CHAPTER 4 - MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE

Darius’s POV

My wife walked into the ballroom like she owned the place. It was almost unreal—Amara, the woman who never cared for events like this, suddenly the center of attention. She had always preferred to stay home, away from the glitz and glamour of these high-society gatherings.

But tonight, she was here, and everyone couldn’t help but notice.

I had told myself she wouldn’t come, that she’d stay out of the spotlight, but I had indulged her. And why not? After all, with the loss of her memory, I had to pretend to be the perfect husband.

I had to keep up the illusion for her, for us—to find the deeds she had hidden, the ones I needed to secure my future.

I never imagined it would come to this. I once loved Amara with every part of me. But somewhere along the way, I lost her to the very thing I thought I could control.

Lena. She brought out a side of me I didn’t recognize—a side I couldn’t control, a side that reveled in jealousy and obsession.

Maybe it was the jealousy, the feeling that Amara was too perfect, too successful, that led me astray. But what did I really know anymore?

As soon as Amara entered, the room seemed to stop. All eyes were on her, men turning their heads to take in the sight of her. And I couldn’t blame them. That green dress—God, it fit her perfectly. It clung to her like it was made just for her, highlighting every curve, every inch of her beauty.

The way she moved with such grace, even after everything that had happened, was undeniable.

Tonight’s event was supposed to be about the necklace she had launched, the piece of jewelry she’d designed herself. But as she walked across the room, the necklace felt irrelevant.

She wore it like it was a part of her, as if it was an extension of her beauty and power. And yet, despite the success she had created, I couldn't help but feel like I was losing her again.

For a moment, I let myself watch her, unable to tear my gaze away. But the longer I watched, the more I realized how much I had changed—how much we had changed. What had started as love had morphed into something else. A dark, twisted obsession with control, with keeping everything I had, even if it meant tearing apart the woman who once meant everything to me.

The men around her were clearly taken with her, their eyes lingering on her longer than they should. And somewhere in the pit of my stomach, I felt something rise—anger, jealousy, regret.

She was still mine, wasn’t she? Despite everything that had happened, I wanted her back. The truth hit me with a force that left me breathless: I had never stopped wanting her, even when I thought I had moved on. But the damage had already been done. She didn’t know the half of it. She couldn’t.

I had to focus. This event, this moment, was for the necklace. But as I watched her smile, her eyes sparkling with confidence and grace, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had lost her forever—and there was nothing I could do to get her back.

I was lost in my thoughts, consumed by the sight of Amara across the room, standing like a queen in her emerald dress, radiating grace and power, envy clawing at me, tightening in my chest. I hated how she still had that effect on me—how even after everything, I was still drawn to her.

But before I could sink deeper into my thoughts, a hand suddenly clasped around mine, pulling me back into the present. It was Lena.

I snapped back to reality, the warmth of her hand sending an uncomfortable jolt through me. I quickly composed myself, masking the emotions that threatened to spill over.

I couldn’t let Lena see any weakness—couldn’t let her know that, despite everything, I still loved my wife. Even I couldn’t believe it myself. How could I? After everything I’d done?

I had betrayed Amara from the beginning of this marriage. I had never given it a chance, never given her a chance. The pain and loss I felt, the overwhelming jealousy, clouded everything. I justified my actions, telling myself that it was easier this way. But deep down, I knew I’d let something beautiful slip through my fingers.

Before the wedding, I had gone with Lena to pick out my suit. It felt strange at the time, but I considered Lena a friend. She was Amara’s best friend—someone I trusted, or at least thought I could. Who could’ve known it would end the way it did? Who could’ve known that our “friendship” would end in betrayal?

The fitting room had felt suffocating, the air thick with tension. One moment, Lena had been helping me with the tie, the next, her lips were on mine, and it was like everything shifted and we had sex that day.

At first, I felt guilty, horrified even. I loved Amara, didn’t I? But somewhere between the stolen kisses and the secret touches, something inside me broke. It became more than a mistake. It became an obsession—a craving for something I didn’t understand.

The guilt was still there, lingering like a shadow, but it faded into the background with every stolen moment I shared with Lena. And the more I gave into it, the more I pushed Amara away, convincing myself that the lies were easier than facing the truth.

But now, as I watched Amara across the room—her eyes sparkling with that same fire I had once loved—I realized how much I had lost. The guilt came rushing back in waves, almost suffocating me. But it was too late now. There was no going back.

Lena squeezed my hand, pulling me out of my spiraling thoughts. I forced a smile, but it didn’t reach my eyes. “You look beautiful tonight,” I said, the words sounding empty in my own ears.

Her smile was bright, almost too bright. “Thank you. But all eyes are on her,” she said, her voice thick with an unspoken jealousy.

I didn’t respond. What could I say? I didn’t deserve to be the one standing beside her, not after what I’d done. But I stayed. I had no choice but to stay.