His Mistress

ROSALIE'S POV~

Dressed head to toe in concealing layers so I wouldn't be recognized by the public or anyone else, I exited the SUV, casting my gaze around the hospital parking lot. The weight of my dark sunglasses and heavy shawl did nothing to prevent a chill from running down my spine as I realized I was being followed. Four men, dressed casually yet suspiciously, lingered just outside my line of sight. 

Damien’s men—I was sure of it.

These were the same men who I had seen, lingering right outside the mansion when I had driven out. 

They had traced me! How hadn't I realized that on time?!

Every alarm in my head went off at once, screaming danger. He had placed them here to watch me.

"Fucking asshole!" I muttered under my breath, feeling my heart race. Damien’s insidious control was suffocating, and I knew I needed to escape his lap dogs. But how? My mind raced, struggling to come up with a plan. I couldn’t risk my pregnancy being discovered.

I slipped back into the car, glancing around the parking lot to confirm my suspicions. The men had been careful, keeping their distance, but I was certain that Damien had sent them to ensure I didn’t escape him.

Shit! This was extremely bad. 

Watching the men intently through my rearview mirror, I saw them staring at my SUV, their eyes fixed on me like laser beams. Sweat trickled down my spine despite the frigid AC running in the car. I waited for them to disperse, but one of them pulled out a phone, eyes never leaving my vehicle.

 At that moment, I knew they were calling Damien, reporting my movements.

I couldn't risk him suspecting my visit to the hospital, so I gunned the engine and sped off, tires squealing on the pavement.

Panicking, the men leapt into their own cars, giving chase. My heart pounded in my chest, adrenaline flooding my veins as I tore down the road, trying to lose them in the twisting streets. But I couldn't risk leading them home, Damien would turn away that I knew he had me followed, so I veered off in a different direction, heading toward a remote area.

Pulling into the parking lot of a small café, I jammed the gear shift into park, hastily stuffing my belongings into a bag. The men’s cars slowed down, pulling up just far enough away to keep a discreet distance.

My hands shaking, I unlocked the door and stepped out of the car, keeping my head down and my shawl tightly wrapped around my face. Every fiber of my being screamed at me to run, to disappear into the anonymity of the crowd, but I forced myself to walk casually into the café.

I tried to act as normal as possible, but inside I was frozen with fear, knowing the danger was just outside the door.

I settled into my seat, silently cursing the waitress who began approaching me as she smiled. "Good morning madam, what may I serve you please?" she asked, her voice grating against my nerves.

Her pen poised to take my order, I turned discreetly towards the door, stomach sinking as I spotted two of the four men who had followed me into the café. They took a far seat, pretending not to notice me.

Where were the other two? Probably outside to mount guard. 

"Can I get back to you in a few minutes please? I'm expecting a friend here too," I lied, my chest tightening as she nodded and moved on.

Keeping my head down, I carefully turned my attention back to the men, pretending to cough as I glanced their way. They feigned a casual conversation, their heads bowed to avoid my gaze. I looked away, my thoughts racing, searching for a way out.

Before I could think of a plan, a piercing scream erupted from the counter. The café fell silent, the patrons strained their necks, trying to identify the source of the commotion.

"Fire! Everyone out! Now!" The waitress's panicked voice pierced the air, sending a chill down my spine. I leapt to my feet along with Damien's men, the cafe erupting in pandemonium. 

People rushed for the exits, a chaotic stampede of bodies pushing, shoving, and yelling. I seized the moment, plunging into the crowd, my lungs burning as I fought to breathe. 

"Excuse me! Excuse me please," I panted, desperation fueling my escape.

The memory of the cafe's layout flickered through my mind, revealing a second exit just past the restrooms.

Legs burning, throat hoarse, I sprinted towards the restrooms, the scent of smoke growing thicker with each step. My eyes watered, squinting against the smoky haze as I raced towards freedom.

Then, I saw it—the second exit. Relief flooded through me like a lifeline, only to vanish as I skidded to a halt. Two of the men were guarding the exit, frantically scanning the escaping patrons.

"She's not here! She's escaped! We need to find her or we're dead," I heard one of them hiss, his face contorted with fear.

Heart thudding, I ducked behind the wall, desperate to avoid detection. I clutched my shawl tighter around me, trying to make myself as small as possible. The men were just feet away. 

They spun around, eyes darting in every direction as they searched for any trace of me. I held my breath, silently begging the ground to swallow me whole.

"She couldn't have disappeared into thin air. Search everywhere!" one of them barked, his words making my blood run cold.

The moment the men disappeared from sight, I dared to breathe. 

Adrenaline still coursing through my veins, I darted out, abandoning my car and any chance of a ride-share. Damien would track me with my phone, I knew. I took a lonely route, determined to reach the hospital undetected.

But fate seemed to have other plans. A familiar voice reached me, stopping me in my tracks. "Of course, I love the flower and this will do," the voice chimed. It was a blonde woman stepping out of a store with a bouquet, moving quickly towards an SUV.

My heart skipped a beat as I recognized the voice. Chloe. The "cousin" Damien had introduced me to, the girl I'd taught everything I knew. She was his mistress.

My blood boiled, my mind reeling with betrayal. I forced a smile as she turned to me, her own face registering shock at the sight of me.

"Chloe!" I called out, raising a hand in greeting. The shock on her face was palpable, her eyes wide as if she'd seen a ghost. Or perhaps her conscience was screaming at her.

She instinctively stepped back, her eyes darting behind me in panic. My frown deepened. "What's wrong?" I feigned ignorance, watching as her smile trembled on her lips, failing to reach her eyes.

"Sis, you startled me," she said, her voice quivering with unease. "What are you doing here in a remote area? Were you following me?" Suspicion laced her tone, eyes hardening like steel.

I forced a laugh, feigning amusement as I considered how fate had brought me here to expose Damien's betrayal. "You humor me. I heard about a flower shop and thought I'd pick up some of Damien's favorites for him," I lied, my eyes narrowing as her expression fell.

"Chloe, can I spend some time with you? I've got something important to tell you," I proposed, gauging her reaction. Her frown deepened, before she nodded.

"Come, let's go to my house," she offered, walking towards her car. I climbed in beside her, my heart racing with anticipation, knowing that this drive might change everything.

The car lurched forward, Chloe steadfastly avoiding my gaze. Guilt radiated off of her, a silent confession that needed no verbal confirmation.

Fate had led me here, delivering me to Damien's mistress. Betrayal flooded my being, but I was too drained to cry or scream. Freedom was my only desire.

Approaching Chloe had been a calculated risk, but it could pay off. If she helped me obtain a divorce, she'd have Damien to herself. I studied her expression, hoping to divine the thoughts swirling behind her furrowed brow.

"Chloe, I'm about to divorce Damien," I declared, staring resolutely out of the window. Her gasp echoed through the car.

The car slowed and Chloe turned, her eyes locking with mine. The silence stretched between us.

"You heard me right. I need your help," I continued, my voice cold. "I know who you are to Damien, but it doesn't matter now. What matters is my freedom." Chloe's face flamed red, her fingers tightening around the steering wheel.

She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could form any words, my mouth betrayed me. "I'm pregnant," I blurted out, my words tumbling out of my mouth before I could stop them. "And Damien is the father."

A deafening silence descended as Chloe's face contorted into a mixture of shock and rage. Her gaze fell upon my stomach. Instinctively, my hand flew to cover my belly, as if to protect the tiny life that now grew inside me.