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
Damien ShawFollowing Day… The engine hums softly as I pull up in front of Sadio Vouche, the five-star restaurant with luxury and exclusivity. It recently just opened and right now, it’s a hot goss. I stare up at the towering glass facade, watching the lights twinkle like stars against the polished black stone exterior. This place is everything I need tonight—extravagant, grand, and utterly unforgettable. Perfect for what I’m planning.I’ve been thinking about this night, since Imogene and I shared that kiss. It was brief, and even though she told me to forget about it, even though she said it meant nothing, it gave me hope—hope that maybe, just maybe, she could finally come back to me. And tonight is the anniversary of the day we got married. A day that once meant everything to her. I glance at the clock on the dashboard. 5:30 PM. Plenty of time. I take a deep breath, my fingers tightening on the steering wheel for a moment. This has to be perfect. If I can recreate the magi
Imogene Scott “I guess you’re finally getting together with your hot landlord.” Elinor says as I walk into my bedroom after putting Lily to sleep.I shouldn’t have told her about the date with Keith tonight. She’s not ever gonna shut up about it. One part of me feels guilty, going on a date with another man on the same date of my wedding anniversary with Damien. But it doesn’t matter, we’re not married anymore.“It’s just two people having dinner.” I say under my breath as I settle in front of my dressing mirror. “I’m literally doing this to rid myself of that guilty conscience for bailing on the VR workshop.”“Right, right.” Elinor says. “Keep convincing yourself while I help you with your make up.”I’m in my white robe and flip flops and I haven’t decided on anything yet. Even the dress I’ll be wearing. Elinor helps me with my hair, she skewers it up like a bun and adds a little bit of gel to smoothen the edges before adding a few ornaments.After she goes extra with the hai