Imogene Scott I haven’t heard from Rita in five days. I don’t expect to hear from her but it’s a shame our relationship had to end like that. Of course, I’m never going back to Kennaway, or taking the chairwoman position because I can’t be around people who don’t actually trust me.As for Diane, I’m almost done gathering evidence that she stole my work. I’m having my engineer retrieve the work materials from my junk files since I placed them all on that USB I gave to Diane.While waiting on that, Keith and I have been planning a demo event for our virtual reality gallery. It’s just a little workshop we have to do before the convention starts. We’re planning on doing little test runs on the gadgets, where attendees can wear VR headsets and step into a virtual gallery of artworks. It’s happening next week. So, we’ve already invited a few people for the test run but I do plan on inviting Elinor so she can see the work we do. I mean, the work Keith and I do, because Damien only j
Imogene Scott I press my thumb to my temples as I try to wrap my head around the whole thing. Damien and Diane? Could any if it be real? Well, it only made sense that he would go for the better woman. But so soon? Only a few weeks ago, he was telling me how much he wanted Lily and I, but now he’s seeing someone else. And it had to be Diane Johnson of all women?This is a cosmic joke. I try to ignore the slight ache in my chest. I take deep breaths and rise to my feet. So what if Damien and Diane are together? It’s not like we were ever going to get back together anyways. I hear the door bell ring and I walk out of my room, and across the living room to answer it. The hi-res security panel next to the door shows the person on the other side. My breath catches in my throat. Damien. Why’s he here?“Imogene can you please let me in? I can explain.” comes his voice from the other side.I blink quickly, trying to clear the fog in my mind. Explain what? He’s the last person I want t
Imogene Scott Laguna Villa. It’s owned by Damien and I haven’t been there in years. Not since our fourth wedding anniversary when I forced Damien to celebrate it with me. Forced him. Thinking about it now, I had always forced him to do everything during our marriage. Forced him to come home. Forced him to have dinner with me. Forced him to stay. From the start, Damien had been selfish. So self-absorbed that it was as if I had to beg for scraps of his attention. Gathering my thoughts, I realize that deep down, I’m not surprised that Damien and Diane might be at Laguna Villa together. I should’ve seen this coming. There’s no shock, no sense of betrayal, just an overwhelming numbness that wraps around my heart like a vice. Either way, I grab my car keys and place Lily on my waist before walking out of my apartment. I can’t leave Lily on her own and I sure as hell can’t call Breonna because it’s almost 8pm.When I get to the parking lot, I place Lily in her strapped chair in the ba
Imogene Scott As soon as we’re alone, I meet her gaze. She looks so confident, so sure of herself, and it only fuels the fire inside me. I refuse to let her win.“What do you want, Imogene?” she asks, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “You’re interrupting our lovely dinner.”I suppress the urge to roll my eyes and instead smile. “Oh, I’m not here to ruin your evening. I’m just here to see you.”Her eyes narrow slightly. “Me? Well, aren’t I lucky.”I take a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady. “I have evidence now, Diane.”She laughs, actually laughs, as if what I said was a joke. “Oh, Imogene, is that what this is about? The campaign?”“You know it is,” I say sharply, but still keep my tone calm. “You took my design, passed it off as your own. You know it was mine.”Diane tilts her head, studying me with that same smug expression. “And what makes you think anyone’s going to believe that?”“Because we both know the truth, don’t we?”She sighs dramatically. “Loo
Damien ShawI had no idea things were going to go with with Diane. After Imogene refused to listen to what I had to say last night so I figured I had to get things over with Diane. That’s why I invited her right to dinner tonight to get the truth out of her.But Imogene showed up. It all kind of went well, at least until Diane spiraled and almost killed me. My arm stings due to the cut as I stand my Imogene’s car, waiting for her.Imogene soon returns with a first aid kit, her face set in determined lines. She doesn’t waste any time; she’s focused, her movements precise as she sets up the supplies on her car. The cool night air feels sharper now, and the gentle rustle of leaves is the only sound that punctuates the tension between us.As she begins to clean the wound, I watch her carefully. Her fingers are steady as she applies antiseptic, the scent of alcohol mixing with the crisp, night air. Despite the pain, there’s something oddly soothing about her presence. It’s strange, cons
Imogene Scott I’d kissed my ex-husband.I’d kissed my ex-husband and liked it.What the hell is wrong with me?I bury my face in my pillow with a groan. My alarm clock has gone off three times already, but I can’t bring myself to get out of bed. Getting out of bed means facing the aftermath of my choices again, and I’m content to stay in my bubble of delusion.Sadly, the universe doesn’t agree. Less than a minute after I settle on the decision to loiter beneath the covers all morning like I did yesterday, my phone rings. I ignore it. It rings again.Another groan travels up my throat. I almost wish cellphones didn’t exist, then I wouldn’t have to talk to anyone at—I peek at the digital alarm clock—eight fifteen on a Monday morning.I press answer and put the caller on speakerphone without lifting my head or checking their identity. “Hello?”“Good morning!” Elinor chirps. “Where are you?”“Home.” The pillow muffles my response. My kiss with Damien had lasted both too long and not
Imogene Scott“Hii. I’m sorry.” I finally say as I stop in front of Keith.His expression is ragged and it somehow scares me. He takes a deep breath and doesn’t say a word for a few seconds. When he finally does, his voice comes out condescending.“Sorry? We’ve been planning this VR workshop for days and you suddenly just backed out?”“I was caught up…”“In something personal.” he finishes for me, scoffing hard. “That’s the thing, every one of you just upends our work anytime something personal happens. Y’all don’t get to abandon this project just because you feel out of place. I also feel out of place, every damn time, but you don’t see it affecting this project. Be fucking considerate for once.”I flinch. Flinch at the agression. Flinch at the venom in his words. I’ve never seen Keith so pissed. I’ve really fucked this up.“I-I,” I stutter, barely above a whisper. Lifting my eyes, I see the incredulous look on his face. “I’m really sorry.”He laughs, but the laugh holds no humor.
Imogene Scott I’m not sure my mind was able to register Fiona’s sob story. How Damien left her after I left town. And how she found out she was pregnant but never told him because he seemed to have lost all interest in her after he lost me.No matter how much she tries to explain like she’s doing right now, it still doesn’t add up. But it doesn’t stop the ache in my chest either. The thought that this might actually be true, scares me. Fiona had Damien’s child?“Here.” Fiona says, as she pulls a piece of paper out of her purse, then slides it across the table. “Take a look.”With shaky hands, I grab it and stare at it for a moment. It’s a paternity test and it says Larry’s matches Damien’s. My blood runs cold and I raise my head to meet Fiona’s gaze. To see if I can find any sign of deceit, any little sign that all this is made up.But there’s none. The last part of my heart breaks and I clutch the paper tightly to stop the pain from ripping through my guts. It’s true. It’s really
Imogene Scott It was hard to focus on the dull ache in my lower abdomen, because I’m in a constant reminder of how close I’d come to losing everything. Abortion pills. The words echo in my mind. How? Why? I didn’t take anything like that. I wouldn’t.“Your gynecologist recommended drugs to you?” I nod, confused and uncertain at the same time. Yes, Dr. Pepp had prescribed something, and I’d taken them without hesitation, trusting they were for the twins' health. I can still see the disbelief in Damien’s eyes, the storm building behind them before he stormed out of the hospital room. Now I’m alone, left to piece together the scattered fragments of what had happened.I sit up slightly in the hospital bed, staring blankly at the door Damien just stormed out of. The words still echo in my head. It doesn’t make sense. I only took what Dr. Pepp prescribed. My hands tremble as I press them to my belly, trying to anchor myself to the reality that my babies are still safe. I can’t sto
Damien ShawThe office feels suffocating tonight. It’s past 9 p.m., and I’ve been waiting all day for feedback about Gerald’s latest screw-up. Patience isn’t my strong suit, and right now, it’s wearing thin. I glance at my phone for what feels like the hundredth time. No messages. No missed calls. Not from Imogene. That’s what surprises me the most. She always checks in, even if it’s just a quick text. Maybe she’s just tired. The drive home is quiet. When I pull into the driveway, the house looks the same as it always does. I step out of the car and into the cool night air. Inside, the aroma of something faintly sweet greets me. Sheila’s in the kitchen, wiping down the counter. She looks up and smiles when she sees me. “Evening, Mr. Shaw,” she says cheerfully. “Long day?” “Yeah.” I drop my briefcase by the door and loosen my tie. “Where’s Imogene?” “She’s been asleep since this afternoon,” Sheila says. “I didn’t want to disturb her. She looked so tired.” I frown. “That’
Imogene Scott The air inside the car feels suffocating as I grip the steering wheel, my knuckles white against the leather. The phone call is still replaying in my head including my conversation with Lila. It wasn’t her that made the threatening call. I’m sure of it now. But if it wasn’t her, then who was it? I force myself to focus on the road ahead. My fingers tighten around the wheel as I take the familiar turn toward the hospital. The parking lot is half-empty. I pull into a spot near the entrance and kill the engine. For a moment, I sit there, staring at the hospital entrance. Six months. I rest a hand on my stomach to feel the faint stir of life within me. “We’re okay,” I whisper softly, but the weight in my chest doesn’t lift. I climb out of the car, the cool breeze biting against my skin as I cross the lot. The hospital doors slide open with a faint hiss, and I step into the sterile, overly bright lobby. When I reach Dr. Pepp’s office, she’s waiting for me. H
Damien Shaw I walk into the office that morning, lost in thought. I can still feel Imogene’s body next to mine from last night. I wanted to ask her about Ville Road, but I don’t know how to do it without sounding accusatory. Without making her feel like I’m questioning her. Hell, I’ve never been good at that—asking the hard questions, digging into the things I want to know but don’t always want the answers to. I close my eyes briefly as I move down the hall. What the hell was she doing there? I tell myself I trust her. I do. I reach my office, push the door open, and step inside. The moment I do, I stop dead in my tracks. Kia’s pacing in front of my desk, her heels clicking against the floor. Her brows are furrowed, and she doesn’t even notice me until I clear my throat. “Mr Shaw,” she says, stopping. “Gerald dropped by earlier this morning.” I feel relief at the mention of Gerald’s name. “Gerald?” I repeat, still standing in the doorway. “I told you he was only caught u
Imogene Scott I sit frozen on the edge of the bed, staring at my phone screen, the words "Unknown Caller" still burned into my mind. The robotic voice from the call plays over and over again. “Whatever you think you’re doing, stop it now. Things might get ugly.”A chill runs through me, and I rub my arms, trying to shake it off. My mind races. Who was it? How do they know what I’m doing? And why now? The door creaks open, snapping me out of my thoughts. My heart jumps in my chest, and I instinctively clutch my phone tighter. But it’s Damien. Relief floods me, but only for a moment. His face is drawn. Something about him feels off. “Hey,” I say softly, rising from the bed. I move toward him and wrap my arms around him. He hugs me back, but it’s not the same. His body feels stiff, like he’s holding something back. I pull back and study his face. “Are you okay?” I ask. “Just work stress,” he mutters, brushing past me. Work stress? I know Damien better than that. He’s hid
Imogene Scott The city stretches out in front of me as I drive. My fingers drum lightly against the steering wheel. How am I supposed to find out what this key unlocks? From what I’ve seen, Lila will continue to be tight-lipped. But at least I know how important the key is amd whatever “this is bigger than you.” threat she spilled isn’t going to scare me. I grip the wheel tighter. The dashboard clock flashes 2:45 PM, and I realize it’s almost time to pick up Lily. I push my thoughts aside, turning the car toward her school. When I pull up, I see Lily. She’s standing by the gate, clutching her little pink bag. Her mouth set in a pout. Normally, she runs to me the moment she sees the car. But today? Today, she walks. Slow. When she reaches the car, she opens the back door herself and climbs in, offering me only a quiet, "Hi, Mum," before clicking her seatbelt into place. When did my baby girl become such a grown up?"Hi, sweetheart," I say softly, turning in my seat to look at
Damien Shaw I pull into the parking lot of Shaw Tech. I’m a little stressed from all the drama this morning. Between Lily's tantrums of her avoiding Imogene and Imogene’s sudden emotional distance. I can’t seem to focus. It feels like I’ve been juggling too many balls, and any minute now, one of them is bound to drop. I grab my briefcase from the passenger seat and step out, adjusting my tie as I walk toward the building. The elevator ride up is quick, and when the doors open to my office floor, Kia is already waiting by my door. Her crisp blouse and tightly pulled-back hair are as perfect as always."Good morning, Kia," I say as I step into my office. "Morning, sir," she replies, following me in. "We’ve got a problem." I drop my briefcase onto the desk and loosen my tie slightly. "Don’t tell me. Let me guess—Gerald still isn’t here." "You guessed right," she says. "Three days now without any notice. And sir, I don’t think it’s just a personal issue." I pause mid-reach
Imogene Scott As soon as Damien and Lily leave the house that morning, I take a moment to gather my thoughts together. From what I discovered yesterday, Terry and Lila used to be together but Lila left him to get married to my father. My question now is why Lila would date someone who had nothing, someone like Terry. Could it be because she needed access to something? The key he made for dad? I mean Terry made the key which is something seemingly important so that’s the only explanation.I shove the thought aside as I rush into the bathroom. The water in the shower is scalding, and I let it sting my skin as I hurriedly scrub myself clean. I need to see Lila again.After a quick change into dark jeans and a simple blouse, I head downstairs and I spot Sheila walking in through the front door. She’s carrying a small tote.“Good morning, Imogene,” she greets me.Her smile is bright and unnervingly warm. Something about Sheila stirs an uneasy feeling in me, though I can’t place it.
Note: the last two chapters have been edited. Read them before proceeding.Imogene ScottI wake up to the sound of water running in the bathroom. The spot next to me in bed is cold, Damien already gone. The faint hum of the shower fills the room, but it does little to distract me from the heavy knot of guilt in my chest. Last night’s events play on a loop in my head—Damien’s disappointment, Lily’s tears, Sheila stepping in where I failed. I sit up slowly, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and glance at the clock on the nightstand. It’s just after 6 a.m. Damien’s workday will start soon, and I don’t even know how to approach him after what happened. But more than that, I don’t know how to face Lily. I take a deep breath and swing my legs over the side of the bed. The floor is cool against my bare feet as I walk to the closet. Pulling open the door, I automatically grab one of Damien’s pressed shirts and a tie, laying them neatly on the bench by the foot of the bed. The shower contin