Chapter 26
ROSALIE
I sat in the living room with a glass of water in hand, staring blankly at the floor. My mind kept replaying last night, no matter how hard I tried to push it away. The way Damien kissed me, the way I gave in for those few, dangerous seconds–it was all too much to process.
I should’ve stopped him sooner. Should’ve pulled away the moment his lips touched mine. But I didn’t, and now the memory was a swirling mess of heat, confusion, and frustration.
I sipped the water, hoping it would cool the flush rising in my cheeks. But the quiet of the room only made my thoughts
louder.
The sound of the front door opening broke through my spiral. I stiffened, placing the glass on the coffee table as Damien walked in. His tailored suit clung to him like a second skin, and his tie was slightly loosened, as if he’d just stepped out of a meeting.
“Home already?” I asked, keeping my tone even.
His gaze landed on me, and for a moment, his expression softened. “Miss me?” he teased, a smirk tugging at the corner of
his mouth.
I rolled my eyes, ignoring the flutter in my chest. “Whenever you come back home this early, it means you need something so what do you want, Damien?”
He loosened his tie completely and dropped his jacket on the arm of the couch. “How is your health baby?”
“I’m recuperating just fine.” I answered flatly, trying to ignore whatever was going on inside me.
“I’m glad to hear that baby. But we actually need to talk about something. That’s why I came back early.”
I raised a brow. “That doesn’t sound ominous at all.”
He ignored my sarcasm, moving closer. “My family is hosting a dinner tonight.”
“Okay…” I said slowly, unsure of where this was going.
“It’s to celebrate our wedding.”
I blinked, caught off guard. “What?”
Damien sat down across from me, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. “It’s a formal dinner. They’re expecting us both to be there.”
I felt my stomach twist. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Rosalie.” he said, his tone firm but not unkind. “You’re my wife. They’ve been waiting to meet you. It’s important”
I shook my head. “Why do I need to go? You can just tell them I’m busy or something.”
He gave me a pointed look. “You want me to tell my family that my wife–my new wife–couldn’t make it to her own wedding celebration? That would go over well”
I looked away, biting my lip. The thought of being paraded in front of his family as the dutiful wife made my skin crawl.
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Chapter 26
“They’ll like you,” he said after a moment, his voice softer now. “You don’t need to worry”
I let out a bitter laugh. “It’s not them I’m worried about.”
Damien leaned back, running a hand through his hair. “I know this isn’t ideal for you, but it’s a matter of respect. You can’t avoid them forever, Rosalie.”
I frowned, my mind racing with excuses. But deep down, I knew he was right. This was bound to happen sooner or later, and refusing would only make things worse.
After a long silence, I sighed. “Fine. I’ll go.”
“Good,” he said, his smirk returning. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”
“Don’t push it,” I muttered, standing up.
He chuckled but didn’t say anything else as I made my way toward the bedroom.
Standing in front of the closet, I stared blankly at the rows of dresses hanging neatly inside. Formal, casual, too plain, too flashy–I couldn’t decide what was appropriate.
I pulled out a navy blue dress with long sleeves and held it up. Too serious. I grabbed a red one next. Too bold. The more I looked, the more frustrated 1 became.
“Need help?”
I jumped at Damien’s voice, spinning around to find him leaning casually against the doorway.
“Do you ever knock?” I snapped, clutching the dress in my hand. “I’m trying to arrange my outfit for tonight please give r some space.”
He smirked, his eyes scanning the mess I’d created. “You’re overthinking it.”
I frowned. “This is your family we’re talking about. I don’t want to show up looking like I don’t belong.”
Damien crossed the room, stopping just a foot away from me. “You’ll look fine in anything”
“That’s not helpful,” I muttered, turning back to the closet.
He reached past me and pulled out a simple black dress with a delicate neckline and three–quarter sleeves. “Wear this.”
I took it from him, inspecting it closely. It was understated but elegant–a safe choice. “You think this is
He shrugged. “I’d think you look good in a trash bag, but if you want my opinion, this works.”
I rolled my eyes, but a small smile tugged at my lips despite myself. “Alright. I’ll wear it.”
“Good,” he said, stepping back. “Dinner’s in an hour. Don’t keep me waiting downstairs.”
okay?”
I rolled my eyes watching him leave. I can do this. I just need to get through the night with Damien’s family.
me
The car ride to his family’s home was quieter than I expected. Damien sat beside me, one hand resting on the steering wheel
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Chapter 26
and the other on the gearshift. His focus was on the road, but every now and then. I caught him glancing at me out of the corner of his eye.
“Stop staring.” I said without looking at him.
He smirked. “You’re imagining things.”
I shook my head, turning to look out the window. The city lights blurred as we drove, and I tried to focus on anything other than the anxiety building in my chest.
“You’ll be fine,” Damien said, his tone surprisingly gentle.
I turned to him, unsure of whether to believe him or not. “You don’t know that.”
“They’re my family, Rosalie. Trust me, they’ll love you.”
I didn’t respond, but his words lingered in my mind as we pulled into the long driveway of a sprawling estate.
As the car came to a stop, I took a deep breath, bracing myself for whatever was about to come.
We both stepped out together and headed into the imperial building in front of us.
The dining room was as extravagant as I had imagined–shimmering chandeliers, a long mahogany table draped with an ivory tablecloth, and an array of silverware so polished I could see my anxious reflection in them. I gripped my bag tightly as Damien and I stepped into the room, greeted by his family, who were already seated.
Damien’s father, Richard Hale, was the first to acknowledge us. He stood, offering a cordial smile and a firm handshake to Damien before turning to me. His expression remained calm and unreadable, like he was evaluating me.
“So, this is Rosalie,” he said, his tone even, though there was a hint of something beneath it I couldn’t quite place.
“Yes,” Damien said simply, placing a hand on my lower back. “My wife.”
“Welcome,” Richard said, though it felt more like a formality than genuine warmth. “Welcome to our humble home.”
Humble? This place was imperial.
“I’m sorry I and my wife were unable to attend your wedding with Damien. We had urgent business to attend to.” He added with a faint smile.
“It is fine Mr…”
“Call me father. You are my daughter inlaw now aren’t you? Drop the formalities” He smile grew wider this time, relaxing
I nodded with a smile. I think I like his personality already.
His mother, Eleanor Hale, didn’t bother standing. Her sharp, appraising gaze swept over me as though she were inspecting an antique. Her lips pursed slightly, and she gave a stiff nod.
“Rosalie,” she said, her tone clipped. “It’s… lovely to finally meet you. Like my husband said, our apologies for missing your wedding. You look…..ok.”
Ok
Her
words sounded like they were forced through gritted teeth, and I swallowed hard, trying not to let it show that her
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Chapter 26
judgment stung
I
“Rosalie meet Damien younger sisters, Vivienne and Elise. And his cousin Liam.” Richard Hale introduced and I flashed them all warm smiles.
“I’ve met Vivienne and Elise. At the wedding.” I curtly said to him. “And I know Liam already. We all went to the same high school. Lhim and Damien.”
Damien rolled his eyes at my last sentence. Strange.
Vivienne and Elise were both strikingly beautiful, with perfect posture and expressions that matched their mother’s–proud and icy. Vivienne, the eldest, gave me a tight–lipped smile, while Elise barely acknowledged me, instead focusing on adjusting the bracelet on her wrist.
And then there was Liam Hale, Damien’s cousin. He was tall, with sandy blonde hair and a mischievous grin that seemed permanently etched on his face. Unlike the others, his greeting came with a spark of playful energy-
He was always flirty
“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes, Liam said, stepping forward and taking my hand before I could react. He pressed at light kiss to the back of it, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief. “Rosalie you have become more beautiful than I can even remember. I can see why Damien kept you a secret for so long
I felt my cheeks flush, unsure of how to respond. Damien cleared his throat sharply, and Liam shot him a grin.
“Easy.
, cousin,” Liam said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “Just making her feel welcome.”
Damien ignored him, guiding me to a seat next to his at the table. I felt the weight of their stares as I sat down, their silent. judgment wrapping around me like a suffocating blanket.
Dinner began with polite conversation, but it didn’t take long for the subtle jabs to start.
“So, Rosalie,” Eleanor began, her tone deceptively light as she picked up her glass of wine. “I hear your father’s business has been struggling lately. Such a shame, isn’t it?”
My chest tightened, but I forced a small smile. “He’s doing his best to turn things around.”
Eleanor’s lips twitched into a thin smile. “I’m sure he is. It must be difficult for him, though, knowing his son–in–law had to step in to help.
Vivienne laughed softly, swirling her wine glass. “Generous of Damien, really. Not every man would marry a plain girl just to save her family.”
I felt my face burn, but I kept my composure, glancing at Damien. He was focused on his plate, as though he hadn’t heard
them.
Liam, ever the charmer, chimed in with a grin. “Plain? I think Rosalie’s got a quiet elegance. Don’t sell her short, Viv.”
Vivienne rolled her eyes. “Oh, please, Liam. You’d flirt with a brick wall.”
Elise giggled, and Eleanor leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowing on me. “Tell me, Rosalie, what exactly do you bring to this marriage? I’m curious.”
“Mother,” Damien said, his voice calm but edged with warning.
“What?” Eleanor said, feigning innocence. “It’s a fair question. After all, Damien you are well well, successful, wealthy, built
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an empire and name for yourself. And Rosalie-”
“That’s enough,” Damien said, his tone sharp now
But Eleanor ignored him, her gaze still locked on me. “It must be difficult, coming from such a… modest background. Tell me, do you find all of this overwhelming?”
“Eleanor I think you’ve asked more than enough. Have your dinner.” Richard Hale ordered but Eleanor shook her head, enjoying the tremor she created within me.
“I’m just asking a simple question darling. Rosalie dear do you find living with my son overwhelming?” She smirked.
I opened my mouth to respond, but Vivienne cut in. “Oh, she must. I mean, it’s not every day a girl like her gets whisked away to a life like this. Honestly, if Damien hadn’t stepped in, I can’t imagine where she’d be.”
Elise smirked. “Back home with her parents, I suppose. Though, from what I hear, they’re not exactly eager to have her around, are they?”
My stomach twisted, and I clenched my hands in my lap, my nails digging into my palms. I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Stop it,” I said quietly, my voice trembling
The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to me.
“What was that?” Eleanor asked, raising a perfectly arched brow,
“I said stop it,” I repeated, louder this time. “You don’t know anything about me or my family.”
Vivienne snorted. “Oh, we know plenty. Like how they practically sold you to Damien.”
Elise added with a cruel laugh. “And let’s not forget how they didn’t even put up a fight. Guess they figured you weren’t worth much anyway.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I turned to Damien, silently pleading for him to say something. To defend
Inc
But he said nothing.
His jaw was tight, his eyes fixed on his plate, but he didn’t say a word.
“I see,” I said quietly, pushing my chair back. The sound scraped against the floor, loud in the tense silence.
Damien’s head snapped up. “Rosalie-”
“I need some air,” I said, cutting him off.
I stood and walked toward the door, ignoring the whispers and muffled laughter that followed me. My chest felt tight, and my vision blurred as I stepped outside, the cool night air hitting my face like a balm.
I leaned against the railing, gripping it tightly as I tried to steady my breathing. My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of anger, humiliation, and hurt swirling inside me.
How could Damien sit there and let them talk to me like that?
Did he invite me over to get humiliated?
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Chapter 26
How could he let them say those things about my family?
