The Game Begins

The drive home from the courthouse was quiet, but not uncomfortable. She stared out the window, her mind replaying Charles’s wife’s words, while Damian’s thumb absently stroked the back of her hand. The gesture was small, but it made her heart flutter.

“You handled that well,” Damian said finally, breaking the silence.

She turned to look at him. “Charles’s wife, you mean?”

He nodded. “Most people wouldn’t have been so forgiving.”

“I meant what I said.” She sighed, looking down at their joined hands. “Holding onto anger... it doesn’t help anyone.”

His eyes studied her face with an intensity that made her cheeks warm. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, his phone buzzed. His expression hardened as he checked the message.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Mother is hosting a dinner tonight. She’s insisting we attend.” His jaw tightened. “To celebrate the closure of the case.”

Elara’s stomach knotted. After the confrontation with Nina and that phone call with Serena, she knew this wasn’t a simp