Damien Shaw I lie on the stiff hotel bed, staring at the ceiling. The room feels cold and quiet, and no matter how many times I toss and turn, sleep won’t come. I glance at the clock on the nightstand. 12:00 AM. The bright red numbers mock me. I’ve been here for hours, and my mind still won’t shut off.It’s like everything is crashing down on me at once. My father. Imogene. The lies. The secrets.I turn over, clenching the pillow under my head, but it’s useless. I can’t stop thinking about that damn text. Seeing his name, Luke Shaw, was like being by a bullet. My father, the man who wrecked everything for my family, the man I swore I’d never speak to again. And Imogene… she’s been meeting with him behind my back.I feel a surge of anger rise in my chest. How could she do that? After everything I told her, after knowing how much pain he caused me, how much I’ve been trying to move on from the hell he put me through. And she still thought it was a good idea to go behind my bac
Imogene Scott A Week Later… Lily’s tiny hands clutch at my shirt. Her tears soaks into the fabric as she sobs against my chest. I sit on the couch, rocking her back and forth, whispering, “It’s okay, baby. Daddy’s just working. He’ll be home soon.” The lie feels like it burns my throat as I say it. I don’t know when Damien is coming home. I don’t even know where he is. Lily sniffs. “I want Daddy.”I stroke her hair gently, trying to keep the tears that are threatening to spill from my own eyes at bay. “I know, sweetheart. I know you do.” After a while, Lily’s sobs slow. Her breathing evens out as she finally drifts off to sleep in my arms. I hold her for a moment longer, pressing a kiss to the top of her head before standing up carefully. I walk down the hall to her room.I lay her down on her bed, tucking her blanket around her gently. Her face is still flushed from crying. I stare at her for a long time and brush a stray curl off her forehead. I know how much she misses D
Imogene ScottThe following day, I prepare to take Lily to the hospital for her usual checkup. I have no appetite, but force myself to nibble on half a bagel. Damien still hasn’t called or texted. Lily and I walk out to the driveway to my car. It looks forlorn sitting there without Damien’s car next to it. I place Lily in the backseat and slid into the front seat. As I start the engine, the stereo blasts “Can’t Stop Me Now” by Queen. Even this extra-upbeat tune fails to lift my mood. I always assumed people who were blue felt that way because they had a lot of negative thoughts they couldn’t block. But I realize you don’t need negative thoughts— negative circumstances can be enough to shove you deep into despair. Like finding yourself alone after having known the heaven of being with someone you thought understood and loved you.After a few deep breaths to re-center myself, I drive to the hospital. Even if my life is falling apart, I still to do everything in my power to take c
At this point, Damien is basically the avatar. Always vanishing when he's needed the most. hopefully, they'll get through this. Or not.
Damien Shaw I stand in front of the mirror, straightening my tie for what feels like the hundredth time. The hotel room is quiet and my reflection stares back at me. I tug at my collar, it feels like it's strangling me. I don't want to go to this charity auction, but I have no choice. There’s no avoiding it tonight.I haven’t been to the office in days. I’ve kept everyone at a distance, even Breonna. She’s been checking on me through my assistant, but I can’t face her. My head is still a mess. The thought of seeing her disapproving look or hearing her well-meaning advice. I miss Imogene. I miss Lily. But I can’t go back home yet. Not until I sort through the mess in my head, until I can understand why I feel so damn angry all the time. It’s safer to stay away for now. For them, and for me.I take one last look in the mirror. Black tuxedo, perfectly pressed. I look the part of a man in control, but it’s all a lie. I feel anything but in control.The cool night air hits my
Imogene ScottEarlier that night…“You seem to be doing better today,” Breonna says, leaning back on the couch.We’re both sitting in the living room. I’m here but my mind isn’t. I haven’t slept well in days. And now, the baby. I don’t know what to do about the baby. I’m not ready to tell Breonna about it either.“I’m fine,” I reply too quickly. “Let’s not talk about me. Tell me about your life for a change. How’s everything going?”Breonna gives me a small smile. “Actually… I think I’ve found my passion.”“Really? How?”“The other day, Emmett took me to this book reading event. It was for an indie author he knows, and I…I think I like the art of it. I might be interested in writing and publishing.”I nod slowly. “That’s amazing, Breonna. But Emmett helped you discover it?”“I know, right? I’m equally shocked.”“So…is there something going on between you two?” Her smile fades a little, and she shifts in her seat. “Well, we’re in a relationship.”Wait, what?My eyes widen in surpri
Damien Shaw I lie in bed for the second straight day, staring at the ceiling of this hotel room. I haven’t shaved. I haven’t eaten properly. I’m a coward, no doubt about it. But it’s not just cowardice. I’m hurt. Angry. My ego is bruised. And yet, that nagging voice in my head keeps whispering, What did you expect, Damien?I don’t know how to move forward. I’ve distanced myself from everything, from everyone. Imogene’s words replay in my mind like a broken record. I was so focused on what she did wrong that I couldn’t see the bigger picture, how I’m the one who’s been running from everything. Running from her. From us. From myself.My phone buzzes, cutting through the silence. I glance at it. It’s a text from Howard. [I’m at our favorite bar. Can we get a drink?]Howard… it’s been a while since we caught up. We’ve known each other since forever, way back when we were just two kids in a neighborhood full of empty promises. Now he’s a CEO of a major conglomerate, and I’m hi
Imogene ScottBreonna comes up with oddly last minutes ideas and she was the one that brought the idea of going on a last minute trip together. Not exactly a trip, but she’s meeting with this Hong-Kong editor for a job interview and she’s refusing to disclose details about, so she urged me to go with her too. To clear my head.I told her you can’t just take a trip all the way to Hong-Kong to clear your head. But when she told me the company would be paying for our tickets, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Plus, I really need to clear my head. Decide on a plan B if Damien really doesn’t come back.Two lives her depending on me now.The plane touches down with a slight jolt, and I open my eyes to the sight of Hong Kong’s vast skyline. I glance over at Lily, who’s still sleeping peacefully in my arms. Breonna nudges me as the seatbelt sign goes off."We're here!" she says.Her voice is carrying that electric excitement she always gets when something big is happening. She unbuck
Imogene Scott I sit in the living room, wringing my hands together as I stare at the clock. The agency said they’d send the fourth candidate soon, but if she’s anything like the last three, I’m not sure I’ll survive the day. The first woman looked like she’d send me into an early grave with how tightly wound she was, and the second… I don’t even want to think about her. I could practically see her zoning out halfway through our conversation. The third one made me tilt my head in disbelief—a heavy coat, in this heat? On a blazing sunny day? What was she hiding under there? I shake my head, exasperated. A long sigh slips from my lips, and I sink further into the couch, staring at the sun-drenched curtains. Why is this so hard? I just want someone competent. Someone who can help me manage this house without driving me insane. The sharp ring of the doorbell jolts me upright. I spring to my feet, brushing invisible creases from my dress. Fourth time’s the charm, right? I don’t
Damien Shaw "I don’t even know who to trust anymore." The words are frustrating as they leave my mouth. I press my hands flat against the edge of my desk, gripping it harder. Gerald stands across from me, his expression carefully neutral, but I can see the tension in his jaw. “Weaknesses in our security?” I continue. “And now we’re sure someone on the inside helped with the leak?”Gerald nods. “Yes. The evidence points to internal involvement. Possibly more than one person.” The idea sinks into my chest like a stone. More than one person. It’s almost unthinkable. My team, the people I’ve trusted, built this company with—could they really be working against me? My throat tightens at the thought. “We need a full background check on every employee,” I say. “No exceptions. I don’t care how long they’ve been with the company, whether they’re at the executive level or just interns. Go through them all.”Gerald hesitates, just for a second. “That’ll take time,” he says carefull
Imogene Scott My mind is spinning as I step out of Lila’s office. Divorce papers. My father’s name on them. Lila’s isn’t. A billion-dollar check. For her? My heels echo sharply against the marble floor as I walk. In the lobby, I see the receptionist who texted me earlier and make my way toward her. She looks around nervously, then waves me over to a quieter corner. “You’re Mr. Scott’s daughter, right?” her voice low.“Yes,” I say. “Why?”She glances over her shoulder, then leans in, her voice barely above a whisper. “Your father was here the day before he was... you know. Killed. He and Lila had a huge fight in her office. I couldn’t hear what they were arguing about, but it was bad.”My stomach drops. “Do you remember anything else? Anything at all?” She shakes her head apologetically. “No, but... there’s something not right about her. She’s hiding something about this company. I’ve been here a long time, and I know when something’s off.”I blink, trying to process her word
Imogene Scott A week later… I sit in the stiff leather chair, my hands resting over my stomach. The waiting room is quiet and the door finally swings open. The doctor steps in, holding a folder. My breath hitches. This is routine, I remind myself. Routine. I’m here for my usual checkup. Alone this time. I had told Damien he didn’t have to accompany me since he’s been missing a lot work a lot lately because of me.“Mrs. Shaw,” The doctor says with a polite nod, gesturing for me to join him in his office. I follow, my heels clicking against the tile floor. His office smells faintly of antiseptic and lavender, maybe. I sit across from his desk, the folder now open in front of him. He doesn’t look alarmed, but there’s a wrinkle in his brow. “Imogene, I’m glad you came in today.” “Is everything alright?” He nods but steeples his fingers, leaning forward slightly. “The babies are fine, but your stress levels are higher than we’d like. It’s starting to show in your vitals
Imogene Scott The bedroom feels too big when Damien walks out. I sit up in bed, clutching the edge of the blanket. I let out a shaky breath, staring at the door he just closed. He’s going to ask me about therapy. I know he will. I don’t even know how to explain it. How do I tell him that sitting in that room felt like unpacking a suitcase only to realize you’ve brought nothing but broken things? That therapy didn’t feel like healing—it felt like dragging wounds out into the open and watching them bleed. I shake my head. I can’t stay in bed waiting for him to corner me. The quiet will drive me insane. I throw back the covers and swing my legs over the side of the bed. My head spins as I stand, but I grip the bedpost and steady myself. I shuffle to the door, trailing my hand along the wall as I make my way downstairs. The faint hum of the stovetop reaches my ears, along with the rhythmic sound of Damien chopping something. I stop at the edge of the kitchen and watch him.
Damien Shaw “Please, keep the investigation discreet for now,” I say firmly, meeting Gerald’s gaze. My voice is steady, but my insides churn. Gerald nods and gathers his notes before leaving my office. The door clicks shut and I sink into my seat, pinching the bridge of my nose as my temples throb. Five meetings, all back-to-back in one morning. Each one is a battlefield of strategy, damage control, and trying to piece together what the hell is happening with this damn leak. My head feels like it’s about to split open, and the office suddenly seems unbearably warm. I loosen my tie and lean back, closing my eyes for a brief moment. I need just a second—one second to breathe— My phone vibrates against the desk, shattering the silence. I grab it immediately, hoping it’s Gerald with an update, but instead, I see Imogene’s name. It’s a text: Imogene: "I don’t think therapy is good for me."My stomach twists. Therapy. The session. What happened? My thumb hovers over her nam
“Yes,” I say with a little more heat on it than I would’ve liked. “Because he believed in me. He believed I could do it.”“Okay.”“He believed in me.”“I understand.”Beat.“Can you tell me what happened after you helped him save the company?” Annie pauses to find the right words. This one I don’t want to answer but I feel like if I wiggle around it Annie will just come right back for the jugular with her follow up. I tread with caution.“Well… he got married again.”“And you?”“Yes, what about me?”“Were you in touch with him?”“Well, he had his new life. We barely kept touch.”Annie holds another of her trademark unreadable stares at me. Even though I can’t gauge the specics, I can tell there’s a lot of speculation going on. I feel theneed to add more.“Plus, we started keeping in touch again recently.” I give a little nod to punctuate my statement. I’m hoping that moved the dialon Annie’s judgment, but after a few seconds I can tell it didn’t.Annie purses her lips. “Who reached
Imogene Scott I sit down in the tufted chair opposite Dr Annie Eddie and let out a sigh. This is my first therapy session with her and I’m a little nervous. I’m only here because of Damien. Because I want to be better for him, for Lily and the twins. I tell her a few things about my life I’m comfortable telling anyone and she tells me in order to get to what’s underneath those emotions, what’s driving it, we need to unpack my life in a more comprehensive way.“Okay…” I’m hesitant. What will this entail? I hate the uncertainty.“And please, address me as Annie.” I nod. “Sure.”“Now, I want to understand more about Little Imogene,” she says tenderly. “I understand your mother died of cancer when you were just ten.”Always with the childhood, these therapists. I’ve seen enough movies and TV shows to know that this is the classic therapeutic scapegoat. Some shit happenedin your childhood, it messed you up, that’s why you are the way you are.But not me. I didn’t have an alcoholic d
Damien Shaw The kitchen smells like butter and eggs as I stand by the stove, flipping the omelette in the pan. The sizzle fills the air, and I catch the faintest scent of parsley—Lily insists she hates green things, but I sneak them in for her anyway. I glance at the clock above the sink. It’s later than I thought. Imogene is still upstairs with the doctor. I hope that goes smoothly, but something tells me it won’t. “Mummy says eggs make you strong like Superman!” Lily’s voice cuts through my thoughts as she rushes into the kitchen.“Is it ready, Daddy?” she asks.She’s peering up at me with those wide, curious eyes that make me feel like I’m doing something right in this whole parenting thing. “Just in time,” I say.I slide the omelette onto a small plate, cut it into smaller pieces, then hand it to her. “Thank you!” she chirps before scampering into the living room. I follow her with my eyes as she climbs onto the couch, settling in with her plate. A faint movement ca