Chapter 9 - Chapter Nine: The Other Woman

I didn't expect her.Not there. Not then. Not wearing a silk dress and a smile like she already knew how the night would end.Her name left his lips like a curse. "Miranda."And just like that, the ground shifted beneath me. We were at the Cain Foundation's annual gala. I wore black satin. Damian wore black sin.The night had started like a fantasy. Soft whispers, stolen touches, promises he mouthed against my bare shoulder while pretending to be interested in donor speeches. He held my waist like I was already undressed beneath his fingers.He said, "After this, I want you upstairs. Just heels and perfume."And I smiled like I wasn't already drowning.But then she walked in.Miranda Blake.The ex.The scandal.The one woman he never talked about except in hushed fragments.He said she was a mistake.She looked like unfinished business "Leigh," she said, offering her hand like we were old friends. "You're the new one."The new one.Not the one. Not his girlfriend Just… the next in line.I didn't take her hand."Is that what he called me?" I asked.Her smile didn't falter. "He doesn't have to. Men like Damian don't change. They just learn how to lie prettier."Damian appeared beside me. His hand slid around my waist like a shield."She's not you," he said."Clearly," Miranda said, and turned away.She was gone, but her perfume lingered expensive, sharp, familiar.And so did her shadow. The rest of the night passed in a blur of champagne and suspicion.I laughed at the wrong jokes. Smiled too wide. Let his fingers skim the small of my back and pretended it didn't feel like betrayal.When we left, he tried to kiss me in the elevator.I turned my face."Not now."He didn't argue. That scared me more than if he had. I didn't go home with him. I went to my own apartment, stripped out of the black satin, and climbed into bed with my doubt.And around 2 a.m., I did what I swore I wouldn't.I texted him. "Is she back in your life?"No reply.Not until the next morning. "Only as a threat."What the hell did that mean? The photo arrived the next day.A manila envelope left on my desk. No name. No note.Inside: a picture.Miranda. Damian. Hugging.Timestamp: the night of the gala.My stomach dropped.My pride exploded.I drove straight to his penthouse.Didn't call.Didn't warn.Just stormed through the door and threw the photo at him.He caught it mid-air.His face didn't change."She's trying to mess with you.""Did you hug her?""She came up to me. I didn't expect it.""She looked like she did."He sighed. "Do you believe everything she hands you?""I believe what I see."He closed the space between us in one stride. "Then look at me now."I did.And hated that I still wanted him. We didn't talk.We didn't scream.We exploded.He shoved me against the wall. I kissed him like I wanted to devour the lie out of him.Clothes hit the floor.I was under him, on top of him, everywhere at once.And when I moaned his name, he bit my shoulder and whispered, "You're the only one who makes me lose control." Later, in the dark, I sat on the edge of his bed.Wrapped in one of his shirts. Pretending I didn't feel hollow."Why won't you tell me everything?""I don't want you to get dragged into my dirt.""I already am.""She's threatening to leak sensitive board information.""So let her.""If she does, it'll take down half the company. My name. My legacy.""And me?"He was quiet.And silence is always louder in love. The next day, I ran into Miranda.Cain Tower's lobby. She was waiting for me."Do you know who he is at his worst?" she asked."No," I said. "But I'm learning."She handed me a folder.Inside: documents, contracts, photos.I read one line and felt the blood drain from my face."You think he's honest? He's building a secondary shell company under your name," she said. "You're not his lover. You're his liability shield."I laughed.Because if I didn't, I'd break.And when I got to his office, I threw the folder on his desk."Explain."He looked… tired.Not guilty.Just done."I did it to protect you," he said."By making me your puppet?""No. By making you untouchable.""Without telling me?""I was going to.""But she beat you to it."His voice dropped. "She's playing chess with fire. And she knows you're my queen."I left.Not because I didn't love him.But because loving him might destroy me. At 2 a.m., there was a knock at my door.I opened it without looking.And there he was.Rain-soaked.Breathless.Uninvited.He didn't speak.He walked in.Stripped.Knelt.And said, "I don't care what it costs me. But I can't lose you."I kissed him like an answer.We didn't make love.We made war.And I lost.Gladly.