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Imogene ScottThe next morning, Damien gets up earlier than usual. And by the time I finished getting ready to leave, he’s already left for the office. He won’t talk to me or tell me what’s bothering him and it’s killing me. I can’t stop thinking about what’s wrong. What I could’ve done to push him away. Or is it something else?It’s also all I can think about all day. Well, besides the fact that I might be meeting Damien’s father later. But I can always avoid that. I need to focus more on the problems at hand.“You do know overthinking reduces beauty and makes you less attractive.” Keith says, interrupting my thoughts.I eye him through my lashes. “I don’t think so.”His grin fades a little when he sees I’m not in the mood. I sink deeper into my seat, pulling my phone out to distract myself when I see a message pop up from Breonna.[Breonna: Hey, I’m outside.]Finally, a welcome distraction. I grab my things, pushing all thoughts to the back of my mind. As I step outside, I spot
Damien Shaw As I pull into the driveway, I’m surprised to see Imogene’s car parked in its usual spot. She’s already home? This early? Although , she mentioned her workload reducing, I didn’t expect her to be home this early. I kill the engine and step out of the car, my footsteps crunching against the gravel. When I open the front door, the sound of Lily’s giggles fills the house. I find her sitting on the living room floor, playing with her toy car.“Hey, princess.” I say, scooping her up. She squeals with delight as I pepper her cheeks with kisses. The smell of something familiar drifts through the air—garlic, herbs, and the richness of home-cooked food. It’s been a while since I’ve come home to this. I turn toward the kitchen, and there she is. Imogene, standing by the counter, her hair loosely tied back, wearing an apron. An apron? She rarely cooks these days. “You’re just in time,” she says, as she steps toward me. I raise an eyebrow. “You cooked?”She smiles and n
Imogene Scott[Me: Damien agreed to go to the baseball match. Our plan is still go-go]I text Breonna as I step into the gallery. Now that we’ve done the easy part of the plan, which is getting Damien out of the house, we only need to worry about the other part.I’m pretty sure nobody is as excited as me about this party. I can already imagine the look of surprise on his face when he steps through the door and sees the surprise we pulled for him. As I walk deeper into the gallery, I see Emmett standing by the entrance to my office. “Good morning, Imogene.” he says. "Someone’s waiting for you in your office,"I stop mid-step and my heart skips. I know exactly who’s inside, but the knot in my stomach still tightens. I asked for this, didn’t I? It’s for Damien, I remind myself as I take a deep breath and nod at Emmett. "Thanks," He gives me a brief smile but doesn’t say more. I can tell he’s as uncertain about this as I am, though for different reasons. He doesn’t know the full s
Damien Shaw The next three days are perfect. Less work for Imogene, more time spent with her, just the way I’ve always wanted it to be. In three consecutive days, I’ve come home to find her in the kitchen, cooking. It’s like she’s determined to make up for lost time, and with every moment I spend with her, I fall even more in love.My birthday is in two days. I’m not too psyched about the baseball match with the very mysterious Emmett—I don’t even know how that’s going to go—but the family dinner? That’s what I’m really looking forward to. It’s the thought of being together, just the three of us, that makes me feel like things are finally right.Tonight, after dinner, Imogene puts Lily to sleep while I read her a bedtime story. Lily’s tiny hand grips mine as she listens to me fumble through the pages. Her eyelids get heavier with each word, and by the time I finish, she’s already drifting off. Imogene tucks her well under the blanket and smiles at me from across the room.We
Imogene Scott “I told you not to put those balloons there!” I shout across the room.Breonna gives me one of those long, tired looks—the kind that says ‘you’re worrying too much’—but continues tying the red balloon to the pole anyways. Of course, she doesn’t listen. We’ve got five hours to pull this off, and she’s focusing on the least important details. My nerves are stretched thin, even though we have a whole crew of event planners working to transform the house into something magical. Everyone’s playing their parts perfectly so far. Emmett’s doing a great job distracting Damien, keeping him far away from the house. Keith has handled the guest list and sent out all the invitations, which is why we’ve been texting so much lately. Breonna made sure the event planners pulled through at the last minute.But despite everything, I’m still worried. I really need this to be perfect for Damien.I turn to one of the event planners bustling nearby. “Where’s the cake?”“It’ll be here in le
Imogene Scott I laugh. “As the birthday king pleases.”I walk to the door, flicking the lock, anticipation buzzing through my veins as I turn back to him. He nods and pulls me towards him, claiming my mouth in a deep kiss. Our mouths fuse, he cradles the back of my head, then slides his hand down to the back of my neck. The touch is possessive and I love it.A low, thick moan tears from his throat, the sound muffled between our mouths. His naked need soothes some of the jagged edges I’m feeling, and shivers run through me. He pulls back slight, breathing heavily. “How much time do we have?”I glance at the clock on the wall and press my forehead to his, trying to catch my breath. “5-6 minutes.”His mouth curls into a sexy grin. “I can work with that.”He captures my lips in a lush kiss again. He devours me like he has been starved for me since forever. And I devour him back, inhaling his sexy, masculine scent, and feeling his hot, uneven breath on my skin. Lust grows until it see
Damien Shaw The sound of clinking glasses and soft music fills the air as I make my way through the party, greeting guests with a smile. The ballroom looks amazing—Imogene really outdid herself. The whole night feels so perfect and it’s all thanks to her. I catch a glimpse of her in the distance, laughing with a group of people. I really am the luckiest guy in the room. But then my gaze shifts, and I spot Breonna and Emmett in the corner. They’re deep in a conversation and their heads are close together, smiling like they’re sharing some private joke. It’s weird, really. I’ve noticed they don’t argue as much anymore, which is a relief. I’m not against whatever’s going on between them, but Emmett… there’s something about him. He’s this mysterious and secretive guy. Even when we went to that baseball game earlier today, it felt like he was holding something back. He was fun enough, sure, but there’s an underlying vibe that doesn’t sit right with me. I walk over and interrupt th
Damiem Shaw I stare at the name, the bile rising in my throat. Imogene has been meeting my father behind my back? My father, who walked out on me and my mom when I was barely old enough to remember his face? The man who left us to pick up the pieces of his mess, who disappeared without a trace only to show up out of the blue?Why? Why would she meet him? What could they possibly be talking about? I feel sick. She’s been meeting him. Behind my back. I clench the phone tighter, my mind screaming with questions. Why didn’t she tell me?I need to find Imogene.I push through the crowd. My chest is tight and every breath is coming out short and shallow. The room feels too loud, too full, people laughing, chatting, drinking. But all I can hear is the pounding of my heart.I spot Imogene by the far end of the room, still laughing with some guests. My hands clench at my sides as I make my way over. I don’t say anything when I reach her; I just grab her hand, hard, and start pulling her aw
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