DAMIEN
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The office felt suffocating. No matter how many times I tried to focus on work, my mind kept drifting back to last night–to Rosalie, to the fight, to the way she looked at me with fear in her eyes.
That image haunted me.
I ran a hand through my hair and exhaled sharply, frustration bubbling in my chest. What the hell was wrong with me? Why did I let my anger control me like that? I wasn’t proud of it, not even a little. But at the time, it felt justified–at least, that’s what I had convinced myself.
Now, in the cold light of day, all I saw was the damage I had caused..
I slammed my laptop shut, unable to pretend like I was getting any real work done. My thoughts were too loud, the weight in my chest too heavy.
A knock at my office door barely registered before it swung open.
Elijah strolled in like he owned the place, dressed in his usual sharp suit, the same easygoing arrogance on his face. He took one look at me and let out a low whistle.
“Damn, man. You look like hell.” He dropped into the chair across from me.
I leaned back in my chair, rubbing a hand over my face. “Feel like it too.
Elijah studied me for a second before raising an eyebrow. “Alright, spill. What’s got you looking like someone ran over your dogi”
I hesitated. I hated talking about my problems, even with Elijah. But at this point, I was so damn tired of keeping it all in.
“It’s my family.” I admitted. “They’re forcing me to divorce Rosalie. They ambushed me at dinner last night, tore her apart like she was nothing, told me she wasn’t good enough, that she was ruining our name.”
Elijah’s smirk disappeared. “What the hell? And what did you say?”
“I told them no, obviously. But that’s not even the worst part.” I let out a bitter chuckle. “I took all that anger home with me and snapped at Rosalie. She disappeared for a while, and when she got back, I–I stopped, shaking my head, ashamed.
Elijah’s expression darkened. “You what?”
“I yelled at her. Got paranoid. Accused her of lying.” I clenched my fists. “She was just out for a damn walk, and I didn’t believe her. She looked at me like–like I was the enemy. And I don’t blame her.”
Elijah was silent for a moment before he exhaled. “Look, man, I get it. You’re under pressure. Your family’s on your ass, and you feel like you’re losing control. But you can’t take that out on her. You gotta fix this before you really mess things up.”
“I know,” I muttered.
“Then do something about it,” he said simply. “Talk to her. Apologize properly. And stop avoiding her like a coward.”
I shot him a glare, but I knew he was right. I had to face her.
Elijah leaned back in his chair, watching me with a knowing look. “So, what are you gonna do?”
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. “I’ll talk to her. Apologize properly. Make sure she knows this won’t happen again.”
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Chapter 82
Elijah nodded. “Good. Because if you keep screwing up like this, she’s gonna be out the door before you even realize it.”
A sharp pang hit my chest at the thought. The idea of Rosalie leaving–of walking away and never looking back–made my
stomach churn.
“I won’t let that happen.” I said firmly.
Elijah stood, straightening his suit. “Then fix it. And stop acting like your family controls your life. You’re Damien Hale. Act
like it.”
I smirked slightly. “You sound like a damn therapist.”
He chuckled. “If I start charging, you better be ready to pay up.”
I shook my head as he walked to the door.
He paused, looking over his shoulder. “And Damien?”
I met his gaze.
“Don’t just say sorry–show her,” he said before walking out.
I sat there for a long moment after he left, staring at the empty space where he’d been. He was right. Words weren’t enough. I had to show her that I meant it
With that in mind. I forced myself to focus and wrap up my work. But no matter how hard I tried, my mind kept drifting back to Rosalie. To the way she looked at me last night. To the way she hadn’t even picked up my calls this morning.
By the time I finally closed my laptop, the office was nearly empty. I grabbed my keys and headed out, barely noticing the drive home. My grip on the steering wheel was tight, my chest heavy with unease.
I had no idea what kind of reception I’d get when I walked through that door. But one thing was certain–I wasn’t going to avoid this anymore.
I had to make things right.
That night, I walked into the house with my heart hammering in my chest. I wasn’t used to this. I wasn’t used to feeling like I had something to lose.
But I did.
Rosalie was my wife. And if I wasn’t careful, I’d lose her–maybe not physically, but emotionally.
And that terrified me.
I found her in the bedroom, sitting on the edge of the bed, scrolling through her phone. The moment I walked in, she tensed but didn’t look up.
“Rosalie,” I said.
No response.
I sighed and stepped closer. “I know you’re mad. You have every right to be.”
Still, nothing
I clenched my jaw. “Rosalie, please. Just hear me out.”
She finally looked up, and the coldness in her eyes sent a sharp stab of guilt through my chest.
Chapter 82
“Im not mad” she said. “I just don’t have anything to say.””
That hurt more than I expected.
I ran a hand through my hair. “I was an asshole last night.”
She let out a short, humorless hugh “You think!”
I stepped closer. “Rosalie. I didn’t mean to-”
“Didn’t mean to what?” She stood up suddenly, crossing her arms. “Didn’t mean to accuse me of lying? Didn’t mean to yell at me? Didn’t mean to treat me like some criminal who had to explain herself?”
I flinched at her words.
She shook her head. “I don’t even know what I did wrong. Damien. Her voice cracked slightly. “I just went for a walk. I needed air. And you acted like I had committed some kind of crime.”
I exhaled sharply. “I know. I know I did, and I hate myself for it.”
She scoffed. “Oh, well, that makes everything better, doesn’t it?”
I closed my eyes for a moment. “My family is pressuring me to divorce you.”
That got her attention. Her whole body went rigid, her eyes widening “What?”
“They sat me down and told me you weren’t good enough. That I needed to leave you. That I had a duty to my name, to my family.” I let out a bitter laugh. “And instead of dealing with it like a man, I took it out on you
Her lip trembled. “So they hate me that much.”
I stepped forward, but she took a step back, and that cut deeper than I could explain.
“Rosalie, don’t listen to them.”
She looked away, shaking her head. “Maybe they’re right.”
I frowned. “What?”
She laughed, but it was hollow, bitter. “I don’t belong in your world, Damien Your family sees it. The world sees it. Maybe they’re right
“Stop.” I said, my voice firm. “Don’t do that. Don’t let them get in your head.”
“But they’re not wrong, are they?” Her voice was soft, broken. “I couldn’t even study something useful in college. I don’t have some big career or a fancy title. What do I even bring to this marriage? 1 can’t keep pretending everything is fine.”
My chest tightened.
1 grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to look at me. “Don’t you ever say
ever sav
that again.”
Tears welled in her eyes.
-You are
not a burden. You are not a mistake. And I don’t give a damn what they think because you’re
my wife.
Her bottom lip trembled. “But you yelled at me like they do.”
The weight of her words crushed me.
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Chapter 82
“I know.” My voice was barely a whisper. “And I hate myself for it. I let them get to me, and I took it out on you. But I will never do that again.”
She searched my face, as if trying to decide whether to believe me.
“I love you, Rosalie,” I whispered. “And I’m going to fix this. I don’t know how yet, but I will.”
She stared at me for what felt like forever. Then, finally, she nodded.
Relief flooded my chest. I pulled her into my arms, holding her tightly. She didn’t push me away this time.
I pressed a kiss to her temple, closing my eyes. “I’ll fix it,” I whispered again. “I promise.”
And this time, I meant it.
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