CHAPTER 7
1123 Words
Mia
I think I knew my marriage was over the moment Damon asked for an open marriage. But somehow, the truth only hits me now—hard and heavy—as I lie in bed, still recovering from my concussion.
It has been three days. Three long days of trying to prove Anna wrong, to prove Damon still loved me. I told myself I wasn’t doing it for reassurance, but to see if she had been right all along.
Turns out, she was.
No matter how much food I cooked or how many times I called, he always said, “I’m busy with work,” or ignored me entirely.
It seems he’s done pretending he cares. As soon as Anna hurt herself, everything changed. I saw it. I felt it. Damon didn’t care that he hurt me—Anna was all that mattered. All he could think about was helping Anna.
And now here I am—alone in this enormous house—trying and failing to lift my own spirits.
At least, I thought I was alone.
I head downstairs to grab my phone charger from the living room, but I freeze in the foyer when I hear Anna’s voice. She’s talking loudly on the phone, her words echoing through the quiet house.
“Babe, I already told you—just a couple more weeks, I promise. Then it’s all over. She’ll be gone. Just a little more pushing and he’ll make her leave, and then I can do what we planned.”
My body goes rigid. A cold shiver crawls up my spine. I inch closer, desperate to hear the other person on the line.
“Of course I don’t love him,” she continues, her tone sickeningly sweet. “I love you. You know how much I miss you. It’ll all be over soon. We’ll have a better life than this. He’s the ticket out.”
Out of what?
What has she gotten herself into? And why is Damon the key?
My stomach twists as I listen.
“I know what I’m doing,” she says. “I read up on everything. That stuff I have will do what we need it to. By the time he realizes what I’ve done, it’ll be too late.”
Too late?
No. No, she wouldn’t. Not to Damon.
Without thinking, a protective instinct slams through me. I grab my keys, my coat, and my bag and bolt out the front door.
He needs to know.
I should have trusted my gut the moment she showed her face again. She never cared about him—not really. She left him, hurt him, and now she’s suddenly back? Damon probably thought she’d returned for him… but now I know she only wants what he can give her.
Maybe I’m jumping to conclusions, but what else am I supposed to think?
I keep replaying her words in my mind. It’ll be too late when he finds out.
Stop overthinking, Mia.
Just get to him.
By the time I reach his company building, the winter air slices through my shirt. Snowflakes cling to my hair as I run inside and head straight for the elevator, my shoes squeaking loudly against the polished floor.
It’s unusually quiet for nighttime. Even the cleaners are gone.
I mash the button for the tenth floor, my heart pounding. When the doors close, I lean against the mirrored wall and squeeze my eyes shut.
Please, just listen to me. Please.
But hope fades the moment I step out.
His assistant stands abruptly. “Mrs. Wright, I’m sorry, but Mr. Wright doesn’t want to see anyone right now.”
I try to step past her, but she blocks my way. “I’m his wife, Penny. Let me through.”
“I’m sorry,” she repeats. “He won’t allow anyone inside.”
She plants her hands on the wall, blocking me completely.
Desperate, I yank her wrists away and push past her. “I’m sorry,” I mutter as I rush to his office.
The door slams open, banging against the bookshelf. The room is pitch‑black. Even his laptop is off.
“What the f**k—”
A groggy voice cuts through the dark. A lamp clicks on, revealing Damon rubbing sleep from his eyes.
“Sir, I’m so sorry,” Penny pants from behind me. “She wouldn’t listen.”
He narrows his eyes at me, then waves her away. “It’s fine, Penny.”
She hesitates, gives me a wary look, then leaves.
Damon turns to me, exhaustion etched across his face. “What do you want?”
I sit without being invited. “It’s Anna.”
In an instant, he’s on his feet, his expression darkening. “What did you do now?”
Of course.
That’s his first thought—that I’m hurting his precious Anna.
“Nothing,” I say firmly. “Just sit down. She’s fine. It’s about what I heard her saying on the phone. You’re going to want to hear this, Damon. Please. Just listen.”
He slowly sits, his green eyes meeting mine. “Go on.”
“I think she’s trying to hurt you.”
Silence. Then he laughs—loudly. Right in my face.
I flinch, stunned.
“I’m not joking, Damon.”
“When are you going to stop with this s**t, Mia?” he snaps. “No matter what you say, I’m not getting rid of Anna. She’s here to stay. And honestly… if this continues, maybe you need to leave. I can’t have you trying to ruin my relationship with her.”
Is he serious?
“Right. Because that’s all you care about—her. But what about us? Damon, I’m being serious. I’m scared for your life. But she’s got her claws so deep in you that even I can’t open your eyes.”
He rolls his eyes. “Leave. I have work to finish.”
“I’m not leaving until you believe me.”
“Why would I believe you after everything you’ve done to her?”
My heart cracks. But I try one last time. I reach for his hand and whisper, “Please, Damon. Look at me. Read me. I’m not lying. I’m trying to protect you.”
He rips his hand away. “I don’t need protecting from Anna. If anything, I need it from you.”
The words slice through me. My eyes burn, but I refuse to cry.
Instead, I stand—cold, numb, empty.
“Fine,” I whisper. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Without another word, I walk out. I offer Penny a quiet apology before leaving the floor.
I tried.
That’s all I can do.
- Writer
