I called... I saw Mom take the stuff and I got scared... I didn't mean to..."

Hearing that Lily could be held liable, the arm Damien had wrapped around me went stiff.

His face turned pale. He lowered his voice, speaking rapidly into my ear. "Aria, you have to take the fall for this. Please, just do this for me. I'll make it up to you later. I'll give you anything you want. But Lily can't have a criminal record. She's just a child. I promise I'll discipline her later and make her apologize."

Before I could even open my mouth, he looked up at the officer and said clearly, "I'm sorry, officer. My wife stole the necklace."

When the cold handcuffs clicked around my wrists, my body began to shake uncontrollably. A deep, bone-chilling terror seized my throat, making it impossible to speak.

Damien knew.

Before we got married, I told him my deepest trauma. When I was ten, I was framed for stealing a classmate's luxury watch. I spent three days in juvenile detention. Those three days were a living nightmare that still haunts me.

The older girls in the cell forced me to drink toilet water. They slammed my head against the wall. They stripped me naked to humiliate me.

After I got out, I spent three years in therapy. To this day, I can't be alone in a confined space.

Damien had sworn—he swore—that he would never let anyone wrong me like that again. He promised to protect me.

And now, he was the one sending me back to hell with his own hands.

Damien couldn't even look me in the eye. He turned his head away, focusing on Lily, who was fake-crying into a handkerchief. His voice was dry and hollow.

"Aria, just go with them. I'll have my lawyer bail you out. You'll be out soon. Just... endure it for a little while."