Chapter 7: A dangerous choice
1002 Words
The phone slipped from Serena's trembling fingers.
It hit the polished hardwood floor with a sharp crack.
Silence.
Inside the office, Damien stopped speaking.
For a heartbeat, Serena couldn't breathe.
Then...
The doorknob turned.
Slowly.
The office door opened.
Damien stepped into the hallway, his phone still in his hand. His eyes immediately landed on Serena, then on the broken phone lying at her feet.
His expression changed.
Not to anger.
To concern.
"Serena?"
She forced herself to blink.
"My... my phone slipped."
Damien walked toward her without saying a word. He bent down, picked up the shattered phone, and examined the cracked screen.
"I'll get you a new one."
His voice was calm.
Gentle.
Almost too gentle.
"You don't have to."
"I want to."
He handed the broken phone back to her before searching her face.
"You've been acting strange these past few days."
Serena's heartbeat quickened.
Had he figured out she was following him?
That she had seen the hotel video?
That she had met Ethan Blackwood?
She lowered her gaze.
"I'm just stressed."
Damien gently lifted her chin.
"You know you can tell me anything, right?"
The irony nearly broke her.
The man standing before her was either the world's greatest liar...
Or she was losing her mind.
"I'm fine," she whispered.
He smiled.
"I hope so."
Then, unexpectedly, he pulled her into his arms.
For years, Serena had found comfort in that embrace.
Tonight...
It felt like she was being hugged by a stranger.
When Damien finally let go, he kissed her forehead.
"Get some rest."
"You look exhausted."
He walked away toward their bedroom.
Serena remained standing in the hallway, unable to move.
She replayed the conversation she'd overheard.
"...If necessary... eliminate her."
Was he talking about her?
Or someone else?
She didn't know anymore.
And that uncertainty terrified her more than anything.
---
The following morning, Serena arrived at work early, hoping to lose herself in numbers.
Instead, she found herself staring blankly at her computer.
She couldn't focus.
Every spreadsheet reminded her of Damien.
Every email reminded her of the lies.
Finally, she opened her handbag.
Ethan Blackwood's business card was still there.
She had told herself she wouldn't call.
That she wouldn't trust a billionaire she barely knew.
But Ethan had known things he shouldn't have known.
Things no stranger could possibly know.
With trembling fingers, she dialed the number.
The phone rang once.
Then a deep, composed voice answered.
"I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever call."
Serena swallowed.
"You knew I would?"
"I knew curiosity would eventually outweigh fear."
There was no arrogance in his voice.
Only certainty.
"I need answers."
"So do I."
"What does that mean?"
"It means," Ethan replied quietly, "you're caught in something much bigger than an unhappy marriage."
Serena tightened her grip on the phone.
"I don't understand."
"You don't have to... not yet."
His answer frustrated her.
"You told me my husband wanted me dead."
"I said I believed you were in danger."
"That's not the same thing."
"No."
"It isn't."
The line fell silent.
When Ethan spoke again, his voice carried an edge she'd never heard before.
"Tell me something honestly."
"What?"
"Has Damien asked you to sign anything recently?"
Serena frowned.
"No."
"Insurance papers?"
"No."
"A change to your bank accounts?"
Again, she answered no.
Ethan was quiet for several seconds.
"Good."
"What are you not telling me?"
"I'll tell you when I have proof."
"I don't want promises, Mr. Blackwood. I want the truth."
"So do I."
Before Serena could ask another question, Ethan spoke again.
"Whatever happens today... don't let Damien know we've met."
The call ended.
Serena stared at the phone.
Why would Ethan say that?
Before she could think further, her office phone rang.
"Mrs. Hart?"
It was her assistant.
"Your husband is here."
Again?
Serena's pulse quickened.
"He says he'd like to take you to lunch."
She looked at Ethan's business card lying on her desk.
Don't let Damien know we've met.
Taking a deep breath, Serena stood.
"I'll be right out."
---
Lunch was at one of the city's finest restaurants.
Damien smiled throughout the meal.
He talked about business.
About Lily.
About taking a family vacation.
It was as though nothing had changed.
As though he hadn't been meeting another woman in secret.
As though Serena hadn't watched him kiss someone else.
"You've hardly touched your food," Damien observed.
"I'm not very hungry."
He reached across the table and took her hand.
"You know I love you, don't you?"
The question caught her off guard.
She looked into his eyes.
Once upon a time, she would have answered without hesitation.
Now...
She didn't know what to believe.
"I..."
Before she could respond, a familiar figure entered the restaurant.
Tall.
Impeccably dressed in a charcoal suit.
Calm.
Commanding.
Ethan Blackwood.
He wasn't alone.
Several executives followed behind him as the restaurant manager personally escorted him toward a private dining room.
For a brief second...
Ethan's eyes met Serena's.
His expression didn't change.
He looked away immediately, as though they had never met.
Serena did the same.
Across the table, Damien casually glanced toward the entrance.
The moment he saw Ethan...
His smile disappeared.
It happened for less than a second.
But Serena saw it.
Fear.
Real fear.
Damien quickly recovered and continued eating.
Yet his hand had tightened so hard around his wine glass that his knuckles turned white.
Serena's heart skipped.
Damien wasn't afraid of many people.
But he was afraid of Ethan Blackwood.
And for the first time...
She realized Ethan might not have been lying after all.
As lunch came to an end, Damien excused himself to take a phone call.
The instant he disappeared from the table, Serena's phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
She opened the message.
«If Damien discovers you're working with Ethan Blackwood, neither you nor your daughter will survive.»
Serena's blood ran cold.
She slowly looked around the restaurant.
Someone...
Was watching her.
And they knew exactly where she was.
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