He Married Me but Loved Her

Chapter 5

"You want a reason? Fine, I'll give you one!" Damian's eyes blazed crimson as he glared at me, spitting out each word with razor-sharp clarity.

"Because Eva actually cares. When I'm furious, she bends over backward to calm me down. But you? Always telling me to think about the long game, to swallow my anger. The company always comes first, never me."

"I needed a wife, not a damn business consultant who starts my day with spreadsheets and profit forecasts!"

Damian drew a steadying breath, eyes shut. "Victoria, let's end this clean. I don't want us to become enemies."

I stood frozen. After all my sleepless nights, this was his grand revelation?

What a goddamn joke.

I'd clawed my way up in Wsetfield knowing emotions were liabilities. Survival demanded cunning, every step calculated. For him, I'd dodged every backstab and landmine, all to keep our lives stable.

And now? My caution became the very reason he hated me.

Fine. If he wants an emotional crutch, he can find someone else.

But how f*****g dare he bring up Liora?

I grabbed the nearest teacup and hurled it at his face. "Damian, you know exactly who got Liora killed!"

He didn't flinch. Blood dripped from his brow as he stared me down. "Satisfied? Then sign."

The divorce papers thrown onto my lap.

This time, I didn't tear them.

I leafed slowly through the pages. "I'll go. But my terms stand."

"Two billion? Try ten."

His face darkened. "Victoria, don't get greedy."

"Greedy?" A hollow laugh escaped me. "Ask your mistress: would she take two billion for ten years of her life? For a broken leg? For scars that'll never fade? For losing her child and any chance of another?" My nails dug into the armrest. "I'm not handing out free favors. If I built this empire, I'll be damned before letting some gold-digger reap the rewards. Or is that bastard she's carrying not worth the price?"

"Enough!" Damian's fists shook, knuckles white. "Don't you dare insult Eva like that." He forced a breath through clenched teeth. "Fine. Ten billion. But my conditions are non-negotiable."

"You'll stand at our wedding and tell the world you left because you're broken, a barren cripple unfit for the Black Family. That we divorced months ago."

"Eva entered my life after. She stays pure."

His eyes locked onto me, cold as a blade. "Cross me on this, and I'll..."

"Deal."

Damian stiffened. "What did you say?"

I smirked, my tone laced with biting sarcasm. "I said, rest assured, Mr Black. Once the funds are transferred, I'll personally stand before everyone and wish you two eternal happiness."

His eyes darkened, rage boiling over. "Mr Black?" He barked a hollow laugh, sharp and devoid of warmth. "Fine. Just perfect, Victoria. You'd better mean every word."

With that, he whirled around and left, the door slamming shut behind him.

I didn't give him another glance. Instead, I had someone remove every last jasmine plant.

My love for Liora was irreplaceable.

That evening, footage of Damian proposing to Eva dominated every news outlet in Westfield.

In the clip, the usually cold and calculating Damian knelt on one knee, clutching a massive bouquet, his voice uncharacteristically tender like a lovesick teenager. "Eva, marry me. I swear I'll love you with my life."

The crowd erupted, cheers ringing out as they embraced, kissing like they wanted the whole world to witness their joy.

Tears blurred my sight.

For a fleeting second, I glimpsed the boy he once was the one who'd loved me with that same fierce devotion.

When the video kept replaying, Martha, pity in her eyes, moved to shut it off.

"I've got it," I murmured.

Then my phone pinged, one short message.

Ethan: All set.