The first thing I did was run. I couldn’t face the humiliation, so I bolted without a second glance, probably leaving both the man and woman stunned but I didn’t care, I had to save the little dignity I had left.
What had I just done? The second Sebastian and Daniel left me alone, I caused trouble. Great. I was so dumb-I wanted nothing more than for the ground to open up and swallow me whole.
As I sprinted away, too busy contemplating my life choices to watch where I was going, I abruptly collided with someone, the impact causing something warm to spill all over me.
“What the fuck?! Are you blind?” a shrill female voice snapped, and I gasped, realizing I had accidentally spilled the person’s drink.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry, it was a…” I began to apologize, but the moment I looked up and saw the person, I froze, unable to get a word out.
My body tensed, and a shiver ran down my spine as I took in the sight of the woman in front of me. Before I knew it, I instinctively took a step back.
“What do you mean you’re sorry? Do you even know how expensive this dress is?!” she sneered, her tone dripping with venom. But before she could say anything more, another voice cut her off.
“Tessa. Please, calm down and don’t overreact,” a softer, more composed voice interjected as a woman stepped forward.
My eyes flickered to the woman and I sucked in a harsh breath. Blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. The woman exuded both beauty and class, but that wasn’t what caught me off guard.
I had met her before. I couldn’t remember how, but I knew I had, because the moment my eyes locked on her, all I felt was intense, burning hate and disgust.
“Caeline, what do you mean ‘don’t overreact’? Didn’t you see how she bumped into me? And it’s not like she’s blind,” the woman, Tessa, hissed, her voice dripping with disdain. But I wasn’t paying attention to her anymore.
How could I, when I couldn’t tear my gaze away from the other woman?
Caelina. That name, where had I heard it before.
“Caelina is carrying my child, and I intend to divorce you and marry her.”
It was only a fleeting moment, but those haunting words echoed in the back of my mind, as though they were clawing their way out of a buried memory. My chest tightened, and I squeezed my eyes shut, groaning softly as my head throbs painfully.
“I know, but this is Mrs. Emily, the wife of Mr. Alexander Knight. It must have been a genuine mistake, so please pardon her.”
“Emily Knight?” I opened my eyes as I felt her gaze sweep over me, and then, as if relaxation dawned on her, her eyes widened in shock. “Oh my goodness, Mrs. Emily, I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize it was you. I haven’t seen you in over a year now, and I couldn’t recognize you. I hope you don’t mind.”
Her hand reached out to touch me, but before she could, I took another step away, flinching as though her touch would burn me and my body trembled before I could stop myself.
This reaction seemed to shock them, as the two women turned to look at each other in surprise.
I took a deep breath to steady myself and tried to think straight, but no matter what I did, I couldn’t stop the emotions surging through me.
Pain, grief and utter hatred.
My bottom lip trembled, and my chest tightened painfully, but I clenched my hands into tight fists as I forced myself to speak and smile.
“It’s fine, I’m sorry for accidentally spilling your drink. I hope you’re not angry.”
The tension broke instantly as the two women smiled warmly.
“How could I be angry? I know it was a mistake,” Tessa replied, her tone surprisingly friendly now. “I haven’t seen you in a year! I heard about your accident and how you went abroad to get treatment for it. I hope you are better now?”
I blinked for a moment, trying to process her words, then nodded. “Thank you, I am,” I replied, my tone polite. “I’m sorry for what I did again. I’ll take my leave.” I didn’t understand why, but I felt an overwhelming urge to step away from their presence at that moment.
But before I could, I stopped dead in my tracks as my eyes landed on the man standing in front of me.
“Damien.” The name slipped from my lips in a breathless gasp before I could stop myself, and I found myself taking a step closer to him as tears welled up in my eyes.
The man raised his eyes in surprise, his gaze locking with mine, and for a moment, it felt like everything else faded, leaving just him and me. My heart pounded heavily against my chest, and I found myself unable to breathe.
My heart… It hurts. I couldn’t understand the kind of pain I was feeling, but it hurt so badly.
“Damien, when did you arrive? You are quite late.” Caelina’s voice cut through the silence as she stepped to Damien’s side, wrapping her arm around him and placing a kiss on his cheek.
The sight felt like a knife to my heart, and as I stood there, watching them. Damien finally turned his attention away from me, his lips curling into a smile as he kissed her back.
Whatever spell had held me captive shattered in an instant and I stared in confusion, wiping at the tear that fell down my cheek.
W-was I crying?
“I’m sorry for being late. I had a small accident on the way with someone, but it’s all sorted out now,” Damien said casually.
“An accident? Are you sure you’re okay? You’re not hurt, are you?” Caelina asked, her voice dripping with concern.
Damien chuckled softly, shaking his head. “I’m fine. You always worry about me. That’s why you’re the perfect wife, my darling.”
“Oh please, you two should get a room already and stop disgusting me,” Tessa, the woman whose drink I had spilled, joked, and I could see the smug expression on her face. Her voice was playful as she walked up to Damien, her arm wrapping around his free one.
“But you’re right-my sister-in-law is amazing. Definitely better than the last one-”
“Oh, Tessa, stop it,” Caelina interjected, her tone gentle but there was a hint of delight in her expression.
The corners of my lips curved down in a frown as I watched. I was about to leave, but before I could, I felt Damien’s gaze flicker to me, his eyes narrowing as though he was trying to decipher something about me.
Caelina must have noticed because she suddenly spoke up, her eyes darting between Damien and me.
“Oh, where are my manners? Damien, you must remember Mrs. Emily-Mr. Alexander’s wife.”
Damien’s expression shifted to one of surprise before he chuckled in amusement. “What a coincidence,” he said with a smile, extending his hand for a handshake. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Emily. My name is Damien.”
I stared at his outstretched hand, hesitation rooting me in place. I didn’t want to take it, but the weight of everyone’s expectant gazes made it impossible to refuse. Reluctantly, I extended my hand, but just before I could make contact, another hand shot out and clasped his instead.
“Alexander, we’ve met earlier” a deep, commanding voice cut through the tension, and I instinctively looked up to meet the imposing figure now standing beside me. His sharp features were as cold as his tone. “Emily’s husband,” he continued, his piercing gaze fixed on Damien. “And I don’t appreciate another man trying to touch my wife.”