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
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 The first thing I notice when I wake up is the empty space beside me. The sheets are still warm, carrying the faint scent of Damien’s cologne, but he’s already gone. I sit up slowly, rubbing my eyes. The morning light filters through the curtains. The scent of something cooking drifts through the air—eggs, maybe omelets. I push the duvet off and slide my feet into my flip-flops. As I walk out of the bedroom and down the stairs, the soft sounds of laughter and clinking utensils become clearer. In the kitchen, Damien is standing by the stove, a spatula in one hand and an apron lazily tied around his waist. Lily is perched on a high chair, her small hands clapping together as she cheers him on. “Good morning, Mummy!” she says excitedly when she sees me. A tired smile pulls at my lips as I walk over. “Good morning, baby. How are you feeling?” I gently brush a strand of hair out of her face, studying her carefully. “I feel better now!” she announces proudly, her
Imogene ScottIt’s midnight, and I still can’t sleep. I lie on my back, staring at the ceiling because my mind refuses to quiet down. The room is dark except for the faint glow of moonlight seeping through the curtains. The house is silent. I curl my arms around my stomach, my fingers lightly tracing the curve of my belly. Two months. That’s all the time I have before the twins arrive, and yet I don’t feel ready. I barely feel capable of handling Lily some days. How am I supposed to take care of two more babies? I exhale slowly, willing the thoughts away, but they keep creeping back in. Damien was right about one thing—I’ve been forgetful lately. Not just little things like where I left my phone or if I locked the front door, but important things. I should have cleaned up the broken glass earlier. I should have been more careful. What if it had been worse? What if Lily had gotten seriously hurt because of me? My throat tightens. I know I should see a doctor, but the very
Damien ShawI let out a slow breath, my fingers pressing against my temples as I watch Imogene walk out of the room. The door doesn’t slam, but the sound of it clicking shut is just as final. My jaw tightens. Of course, she walked away. That’s what she does when she doesn’t want to hear something, shuts down, closes herself off. I loosen my tie, feeling the frustration settle in my chest. I hadn’t meant to start an argument. But how could she act like this wasn’t serious? It’s not just about her anymore. She’s been forgetting things more and more lately, and now Lily’s gotten hurt because of it. Just a small cut, sure. But what if it had been worse? What if she had stepped on something deeper, something that couldn’t be patched up with a bandage and a sticker? I exhale through my nose, rubbing a hand down my face. Fighting with Imogene never gets me anywhere. She’s stubborn. Too stubborn. But damn it, I don’t want to wake up one day and realize something terrible has happened be
Imogene Scott I carefully press the small, pastel-colored sticker onto the bandage covering Lily’s tiny foot. A smiling cartoon bear grins back at me, as if that alone can erase my guilt. I kiss her forehead, inhaling the soft, baby-powder scent of her hair. "I'm sorry, baby," I whisper, brushing a stray curl away from her face. Lily shifts on the couch, pulling the plush blanket over her lap. "It's not Mummy’s fault," she says in her small, serious voice. "Lily wasn’t careful." My heart clenches. Even at four, she’s trying to take the blame for something that’s entirely mine. I should’ve cleaned up the glass right away. I should’ve been more careful. I lift her tiny hand to my lips and kiss it. "Do you want me to get you anything?" Lily’s eyes brighten. "Chocolates!" I shake my head, smiling despite myself. "You know you can’t have sweets past seven, baby. It’s almost eight." "Please, Mummy?" She pouts, her big brown eyes glaring at me.I sigh. "Fine," I relent,
Imogene ScottI jolt awake, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps. For a moment, I don’t know where I am. The room is dimly lit, the heavy curtains keeping most of the daylight out. My heart is racing, my body damp with sweat. I sit up slowly, pressing a hand to my chest. The dream is already slipping away, but I know what it was about. Georgia. It’s always Georgia. My dreams are always about her. Mostly about that night she died.I exhale shakily and push a damp strand of hair from my face. My nightgown clings to my back, sticky with sweat. The dream lingers, making my skin prickle with unease. Why won’t these nightmares stop?I reach for the glass of water on my nightstand, desperate for something to soothe my dry throat, but my hand meets empty space. I blink, frowning. It’s always there. I always leave it there. And then I remember—I moved the jug before my nap. But where? I try to picture it, but my mind feels sluggish, foggy. Did I put it in the kitchen? On the dr
Damien Shaw I’m at my desk, working through a contract revision when Kia steps into my office. I don’t look up immediately, still focused on the document in front of me. “Sir, someone’s here to see you,” she says. I finally glance up, rubbing the bridge of my nose. The first thought that comes to mind is the damn principal. I hope he hasn’t shown up here to grovel in person. I already made it clear—either they fix their behavior toward Lily, or I pull every last cent I’ve donated to that school. I don’t need another pointless apology. But when the door opens wider, it’s not the principal. It’s Sheila. I frown, leaning back in my chair as I take her in. She looks… fine. Not sick. But Imogene told me Sheila was unwell and wouldn’t be coming in for a few days. So what the hell is she doing here? “Sheila,” I say, watching her carefully. “Mr. Shaw.” She nods in greeting. “What are you doing here?” My tone is sharp.She offers a small smile, shifting on her feet. “I was
Imogene ScottI take my time getting Lily ready for school the next morning. With Sheila still sick and not coming in, the task is entirely mine, and I don’t mind. I cherish these moments—though today, my mind feels sluggish. I’m bothered by Georgia’s bracelet I found yesterday and the strange sense of forgetfulness creeping into my life lately. Lily sits on the edge of my bed, swinging her little legs back and forth as I button up her white blouse. She tilts her head back to look up at me.“Mommy, what’s wrong?” she asks. I pause for a second, startled. “Nothing, baby.” I smooth down her collar, making sure it sits perfectly. “I just want to remind you that if anything happens at school, if you feel sick or if someone makes you uncomfortable, you have to tell me, okay?” Lily nods, her curls bouncing with the movement. “Yes, Mommy.” “That’s my good girl.” I kiss the top of her head and take her small hand in mine, as I lead her out of the house. The drive to school is fi
Imogene Scott Lily giggles as she picks at the last piece of her banana pancake. Her tiny fingers are sticky with syrup. I watch her as I rest my head against the back of the chair. But my mind is somewhere else. The bracelet. I close my eyes and tilt my head back, staring up at the ceiling as if the answer is hidden somewhere in the cracks. Did I put it there? Had I forgotten? That’s the only logical explanation. Lately, I’ve been forgetful—missing appointments, losing track of time, misplacing things. Maybe this is just another slip, another thing lost in the chaos of my mind. But it doesn’t feel right. I inhale deeply, my fingers curling into my lap. I need to see it again. “Lily, baby, I’ll be right back,” I say, pushing my chair back. She nods, too focused on her food to question me. I walk upstairs slowly, each step. When I reach my bedroom, I hesitate for a moment before stepping inside. The room is dim. I make my way to the dresser. The drawer creaks
Imogene Scott Lily swings her legs under the table, her tiny feet barely brushing the ground as she happily digs into her mint chocolate ice cream. A small smear of green is at the corner of her mouth. She hums quietly as she eats, completely lost in her own little world. I should be able to enjoy this moment. Watching her be this happy should bring me peace, but it doesn’t. My stomach twists as I stare at her even though my own ice cream is melting in the cup. This is my fault. I shouldn’t have let things get this far. I shouldn’t have let my past mistakes bleed into Lily’s life. She’s just a child, my child, and she deserves to grow up without the weight of my sins pressing down on her. She looks up suddenly, “Mommy, are you okay?” I force a smile, even though my face feels stiff. “Of course, baby.” Lily nods, satisfied with my answer, and goes back to her ice cream. “Very good, Mommy,” she says in her soft, sweet voice before taking another spoonful. I w