جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 47

Damon had been awake too long.He paced the living room, phone clenched in his hand, every passing headlight pulling his attention toward the window. The clock on the wall ticked louder than it should have. His thoughts were worse.Chelle.Simon.Same house.His jaw tightened. Whatever had happened between them before didn’t matter. Not now. Not if Simon was still breathing the same air as her.A car engine finally cut through the silence.Damon was out the door before it fully parked.“What took you so long, man?”Johnson barely had time to shut the door before Damon was in his face. “Relax,” he said, tossing his keys aside. “I was busy.”“Busy doing what?” Damon shot back. “Did you get it?”Johnson hesitated—just a fraction—then nodded. “Yeah. I got the address.”Damon exhaled sharply, like he’d been holding his breath all night. “You sure she didn’t see you?”“It wasn’t easy,” Johnson said. “She didn’t want to tell me herself. But no—she didn’t notice.”Damon didn’t think. He pulle

Damon pushed through the front doors, jacket slung over his shoulder, the faint sting of alcohol still warm on his tongue. His mouth curved once at the memory of chelle’s face. The smile vanished just as quickly. The image of her staying Simon replaced it, sharp and unwelcome.His steps slowed.“Hello, Damon,” Victoria’s voice chimed behind him, polished and sweet. “How are you enjoying the city?”He didn’t respond, fingers tugging harder than necessary, then took two more steps before stopping. Slowly, he turned.“What is it you do?” he asked.Victoria blinked, caught off guard. “Oh—um. I have my own makeup brand. And my dad is very rich, so I don’t really—”“—work?” Damon finished, folding his arms across his chest. His gaze swept over her, assessing. “You seem… very available.”Her smile stiffened.“Or,” he continued, head tilting slightly, “you’re always where you shouldn’t be for a reason.”“Lilian wants me around,” she said quickly.Damon let out a short breath through his nose

Lilian had worn a path into the hardwood floor.Her phone was warm in her hand now, screen smudged with fingerprints, the call log a quiet accusation. Simon. Simon. Simon. Straight to voicemail every time.She stopped near the staircase, dragged in a breath, then started pacing again.Damon came downstairs for water, hair still messy, hoodie half-zipped. He was already turning back toward the fridge when he noticed her movement. His brow creased.“Mom,” he said, grabbing a glass. “What’s going on with you now? Why are you walking around like you lost something?”She didn’t look at him. Just stabbed the call button again.“I’ve been calling your brother all day,” she said. “He’s ignoring me.”Damon exhaled slowly and leaned against the counter. “Then leave him alone. Accept it. He’s gone rogue.” A pause. “It happens.”That got her attention.She turned toward him, eyes narrowing as she stepped closer. “What are you saying?,The girl you and simon keep defending? She’s a whore. I have to

Chelle didn’t remember the walk home—only the moment the door shut behind her and the silence swallowed her whole. Her bag slipped from her shoulder and hit the floor, the sound too loud in the empty room. She stood there for a second, chest tight, then her knees gave out.Cold tiles pressed into her palms as she sank to the floor. The tears came hard, blurring everything, soaking into the sleeve of her blouse as she wiped at her face again and again. Worthless. Useless. The words repeated in her head until they felt carved into her skin.This was it.There were no lies left to hide behind, no carefully built walls. Part of her felt strangely lighter—Simon knew now. No more secrets. No more pretending. But the relief curdled quickly into pain. This wasn’t how she wanted him to find out. She had imagined sitting across from him, choosing her words carefully, watching his eyes as she told him the truth herself.Not like this.Her chest tightened at the thought of his face when he realiz