تسجيل الدخولRHEA“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Aurora,” he says, calm and certain. “I’ve been your biggest fan.”My lips part. “Yo—how…?”“I do apologise for the stress I put you through,” he says evenly. “I was sceptical. But it didn’t take long for you to prove exactly who you are. Talented people rarely hide themselves well, and talents like yours are not common.”He pauses, watching me carefully.“I first suspected it when I saw your portfolio. You looked familiar the moment we met, but I couldn’t place you. Later, when I looked at it again, I realised I had seen you once at Wardrobe with Victor. At the time, I didn’t even know you were Aurora.”My head spins as I try to follow his words.“I won’t ask why you changed your name,” he continues calmly. “Or what happened between you and the Hales. That is none of my concern. I’m simply grateful to finally meet you.”My thoughts twist over each other.He knows exactly who I am.And he isn’t angry. If anything, the look in his eyes is… respect.Tha
RHEA “I’m asking you on a date, Rhea.” I’m probably more stunned than I should be. I blink at him, then lift my hand as I walk away, flashing the ring on my finger. Whether he notices it or not, I have no idea. Nothing in my life has quite prepared me for a moment like this. Damien’s ring isn’t exactly subtle, and I never take it off. Did Liz never mention my husband during their company dinners? Then again, praising my work and discussing my personal life are two very different things. Especially when my private life should be obvious enough. “No, I’m sorry,” I say quickly. “I really have to go.” His lips part like he’s about to respond, but I’m already moving. I hurry down the hall and knock on Christian’s door. I don’t even wait for an answer before pushing it open. Noah’s words are still echoing in my head. Seriously. What kind of timing is that? If I were any less professional, it probably would have thrown me off completely. Asking a married woman out on a date second
RHEADamien doesn’t come back. Not that night. Not the next day. Not even today, two days later.Well… maybe that’s not entirely true. He does leave traces of himself behind. When I get home, exhausted and completely burned out, I notice little things. His office door is unlocked for me. All my files and notes, the ones I’d left in chaos the night before, are perfectly arranged—just the way I like them. By team, then by department, and then by how much I hate them.The sight makes my chest tighten. My heart swells and aches all at once. I try to swallow the bitter pill, and it hits me harder than I expected. It’s not about the office, or the size of this house, or even the absence of his constant unsolicited advice. It’s simpler than that.I miss him. I’ve missed him every second of the past two days, and it hurts like hell.I throw myself into work, drowning in sketches and mood boards, telling myself it’s a coping mechanism. But it isn’t. There’s nothing I can do. No friends to call
Trigger Warning: This chapter contains intense emotional distress including panic, self-hatred, and a mental breakdown. These topics may be sensitive for some readers.RHEAI don’t know how long I stand behind the door.Long enough that the sound of the engine starting is only a distant memory. Long enough that the silence he left behind feels heavier than the argument itself.“Shit,” I whisper under my breath.My heart is still racing, panic clawing through my chest as I try to replay the last five minutes.The more I think about it, the worse it gets.“Shit. Shit—shit, Rhea!”I drag both hands down my face, pacing once before stopping again.“Why didn’t you just tell him the truth?” I whisper hoarsely. “Why didn’t you say it?”How did he even get the idea that I slept with him because of a contract?That thought alone makes my stomach twist.It had all been my own choice.My own damn will.If anything, I was the one who started this.I was the one who followed him out after that ope
RHEAMy lips press together. That isn’t the way I would have put it.“I’m just trying to be your wife,” I say carefully. “In every sense of the word. That’s what I’m supposed to be doing, isn’t it? So that’s what I’m trying to do.”The moment the words leave my mouth, something changes in his expression.The faint traces of that foul mood from earlier return, settling over his face like a shadow.His jaw tightens.“What you’re supposed to be doing,” he repeats slowly.Coldly.Somewhere along the way, we’ve clearly misunderstood each other, and I can’t figure out where it happened.I try to be honest. It’s the least I can do.“Damien, at the end of the day… this is a contract.” I gesture weakly between us. “When it’s over, we both go back to our normal lives. But until then, I have to do what I promised.”His expression darkens further.“So yes,” I continue, even though something in my chest is starting to hurt. “Your wife in every sense of the word. Cooking. Maybe cleaning—though your
RHEA“So? How was it?” Damien asks coolly, but something in his tone feels deceptively calm.I study him for a moment before deciding it’s probably best not to pry.Damien turns the car into the driveway of his mansion. It’s strange how familiar this place has started to feel.I rub my uncomfortably full stomach. Camille had practically stuffed me tonight.It’s still surreal that I actually met her. Saying I’m a fan would be an understatement, and she’d been just as kind as I’d imagined. Even her friends had been incredibly sweet—so sweet it had almost made me uncomfortable.“Are you asking if I had fun,” I say, “or if I got inspiration?”He rolls his eyes. “I brought you there myself. Your inspiration was practically guaranteed.” He glances at me. “I meant the socialising. With the obnoxious rich people.”I consider it. “So-so.”“Just so-so?” he asks, lifting a brow.I shrug, letting him lean over to undo my seatbelt.I freeze for a second when I realise I’ve let him do it—just like







