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Chapter 84
CHARLOTTE
The moment the door swung open, my breath hitched.
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Rosalie stood there, her gaze bouncing between me and Liam, her expression unreadable. My stomach twisted. Had she heard us?
I felt Liam tense beside me. He didn’t move, but I caught the way his jaw tightened. I darted a glance at him–just a quick flicker of panic before I forced my face into something warm and inviting.
A smile. That was always the first defense.
“Rosalie!” I exclaimed, stepping forward, my voice dripping with forced cheerfulness. “What a surprise! I wasn’t expecting you.”
Rosalie’s brows furrowed slightly. Her tone was flat when she replied, “This is my father’s house.”
I let out a breathy laugh, waving my hand like she’d just said something ridiculous. “Oh, of course! That’s not what I meant. I just wasn’t expecting you here right now.”
Her gaze flickered to Liam, and immediately, I saw the suspicion creep into her eyes.
“I wasn’t expecting to see Liam here either,” she said slowly, stepping further into the room. “What’s going on?”
My pulse spiked, but I kept my expression smooth.
Liam leaned lazily against the doorframe, arms crossed, his lips curling into a smirk. “You make it sound like something shady is happening,” he said, his voice laced with amusement.
Rosalie’s sharp eyes snapped to him. “I just want to know why you’re here.
There was a weight in her words, an unspoken demand for the truth.
I quickly stepped in before the conversation could take a wrong turn. “Oh, come on, Rosalie,” I said lightly, rolling my eyes. “You don’t have to play detective. Liam is part of Damien’s company. He just came by to talk about a few upcoming projects.”
Rosalie looked at me, searching my face, looking for cracks in my story. My heart pounded, but I kept my smile soft and reassuring.
After a long pause, she nodded, though I could tell she wasn’t fully convinced.
Liam chuckled under his breath. “See? No big deal.” He pushed off the doorframe, adjusting his jacket. “You’re always so paranoid about me.”
Rosalie said nothing, only watching as he strolled toward the door.
“I should get going,” he said, turning to me. “I’ll keep you updated.”
I met his gaze and gave a small, knowing nod. “Good.”
As he stepped out, Rosalie suddenly turned to me, her voice quieter now. “You should stay away from him.”
I blinked. “Excuse me?”
Her fingers curled into her dress. “I just don’t like his aura,” she admitted, her voice hesitant but firm. “There’s something off
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I felt a surge of itation, but I kept my face neutral “Just because you and Liam aren’t best friends doesn’t mean I have to hate him sool I scupped. “He’s a valuable business partner.
Rosalie sigbed rubbing her forehead. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I just–never mind.”
I watched as she hesitated, something heavy pressing against her mind. Then finally, she let out a slow breath.
“I came to talk to you about something” she said
Iited my head, feigning curiosity. “Oh!”
She swallowed. “Damien’s family wants him to divorce me.”
widened my eyes, grasping softly. “What?” I stepped closer, placing a hand over my chest as if the news physically pained
“Why would they do that? It’s not their place to decide what happens in your marriage!”
Rosalie let out a shaky breath, and to my satisfaction. I saw the glisten of unshed tears in her eyes.
“I don’t know she whispered “I just–1 never– I know I always sort for this but I didn’t think it would turn out this messy…”
I reached on, pulling her into a hug, running my hand soothingly down her back. “Oh, Rosalie, 1 murmured, my voice gentle, comforting
She chang to me, her body trembling slightly.
“I don’t know what to do,” she said again, her voice breaking.
I pressed my lips together, pretending to think. Then, after a moment, I pulled back just enough to look her in the eyes.
“Maybe you should consider it
Her entire body stiffened. “What?”
I sighed, giving her a look of deep sympathy. “Rosalie, Damien’s family doesn’t even like you. They’ve never accepted you, and they probably never will” I reached for her hands, holding them between mine. “Do you really want to spend the rest of your life fighting for a place that was never meant to be yours?”
She stared at me, her lips parting slightly, her mind whirring with doubt.
“But—I—he is changing for me Charlotte and I feel there can be hope in our marriage,” she murmured, almost as if she was trying to convince herself.
I tilted my head, softening my expression. “Do you? Or are you just holding on because you don’t want to lose?”
Her breath hitched
I could see the war inside her, the battle between her heart and the reality that I was painting for her. She wanted to believe. Damien’s love was enough. She wanted to believe she and Damien could withstand this storm.
But I knew better.
And soon, so would she
I gave her hands a gentle squeeze. “Just think about it,” I whispered. “No one deserves to live like this. Constantly proving yourself. Constantly fighting”
Rosalie swallowed hard. “I will. I just–I need time.”
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Chapter 84
I nodded, keeping my expression kind. “Of course. Whatever you decide, I’m here for you.”
She gave me a small, hesitant smile before standing up. “I should go.”
I stood as well, brushing imaginary dust off my skirt. “Take care, Rosalie,” I said warmly, watching as she walked toward the door.
As soon as it shut behind her, my smile dropped.
Perfect.
I walked to the window, parting the curtain just enough to see her getting into her car. She looked deep in thought, her fingers gripping the steering wheel as she stared straight ahead. I knew my words had gotten to her.
“Just a matter of time,” I murmured to myself.
She was already breaking. I could see it in the way her voice wavered, the way doubt clouded her eyes. She wasn’t as strong as she thought she was, and Damien’s family had made it so easy. I had been waiting for this moment, waiting for the cracks in their marriage to show. And now? Now, all I had to do was push a little more.
A soft chuckle escaped my lips as I turned away from the window. “By hook or crook, Damien will be mine.”
I had spent too long watching him waste himself on someone like her–someone weak, someone undeserving. I had been patient, biting my tongue, waiting for the moment when fate would finally hand me what I wanted. And now, fate had delivered
I walked slowly back to the couch, my fingers trailing over the armrest as I sat down. The room was still, the only sound being the faint ticking of the clock. I leaned back, crossing one leg over the other, my mind racing with thoughts.
“Poor thing.” I muttered mockingly, shaking my head.
She had walked in here today thinking I would be her shoulder to cry on, thinking she could trust me. And I had played my role perfectly–comforting, understanding, pretending to be on her side. It had been almost too easy. She was so desperate for someone to listen, to tell her she wasn’t alone.
But she was.
She was alone, and soon, she would see that.
“Damien needs someone who truly understands him,” I mused, tilting my head. “Not someone who clings to him like a lost little girl”
Once Rosalie was out of the way, once the dust settled, Damien would see who had been there for him all along.
Mc.
A slow, satisfied smile spread across my lips.
It w
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