I LOVE HER
894 Words
Damian exhaled. His shoulders sagged like the weight finally broke him.
“Ellie left. She sent the divorce papers this morning.”
“What did you just say?” Henry shot to his feet. The couch creaked under him. His eyes went wide. “How? Did you two fight?”
“No.” Damian dragged a hand through his hair. His jaw locked tight.
“When I got home, she was already gone. Everything was untouched. It was like she’d never been there at all.”
Henry crossed his arms. He studied Damian’s face.
“That’s why you’re pissed. I thought you’d be happy. Isn’t this what you wanted? You can finally be with Vanessa.”
Damian shook his head. Voice low, rough.
“You don’t get it… I think I’m in love with her. Henry… I love her.”
Henry blinked. Then he laughed. Hard.
“Hahaha, really? You love her? What about Vanessa?”
He leaned forward. Eyes sharp as broken glass.
“Be real. You let Mark and Cole call her a gold digger right in front of her. The second Vanessa came back, you ran. And you told Ellie the night you spent together was a mistake.” His voice dropped. “What did you expect her to do?”
Henry sighed. He shook his head slow.
“Ellie got tired of waiting. But trust me—you’ll never find better. You had gold, Damian. You just never looked down.”
---
*Flashback – Two Months Ago*
“Damian! Happy birthday!”
Glasses clinked. Laughter filled the penthouse.
Damian forced a smile. But his eyes kept drifting across the room.
There. Ellie. Laughing with one of the guests, head tilted back. Her dress clung to her curves. Her eyes were bright. Her smile was soft.
Possession twisted in his gut. He hated how much he wanted to watch her.
But he told himself it was just denial.
Later, the house went quiet. The guests were gone. He pushed open their bedroom door.
Ellie sat on the bed, legs tucked under her. A novel open in her hands, like always.
She looked up. Closed the book fast. “Damian! Sorry, no gift yet. I’ll get you one tomorrow,” she said, voice warm.
Damian crossed the room in three strides. He plucked the book from her hands and let it drop to the floor.
“You already have the gift.” His voice went low, rough. “I want you, Ellie.”
His mouth brushed her ear. Hot breath. She shivered and stepped back.
“You’re drunk, Damian. Go wash up. I’ll get your pajamas.”
“I’m not drunk.” His hand shot out. Caught her wrist. Pulled her flush against his chest.
Her breath hitched. Her palms landed on his chest, pushing, but weak.
He lowered his head. His mouth found hers. Hard at first, demanding. Then softer, like he was asking for something.
Ellie made a small sound in her throat. Her hands fisted in his shirt.
_They were married._ The thought broke through her resistance.
Damian’s hands slid to her waist. He backed her toward the bed until her knees hit the mattress.
He kissed down her jaw, to her neck. His teeth grazed her skin and she gasped.
Fabric whispered to the floor. Hesitant touches turned desperate.
The room went quiet except for their breathing, fast and uneven.
Ellie arched under him. Pain flashed sharp, then melted into a heat she’d never known.
His name left her lips like a prayer.
Damian moved slow at first, then deeper, like he was trying to brand her into his skin.
When it ended, he rolled off her. His chest heaved.
Ellie lay still, staring at the ceiling. Her heart pounded.
_She’d given him everything she had._
---
*Morning*
Ellie woke up alone.
The sheets were twisted. A dull ache between her legs confirmed it wasn’t a dream.
_It happened. She’d slept with her husband._
The bathroom door clicked open. Steam followed.
Damian walked out, towel slung low on his hips. Water dripped down his bare chest. Her marks were there, faint and red.
“Satisfied with what you see?” Damian smirked, catching her stare.
“N-No, I wasn’t…” She yanked the blanket up to her chin.
His smile died. His eyes went cold.
“Ellie. What happened last night… it was a mistake. I was drunk.”
Ellie froze.
Then she smiled. Small. Shattered.
“It’s okay.” She cut him off before he could say anything worse.
_One word. Mistake. It cut deeper than any insult ever could._
She clutched the blanket to her chest and slipped into the bathroom.
The moment the door shut, her tears fell.
---
*End of Flashback*
Damian’s throat worked. He looked at Henry.
“I know I was a jerk,” he said quietly. “But I want her back. I was foolish to hurt her. I love her. I loved her. I just didn’t want to admit it. I thought the feeling would fade.” He swallowed hard. “I was wrong.”
Henry exhaled slow. He watched his friend. For the first time, Damian looked like a man who finally understood what losing meant.
“What about Vanessa?” Henry asked finally. “Do you still love her?”
Damian opened his mouth.
No sound came out.
- Writer
