Все главы After Divorce: Ex-wife Never Turns Back: Глава 51 - Глава 60

Maya's POVEmily moved through the bar ready to take their order, her face perfectly neutral, her posture stiff.A slow smile curved my lips. The moment was too perfect.Seizing my opportunity, I gestured toward her with syrupy sweetness. “Oh, everyone, you must meet Emily.” I let my voice rise just enough to ensure I had the group’s full attention. “This is Damian’s ex-girlfriend.”The reaction was instant. Heads snapped toward her, eyes widening with interest. The conversation that had been focused on me—on my flawless life—shifted, their curiosity now directed at the woman who had, once upon a time, held Louis’ heart.Emily’s steps faltered for just a fraction of a second, her fingers tightening around the tablet in her hand. She recovered quickly, but I had seen it. The weakness. The sting.I tilted my head, feigning innocence. “Oh, you don’t mind the introduction, do you, Emily?” My voice was light, pleasant, perfectly polite, but the underlying message was clear.She met my gaze

Damian's POVI never intended to come to this party.When Eloise extended the invitation, I had every intention of declining. I had been preparing excuses in my head, knowing that social gatherings hosted by Maya were never just friendly get-togethers. There was always an underlying motive, a scheme brewing beneath her carefully poised smile.But then Eloise mentioned the venue.Emily’s bar.I agreed before I had time to think about it.Now, as I stepped inside with Eloise on my arm, I was immediately reminded of why I had hesitated.Maya was already holding court, her voice lilting with amusement as she spun yet another version of the story she wanted the world to believe. The moment she noticed me, her eyes gleamed, and she turned her attention toward Emily, her tone growing deliberately louder.“Emily, you must know how we feel,” Maya purred, her voice honeyed with false concern. “After everything that’s happened, it’s just so unfortunate that people keep bringing up old wounds. I

Emily's POVThe glass in my hand trembled slightly as I set it down behind the bar. My fingers tightened into a fist for just a moment before I forced myself to release the tension. I couldn’t let them see me falter—not now, not after everything Damian had just said.His words still echoed in my mind, lingering like an unfinished melody. He had stood up for me. He had declared, in front of everyone, that he admired me, respected me, believed in me. I had known, deep down, that his feelings for me were real. And yet, hearing them spoken aloud, laid bare in front of a crowd of people who wanted nothing more than to see me humiliated; it was overwhelming.I should have been grateful. I should have felt vindicated. But instead, all I felt was the sharp edge of complication cutting through me.Because this was exactly what I had wanted to avoid.From across the room, I felt Maya’s venomous gaze searing into me. Though she had recovered her usual poised expression, her fingers were curled a

Emily's POVThe ride home was quiet, but not uncomfortably so. The city lights flickered past the car window, casting shifting shadows over Damian’s face as he drove. My wrist throbbed dully, a reminder of the hours I had spent pouring drinks, shaking cocktails, and carrying trays with more flourish than necessary. I flexed my fingers absently, wincing slightly at the stiffness settling in.Damian noticed. Without a word, he reached over at a stoplight, taking my hand gently in his. His fingers, warm and sure, pressed against the tendons in my wrist, his touch featherlight yet precise. The tension melted almost instantly under his careful ministrations, the ache ebbing away as his thumb moved in slow, deliberate circles. A soft sigh escaped me before I could stop it.“You really are a jack-of-all-trades,” I teased, tilting my head to study him. “Did you pick this up while studying psychiatry?”He glanced at me, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. “Just basic medical knowledge. You’v

Emily's POVMorning sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting golden patterns across the sheets. I stirred, feeling warmth at my side, and when I opened my eyes, I found Damian watching me. His gaze was soft yet intent, as if he were memorizing every detail of my face. A lazy smile tugged at his lips, and my breath hitched at how effortlessly handsome he looked in the morning light.“Good morning,” he murmured, his fingers tracing a slow, delicate path along my arm.I sighed, stretching slightly before turning onto my side to face him. “Morning,” I whispered. For a fleeting moment, I let myself sink into the quiet comfort of his presence.But reality, cruel as always, came rushing back.I had to go home. I had to face my parents.Damian seemed to sense the shift in my mood because he sat up, brushing my hair behind my ear. “I’ll go with you,” he said firmly. “We need to talk to them. Get their blessing.”I hesitated. My parents had already been wary of my relationship with Damia