Semua Bab He Made a Bet About Me, I Married His Rival: Bab 1 - Bab 10

I pushed him away, picked my clothes up off the floor, and pulled them on.I couldn't stop thinking about Serena's sexy photo or how casually Damon had talked about it.I was shaking so hard that the zipper at my back kept catching.Damon got out of bed, came over, and zipped it up for me.He wrapped his arms around me from behind, rested his chin on my head, and asked, "What's wrong?"My voice came out low and hoarse. "I want to go home."Damon paused, then gave a short laugh. "Layla, it's late. Stay here and get some rest.""I don't want to."Damon ruffled my hair. "Be good. You've stayed here before. I'll drive you back to the manor myself tomorrow."I pulled out of his arms, picked up the custom pistol from the nightstand, and tucked it into my thigh holster.Damon leaned in the doorway and lit a cigar. His expression hardened. "Layla, I don't like you acting like this."I didn't respond.Damon went on. "If it weren't for me, do you think you could have kept that rundown manor your

The next day, the Commission held a public awards ceremony.It was one of the most important occasions of the year, and as the heir of the Blair family, I was invited.Halfway through the ceremony, Damon was called to the stage.He accepted an honorary medal, then waved at Serena in the second row.Serena, in a gold sequined dress, rose and went up to stand beside him.Damon took her hand. "I'd like to take this opportunity to formally introduce my girlfriend, Serena."My fingers tightened around my clutch until my knuckles went white.For two years, he'd kept our relationship secret, claiming it was for my protection. He'd never once acknowledged me in public.Now, with every family in attendance, he was acknowledging someone else.The crowd whispered.[Damon's already swapped her out? Wasn't he with Layla before?][Did he and Layla have a fight?]Damon had clearly heard them too. He leaned down and went on. "Layla is only my sister. Serena is my girlfriend."That said, if anyone bull

I threw the expensive jewelry Damon had given me into the sea, along with the custom-made pistol, box and all.From now on, I wanted nothing to do with anything that belonged to him.The Commission banquet came around soon after, and I went as promised.At the table, Damon shelled lobster for Serena and picked the onions off her plate.As everyone cheered, they linked arms for a toast. Then he fed her dessert from his own mouth.A bit of cream clung to the corner of Serena's mouth, and he leaned in to kiss it away.I kept my head down and pretended not to see, cutting my steak one slice at a time.Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Damon's jaw tighten and his expression darken.When the banquet ended, the guests boarded their shuttle boats and left. I was alone on the floating pier.Damon came down from the yacht, his voice low and rough. "Want me to take you back on my boat?"Before I could refuse, Serena ran after him and wrapped her arms around his waist from behind. "Damon, my feet

Meanwhile, aboard the Corleone family yacht.Damon stood on deck, tugging at his collar as he tried to ease the strange tightness in his chest.He couldn't get Layla's faint smile out of his head.No concern. No jealousy.Even when she watched him kiss Serena, there had been nothing on her face.Her indifference—as though he were a stranger—bothered him far more than tears or a scene would have.Serena didn't notice. She pressed against him and hugged his arm. "Damon, I heard you have a private island in the Bay of Naples. Will you take me there?"Damon frowned and immediately pulled his arm free. "You're overstepping," he said coldly.He'd snapped up that island overnight, paying several times the price, as soon as he'd learned Nolan had bought one for Layla.He hadn't even had a chance to tell Layla yet.Serena looked confused. "I'm your girlfriend. Why can't I go?""You know perfectly well what we are."Damon swirled his drink. "When the month is up, I'm going back to Layla. I'll gi

Two weeks later, my father's favorite oil painting came up for sale at an underground auction.I intended to buy it back.Before I left, Nolan insisted on driving me. "If you go alone, Damon's bound to corner you."He buckled my seat belt and started the engine.I said, "Aren't you worried people will talk if you drive me there?"He turned the wheel, keeping his eyes on the road. "Afraid of what? Rumors about you and me?"He glanced at me, a smile tugging at his lips. "Layla, all of Sicily knows you have a crush on me. What more could they say?"Besides, we're boyfriend and girlfriend now. Last week you cried when you said yes to me. No taking it back."I had no answer, and my ears burned despite myself.The car pulled up in front of the estate.Nolan got out, came around to open my door, and straightened my dress strap.That was when I heard a gunshot.Nolan reacted instantly. He shoved me down into the car as the shot rang out, but the bullet still grazed his right shoulder. Warm blo