Chapter Six - The Mistake
683 Words
One year after Amara started working for Vale Holdings
For the first time in her life, Amara had everything she thought she wanted.
A beautiful home.
A successful career.
A man who loved her.
And a future that seemed almost certain.
That certainty made what happened next even harder to understand.
It began innocently.
Or at least, that's what Amara told herself afterward.
---
It was a Thursday evening when Damian told her he would be working late.
"I have a board dinner," he said, adjusting his cufflinks.
"Again?"
He smiled apologetically.
"I'm afraid so."
Amara walked toward him and straightened his collar.
"Don't be too late."
"I won't."
He kissed her.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
She watched him leave.
Then she stood alone in their enormous apartment.
She had no idea that this ordinary goodbye would become one of the memories she would replay for years.
---
The following evening, Amara went out with Sophie.
It had been months since they had spent an evening together.
"You've disappeared," Sophie complained.
"I've been busy."
"With Damian."
Amara laughed.
"Mostly."
Sophie shook her head.
"You know, sometimes I miss the old Amara."
Amara frowned.
"I'm still me."
"Are you?"
The question stayed with her.
Later that night, they met a group of friends at a lounge.
That's where she met Ethan.
He was charming.
Funny.
And, unlike Damian, he didn't seem intimidated by Amara's new life.
He didn't care about her expensive clothes or the man she was dating.
He simply talked to her.
For the first time in a long time, Amara felt like the girl she had been before Damian.
Carefree.
Young.
Uncomplicated.
One drink became two.
Two became three.
And somewhere between laughter and music, Amara stopped thinking about consequences.
Ethan kissed her.
She should have walked away.
She didn't.
The moment lasted only seconds.
But it was enough.
Amara pulled away suddenly.
Her face went pale.
"What am I doing?"
Ethan looked confused.
"Amara—"
"No."
She grabbed her bag.
"I have to go."
She hurried outside into the cold night air.
Her hands were shaking.
She called Damian.
Straight to voicemail.
She tried again.
Nothing.
She stood beneath the streetlights, tears gathering in her eyes.
She had no excuse.
No explanation.
No one to blame.
She had made a choice.
And now she had to live with it.
---
When Damian finally came home the following morning, Amara was sitting on the edge of their bed.
She hadn't slept.
He stopped when he saw her.
"What's wrong?"
She looked at him.
Her heart felt like it was breaking.
"I need to tell you something."
Damian's expression changed.
"What happened?"
Amara opened her mouth.
But the words wouldn't come.
She looked down at her hands.
"I cheated on you."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Damian didn't shout.
He didn't move.
He simply stared at her.
And somehow, that was worse.
"With who?"
"Ethan."
"Who is Ethan?"
"Someone I met last night."
Damian's jaw tightened.
"Did you sleep with him?"
"No."
The answer came quickly.
"Then what happened?"
Amara started crying.
"He kissed me."
Damian stared at her.
"And you let him?"
She nodded.
"I was wrong."
He turned away.
For several minutes, he said nothing.
Then he walked toward the window.
Amara followed him.
"Damian, I'm sorry."
He remained silent.
"I love you."
His eyes closed.
"Please say something."
He finally turned around.
His eyes were filled with hurt.
"You were the one person I trusted."
Amara broke down.
"I know."
"I gave you everything."
"I know."
"And this is what you did with it?"
She couldn't defend herself.
Because he was right to be hurt.
"I don't expect you to forgive me."
Damian looked at her for a long time.
"Good."
He walked past her.
But at the bedroom door, he stopped.
He didn't look back.
"I don't know if I can forgive you."
Then he left the room.
Amara sank onto the floor.
For the first time since meeting Damian Vale, she was terrified of losing him.
And she had no one to blame but herself.
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