Not that even if she told him what Elena came here to say he’d believe her. She looked to him in the eye and she felt like a criminal.She just walked out of him to her room. The Next DayCarmela sat alone in the massive dining room, her untouched plate of food before her. The early morning sun filtered through the tall windows, casting a golden glow across the table, but it brought no warmth. Not to her.The events of the previous day weighed heavily on her chest. Damion’s cold, accusing gaze. His cutting words. And, most of all, the realization that nothing she said or did would make him believe her.He doesn’t trust me. He never will.Even if she told him the truth—that they had been together that night before their wedding—he would accuse her of lying. His disbelief would crush her more than his accusations ever could.She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to stave off the chill that seemed to settle deep in her bones. She felt like a stranger in her own life.Upstairs, Dam
THE BLAKES MANSIONCarmela sat on the edge of her childhood bed, staring blankly at the familiar pale blue walls. The house smelled the same—faintly of lavender and fresh linen—but nothing about being home felt comforting. Not when her life had unraveled so spectacularly in the span of a single day.Her mother had tried to console her, but the weight of disappointment in her father’s eyes lingered, and her chest ached from it. Now, the silence of her room felt deafening.The door creaked open, and Lily stepped inside, her arms crossed and her brow furrowed.“Carmela,” she started, her voice sharp, “what the hell happened?”Carmela’s lips trembled. “I messed up.”“Messed up?” Lily closed the door behind her and sat down on the bed. “That’s putting it lightly, don’t you think? Damion threw you out. Pregnant. And let’s not forget, he’s the father.”“Keep your voice down,” Carmela whispered, her face crumpling.“Why?” Lily snapped. “You should’ve told him the truth!”Carmela flinched, her
The moment Damion stepped out of the department, the tension in the room shifted. Mr. Graves, who had been shaking just seconds ago, now turned his fury toward Carmela.“You,” he hissed, his face red with anger as he loomed over her desk. “What the hell have you done now?”Carmela flinched, her hands clutching the edge of her chair. “I—I didn’t do anything.”“Didn’t do anything?” Graves spat, his voice low but venomous. “Do you have any idea what you’ve caused? Do you think Mr. Blackwood comes down here every day? He came because of you! Do you enjoy embarrassing me in front of the CEO?”“I didn’t mean to—” she started, but he cut her off with a sharp gesture.“Save it,” he snapped. “You’re lucky I’m not throwing you out of this building myself. If you screw up one more time, Blake, you’re gone. Do you hear me? Gone.”Carmela nodded quickly, her throat tightening with unshed tears.Before Graves could continue his tirade, a voice interrupted them.“Ms. Blake.”She turned to see one of
Carmela sat stiffly in the chair, her hands clasped tightly in her lap as Damion stared at her from across the desk. His cold, unreadable gaze pinned her in place, making her feel small and exposed.He leaned back in his chair, reaching into a drawer before pulling out a stack of papers. Without a word, he placed them on the desk and slid them toward her.Her eyes flicked to the papers, her breath catching as she read the bold words at the top.DIVORCE AGREEMENT.Her heart dropped.“Sign it,” Damion said, his voice devoid of emotion.Carmela’s head snapped up, her wide, tear-filled eyes meeting his. “What? Damion, I don’t—”“You heard me,” he interrupted, his tone sharp. “Sign the papers, Carmela. This… whatever this is, ends now.”“For Fuck SAKE! We’re in a work place.” Tears stung her eyes as she shook her head. “Why? Why are you doing this?”He leaned forward, his elbows resting on the desk as he fixed her with a hard stare. “Why?” he repeated, his voice low and cutting. “You mean
The meeting had dragged longer than Damion anticipated, but his focus had been far from the agenda. His mind had been consumed with thoughts of Carmela—her tear-streaked face, her trembling voice as she insisted the child was his, and the look of utter devastation when he handed her the divorce papers.He hated how she had gotten under his skin, but more than that, he hated how the memory of her boss’s treatment earlier made his blood boil. He wanted to fire the man on the spot, but doing so would raise questions he wasn’t ready to answer.As the meeting concluded, he loosened his tie, his thoughts circling back to Carmela. His feet moved on their own as he made his way to the elevator, heading toward her department.When the doors opened to the lower levels, Damion stepped out and scanned the floor. The atmosphere was busy but tense, a reflection of the rigid leadership under Mr. Graves. Damion kept to the shadows, moving along the hall until he spotted her.Carmela stood by the prin
Lily came rushing across the crosswalk, her face pale with panic as she dropped to her knees beside Carmela.“Carmela!” she exclaimed, gripping her shoulders. “Are you alright? What the hell just happened?”Carmela, still shaken, nodded weakly, her legs trembling as she tried to stand. “I… I’m fine,” she murmured, though her voice betrayed the fear still gripping her.“Fine?” Lily’s voice rose. “You were almost hit by a car! You’re shaking like a leaf—”Before Lily could continue, Damion’s voice cut through the chaos like a blade.“What were you thinking?” he snapped, his sharp gray eyes locked on Carmela. “Were you not paying attention? Didn’t you see the car coming?”His voice, cold and commanding, jolted her out of her daze. She turned to him, anger flaring in her chest.“What about you?” she shot back, her voice louder than she intended. “Did you see me? Or were you too busy rushing to wherever you were going?”Damion’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing. But before he could respon
The silence that fell over the table was deafening. All eyes were fixed on Damion as he stood towering behind Carmela, his presence consuming the space with an oppressive weight.Jason, the colleague who had been flirting just moments ago, shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “M-Mr. Blackwood,” he stammered, his voice trembling.Without a word, Damion reached forward, gripping the back of Jason’s chair and pulling it back abruptly. Jason barely had time to stand before Damion sank into the seat, now directly across from Carmela.Her heart raced, her pulse thrumming in her ears as she locked eyes with him. His expression was unreadable, but the sharp intensity in his gaze sent a shiver down her spine.“Don’t mind me,” Damion said coolly, leaning back in the chair and crossing his arms. “Continue with whatever you were doing.”The tension was palpable, the air so thick it was hard to breathe.Lily, ever the bold one, cleared her throat and plastered on a nervous smile. “Well, we were abou
The table fell silent as Carmela’s hand slammed down, the glass teetering on the edge before tipping over and spilling its contents across the polished wood.“Carmela!” Lily exclaimed, grabbing a napkin and hurriedly trying to clean the spreading alcohol.But Carmela didn’t move. Her eyes were locked on Damion, her expression tight with anger and frustration.Damion’s hand lingered on hers for just a second longer before he let go, his gaze steady and unreadable.“What do you want from me?” Carmela’s voice trembled, not with fear but with suppressed rage.The group shifted uncomfortably, sensing the growing tension but unsure how to intervene.Lily, always one to protect her friend, nudged Carmela’s arm and whispered, “Carmela, don’t do this.”But it was too late. Carmela pushed back her chair abruptly, the sound grating against the floor, and stood. Without another word, she stormed off toward the bathroom, leaving behind a trail of uneasy silence.Inside the bathroom, Carmela grippe
The café’s quiet hum is shattered as the two men in dark suits step forward, their commanding presence immediately drawing all eyes. Their expressions are cold and impassive, their movements deliberate as they approach Damion. He stiffens, his jaw clenching, but he doesn’t move. “Mr. Damion Ryder,” the taller man announces, his voice a low rumble that cuts through the air. “You are being detained under orders from Mr. Lionel Grayson for unpaid debts totaling $85 million. You will be held in custody until the matter is resolved or payment is made in full.” My breath catches. Eighty-five million dollars? The figure rings in my ears like a death knell. My gaze snaps to Damion, whose expression hardens, though his hands twitch at his sides as if fighting the urge to lash out. “This is a mistake,” Damion says, his voice sharp but steady. “Grayson knows I’m working on it. I just need more time.” The shorter man steps forward, pulling out a pair of handcuffs. “Time’s up, Mr. Ryder.
I clench my fists, the receipt burning a hole in my pocket. “What are you doing here?” I snap, my voice shaking with barely restrained fury. She raises an eyebrow, stepping closer. “I live here now, Isabelle. Didn’t Damion tell you?” The air leaves my lungs. She lives here? The realization hits me like a tidal wave. Damion hadn’t just moved on—he’d replaced me, piece by piece, with the woman who had been scheming with him all along. “Get out of my way,” I hiss, my voice low and dangerous. Kaia doesn’t budge. Her smirk widens as she leans in, her voice a whisper. “You should really learn to pick your battles, Izzy. Damion always wins.” Her words are like a slap, but I refuse to let her see me falter. I shove past her, slamming the door behind me as I step into the crisp morning air. My legs tremble as I make my way to the car, but my mind is racing. This isn’t over. Not by a long shot. As I drive away, my phone buzzes on the passenger seat. I glance at the screen, my he
Robert interjects, his voice firm. “That is absurd, Mr. Ryder. The trust clearly states the funds are to be equally divided between Isabelle and yourself, with her receiving control once the marriage is dissolved.” Damion turns his icy gaze on Robert. “I’ve been the one ensuring this inheritance didn’t fall apart under poor management. Isabelle’s been out of the loop for years. I’ve earned this share.” My hands tremble, and I slam them against the table. “You’re unbelievable! You’ve been using this money to control us, to control me. And now you want ninety percent? No. Absolutely not.” Damion doesn’t flinch, his lips curling into a faint smirk. “Then perhaps you should come by the house tomorrow and finish collecting your things. There’s no need to prolong this any further.” I freeze again, his words slicing through me. Of course—my things were still in his house. Clothes, books, pieces of my life I’d left behind in the chaos of our separation. This was because, I didn’t wa
The rain pounds against the pavement as I stand on the edge of the street, my body drenched and trembling. My phone slips from my numb fingers, hitting the ground with a soft thud. The words from the hospital still echo in my mind: “Your mother has just passed away.” A sob tears through my chest, raw and uncontrollable, blending with the relentless downpour. The world around me feels blurred and meaningless. First Damion, now this—how much more can I lose before there’s nothing left of me? I drop to my knees, the cold water soaking through my clothes as my fingers fumble to pick up my phone. I clutch it tightly, my breaths shallow and panicked. Somewhere in the haze of my thoughts, a sliver of resolve flickers to life. I can’t fall apart here—not in front of Damion’s building, not with Kaia’s smug face probably watching from a window. My mother wouldn’t have wanted me to crumble. I need to go to her—to say goodbye, even if it’s too late. The cab ride to the hospital feels li
The hallway is quiet, the hum of computers and low conversations giving way to the evening exodus as employees file out for the day. The silence stretches, interrupted only by the occasional sound of footsteps fading into the distance. I clutch the strap of my purse tighter, my heartbeat drumming a wild rhythm. Each step toward Damion’s office feels heavier than the last, my nerves tangling into knots. I shouldn’t be here, sneaking past his assistant’s empty desk, but the urgency in my chest won’t let me wait any longer. The golden light of sunset filters through the high windows, casting long, fractured shadows across the polished floor. I reach the door, already ajar, and push it open just enough to slip inside. The sight before me freezes me in place. Kaia stands close to Damion, her smile sharp as she leans toward him, her fingers brushing his tie with the ease of someone who has practiced the gesture countless times. Their faces are inches apart, and the easy familiarit
The hum of the elevator fills the silence between us, a tangible reminder of the chasm that has grown between our lives. We say nothing to each other. The silence is thick, oppressive, almost suffocating. I keep my eyes fixed on the illuminated floor numbers, counting them like seconds ticking down to some inevitable conclusion. Each ding echoes with memories I’d rather forget. Damion stands behind me, his presence looming like a shadow. The air seems to thicken with every passing moment, weighted down by all the words we’ll never say. I want to speak, to break the tension, but my throat is dry, and my palms are clammy with sweat. My heart races, my body betraying the panic I’m trying so desperately to suppress. Suddenly, the elevator jolts. The lights flicker as it slows abruptly, sending me stumbling backward. Before I can regain my footing, strong arms wrap around me, steadying me against the hard line of his chest. His touch burns through the fabric of my blouse, warm and
The sterile smell of antiseptic bites at my nose as I rush down the hospital hallway, my suitcase trailing behind me like a shadow. The weight of last night hangs heavily on my chest, pressing down with every step, threatening to crush me. My mother’s text is etched in my mind, the urgent call pulling me from one heartbreak and into another. When I reach the reception, I spot Dr. Mensah. His expression is grim as he steps out of my mother’s room, and my stomach twists. “Dr. Mensah,” I gasp, my voice thin with exhaustion. “How is she?” He looks at me for a moment, the furrow in his brow deepening. “Isabelle, I’m glad you came quickly. Your mother’s condition is worsening. We need to increase her treatment regimen, but that also means higher costs.” The room tilts, the weight of his words crashing into me. “I understand,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “But what about the funding from my—” I stop, the words catching in my throat. “From Damion? The arrangement we had sh
I close the door to our—no, his—bedroom, the sound echoing through the empty halls like the final note of a funeral march. The weight of the evening presses down on me, suffocating and inescapable. My fingers tremble as I reach for the suitcase at the foot of the bed, the one I hadn’t touched since our honeymoon. How ironic that it would be the last witness to this chapter of my life. The room still carries traces of us: the silk sheets tangled from restless nights, the scent of his cologne lingering in the air like an uninvited memory. Every detail feels like a cruel joke, mocking me with what I’ve lost. I stand in the center, numb, trying to process what just happened downstairs. Kaia’s mocking smile, her possessive arm around Damion’s waist, the way he didn’t even flinch when she kissed him in front of everyone. It wasn’t just betrayal—it was annihilation, a public declaration that I was nothing. I sit on the edge of the bed, my hands fisting the fabric of my dress, now w
SynopsisIsabelle Everett's perfect life crumbles when her billionaire husband, Damion Ryder, serves her divorce papers on their anniversary. Betrayal, heartbreak, and deceit propel her into a six-year journey of self-discovery.Now, with secrets exposed and old flames rekindled, Isabelle must choose between the man who broke her heart or her high school sweetheart, the one who's always loved her but has an ulterior motive. Will forgiveness transform their lives, or will the past destroy their future?Chapter 1 “I have something for you,” Damion says, his voice cutting through the chatter and laughter surrounding us. I turn to face him, my heart skipping a beat. The celebration is grand—golden lights casting their warm glow, guests mingling, a symphony playing softly in the background. But none of that matters now. All I see is Damion, holding an envelope with a look so unreadable it sends a chill down my spine. “Happy anniversary,” I whisper, forcing a smile, hoping for even a f