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Chapter 88
DAYS LATER
ROSALIE
The rhythmic movement of my hands was the only thing keeping me sane. Loop, pull, twist. Repeat. The soft yarn slid through my fingers as I knitted, the familiar motion giving me something–anything–to focus on.
If I stopped, my mind would start spinning again,
Divorce.
That word had been hanging over my head for days now, suffocating me, wrapping itself around my thoughts like a vine. refusing to let go.
I had no idea what Damien was thinking. Did he want it too? Was he just waiting for the right moment to throw the in my face and tell me to pack my things? Or worse–would he not even tell me at all? Would he just come home one day
papers with everything already arranged, cold and decisive as ever?
I swallowed, my fingers tightening around the knitting needles.
I didn’t know anything anymore,
I used to think that if I just tried hard enough, things would work out. But my hard–work wasn’t enough, was it? It didn’t sto the world from tearing us apart. It didn’t erase the scandals, the humiliation, the whispers behind our backs.
Damien had fought for me once. But how much longer before he got tired?
I let out a slow breath, my hands moving faster, as if I could knit the worry away. It didn’t work. The uncertainty sat heavy in my chest, refusing to budge.
And then I heard it.
The front door of the living room opening
Damien.
I froze for half a second, my heart stuttering, before I forced myself to keep knitting. I didn’t want to seem like I was waiting for him. I didn’t want to hope.
I listened to his footsteps, trying to guess his mood. Was he tired? Angry? Indifferent?
Lately, we had barely spoken. When we did, the words were heavy, careful, like we were both too scared to say the wrong thing.
I sighed, my hands slowing-
Maybe tonight would be the same. Maybe he’d come home, go straight to his study, and pretend I didn’t exist.
A knock on our bedroom door made me jump.
I stared at the door, my fingers frozen around the yarn.
Damient
I swallowed, hesitating for a moment before forcing my voice to come out steady.
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16:39 Tue, 18 Feb MMO
Chapter 88
“Come in.”
The door opened, and there he was
¥23%血
Damien stood in the doorway, tall and composed, his usual guarded expression in place. But he wasn’t empty–handed. In his grip was a sleek shopping bag, and draped over his arm was a dress,
1 blinked at him, confused.
He stepped inside, his gaze flickering to the knitting in my hands before settling on my face. “You’re still awake.”
I nodded slowly. “Couldn’t sleep.”
He said nothing for a moment, then walked closer, placing the shopping bag on the dresser. “I got you something.”
I looked at the dress, then back at him. “Why?”
Damien let out a short breath, like he didn’t even know how to answer that. Then, finally, he said, “Get dressed. We’re going
out.”
I stared at him, stunned. “Out?”
“Dinner.
I blinked again. “Dinner?”
His lips twitched slightly, almost like he was amused by my confusion. “Yes, Rosalie. Dinner. You do remember what that is, don’t you?”
I frowned, gripping my knitting needles tighter. “I know what dinner is, Damien. I just don’t understand why.”
He looked at me for a long moment before sighing. “Because we need it. A distraction. Something… normal.”
Normal.
I exhaled, glancing at the dress again. It was beautiful. Simple but elegant.
“Rosalie.” His voice was softer now, patient in a way that made my chest ache.
I swallowed, my fingers brushing against the fabric. “Okay.”
The restaurant was quiet, intimate. Low lighting, soft music, a warm ambiance that felt so different from the chaos of our lives.
I sat across froin Damien, my fingers resting on the napkin in my lap, still feeling a little out of place.
He had ordered for both of us, something he used to do all the time.
For a while, we ate in silence. Not uncomfortable, but not entirely relaxed either.
Then, finally, I spoke.
“This doesn’t change anything, does it?”
Damien paused, his fork hovering over his plate. He looked at me, something unreadable in his gaze. “What?”
“The divorce,” Isaid quietly. “Is it still happening? It is, isn’t it? I mean your family, they are pushing you to the wall, aren’t
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16:39 Tue, 18 Feb 14 MG.
Chapter 85
231
His yow sensed “Roule-”
“I just need to know Daten By soice wavered slightly, but I pushed through. “Are you… are you just doing this to make
Tm not going
Hoe was firm cutting through my doube like a knife
I intalled sharply staring at him, “You’re not?”
I swallowed my hands tightening around my napkin. “Then why does it feel like you already have?”
Damen exhaled, seming his fork down. “Roulie, I know things have been hard. I know I’ve been distant. But that doesn’t
I but my lip looking down at my place. Then what do you want?”
There was a long pause. Then quietly, he wid. “You”
My bear cenched
I forced myself to look at him again. Then why does it feel like I’m the only one still fighting for this?”
Iran a hand through his hair, his frustration clear. “You’re not”
I shook my head. It doesn’t feel like it”
Je வd.
He sighed, leaning forward “Roialle. I know I’ve made mistakes. I know I’ve hurt you. But I’m trying”
Iswallowed Trying tow, Dammen?”
“This” He gestured around the restaurant. Tonight Us”
I let out a soft, shaky laugh Dinner isn’t going to fix us. Dinner isn’t going to make your family hate me less.”
I stared at barn, searching his face for any hesitation, any doubt. But all I saw was determination.
Something inside the wavered.
Mole murgle he really want giving up
maybe
I took a deep breath, letting myself relax, just a little “Okay”
Iris’s lips werbed “Olay”
What will text of this marriag
it—a read smile. Small, barely there, but real
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