The morning light cuts through the penthouse windows like a blade. I barely slept, my body still buzzing from Damien’s nearness last night. Noah is happily eating pancakes at the massive kitchen island, swinging his legs while one of Damien’s staff hovers nearby. My son’s laughter echoes too loudly in this cold, luxurious cage.
I’m pouring coffee when the elevator dings.
Isabella Vale steps out like she owns the place.
She’s even more stunning than I remembered—tall, sleek, red hair cascading over a designer cream suit that hugs every curve. Her eyes scan the room and land on me with pure venom wrapped in a saccharine smile.
“Elena,” she purrs, voice dripping false sweetness. “How… quaint to see you again. Back in Damien’s world so soon?”
Damien emerges from his office, adjusting his cufflinks, looking every inch the ruthless billionaire in a charcoal suit. His gaze flicks to Isabella, then to me. No warmth. Just calculation.
“Isabella,” he says smoothly. “You’re early.”
She walks straight to him, placing a perfectly manicured hand on his chest like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “The merger documents needed your signature. And I missed your… hands-on approach.”
The way she says it makes my stomach turn. Five years ago flashbacks hit hard—her legs around his waist, his hands on her body, the sounds that still haunt my nightmares.
Noah looks up curiously. “Mommy, who’s that lady?”
Isabella’s sharp gaze drops to my son, then back to Damien. A cruel little smile curves her lips. “Cute child. Family life suits you, Elena. Or should I say… suits someone.”
Damien’s jaw tightens, but he doesn’t correct her. He simply gestures for Isabella to follow him toward the study. “We’ll be in the meeting. Elena, you’re joining us. Image consultant, remember?”
I force myself to follow, every step feeling like walking into fire.
—
The meeting is torture.
Isabella leans over the table beside Damien, her body brushing his arm as she points at documents. She laughs too loudly at his dry comments, touches his shoulder, calls him “Darling” like it’s still her right. Every move is calculated to remind me exactly where I stand.
I sit across from them, notebook in hand, playing the part. But inside, I’m boiling.
When Isabella excuses herself to take a call, I can’t hold it in anymore.
The second the door closes, I stand up, fists clenched. “The same pattern, Damien? Really? She’s still crawling all over you like she did that night.”
He leans back in his chair, eyes cold and amused. “Jealous, little ghost?”
“Don’t gaslight me,” I snap, voice shaking with rage. “I saw you f##k-ng her five years ago. Now she’s back as your ‘business partner’ and she’s practically riding your lap in front of me. Is this the image you want? The devoted woman standing by while you f## your VP again?”
Damien rises slowly, stalking around the table until he towers over me. His hand catches my wrist, pulling me flush against his hard body. The scent of Eclipse floods my senses.
“You’re seeing what you want to see,” he murmurs, voice low and dangerous. “Isabella is a business asset. Nothing more. You’re the one who ran away and spr-3ad her l3gs for someone else. Remember that?”
His words sting like acid. The jealousy from last night is still there, simmering beneath the surface.
“I didn’t cheat,” I hiss. “You did.”
He cups my face roughly, thumb pressing against my lower lip. “Did I? Or did you see exactly what I wanted you to see that night and run like a coward instead of trusting me?”
My breath catches. Doubt flickers, but I shove it down. “You’re unbelievable. Twisting everything like you always do.”
A dark smile curves his lips. “And yet here you are. In my home. Raising your voice at me while your son sleeps down the hall. Careful, Elena. Push too hard and I might decide to remind you exactly who you belong to.”
Isabella’s heels click back toward the room. Damien doesn’t release me immediately. He leans in, lips brushing my ear.
“Play your role,” he whispers. “Or I’ll make sure Isabella gets everything she wants… including me.”
He steps back just as she enters, the perfect mask of control back in place.
Isabella’s eyes narrow at the tension between us, her smile sharpening like a knife. “Everything alright, darling?”
“Perfect,” Damien says smoothly, but his eyes stay locked on me—promising punishment, possession, and something far more dangerous.
The game has only just begun.
—
To be continued…..