Chapter 2 Betrayal Shadows

The ride was dead silent.

The only thing louder than the tires on the road was my heartbeat pounding out of my chest. I sat stiff, pressing my back to the seat, my fingers twisting the hem of my dress. I didn't even know this man, yet somehow... I trusted him more than the husband who destroyed me in front of the whole damn world.

The car stopped.

I blinked up at the mansion in front of me. Mansion? Mansion wasn't even the right word. It was a damn castle. White stone walls, black iron gates, windows taller than me - it looked like something out of a billionaire fantasy.

What have I done?

What if he's planning to hurt me?

Kidnap me?

Use me?

Was I going to be raped? Murder me?

Panic choked me. I sat frozen. He stepped out, came to my door, and opened it gently like I was made of glass. Nobody had ever done that for me. Not even Damien on our wedding day.

"Trust me," he said, voice deep, calm, steady. "I'm not going to hurt you."

For a moment, I just stared at him. Those stormy gray eyes, caramel skin, buzzed hair... he looked like he could wreck a woman without even trying.

Maybe he already had.

Something about the way he said it made my bones soften. Frozen. Still shaking, I stepped out.

The house was even crazier inside. Golden chandeliers, marble floors that looked hand-carved, velvet curtains thicker than blankets. It smelled expensive. Like old money and fresh roses.

I was obsessed with interiors, always dreamed of designing spaces like this. But right now, it just made me feel small.

He led me upstairs.

Opened a bedroom door.

"You can change here," he said.

I nodded numbly and stepped inside.

When I opened the closet, my mouth dropped.

It wasn't just a closet - it was a whole boutique.

Elegant gowns, luxury brands, silky lingerie... even diamond jewelry tucked neatly in velvet boxes. Everything a woman could dream of.

Why the hell did he have this?

I brushed my hand over a navy gown. It looked too familiar.

My stomach twisted.

I pulled out my phone, shaky fingers searching for Camila's Instagram page and boom.

The exact same gown. Same designer. Same damn pose.

I swallowed hard.

Lots of women wore luxury brands. It didn't mean anything... right?

I pushed the thought away, my head was already messed up for any more drama. I changed into a black satin dress, one that clung to my body and made me feel human again. Strong. Dangerous. Untouchable.

I needed to be dangerous now.

When I came downstairs, he was waiting at the bottom, one hand shoved in his pocket, looking up at me like I hung the moon.

His pupils dilated.

He smiled.

Not the polite smile a stranger gives.

It was a smile like he'd been waiting a lifetime for me. Like he just won a lottery,

My stomach fluttered. No. No fluttering.

These weren't butterflies. These were dragonflies.

Big, stupid, dangerous dragonflies.

"Who are you?" I demanded as soon as I reached him. "Why did you save me? How do you know me? Are you married? Is your wife gonna beat me up for being here?"

He chuckled, deep and smooth.

"Slow down, princess. I'll answer everything."

I folded my arms.

"My name's Kent Cross," he said.

Cross.

My brain froze.

Cross?

"As in... Damien Cross?"

He nodded.

"My stepbrother."

I stumbled back a step.

He kept talking, calm like he didn't just drop a bomb on me.

"We haven't spoken in three years. Family drama. His mess, mostly. I saw the news. I saw what they did to you. I knew it wasn't true. You're not a homewrecker. You never were."

I blinked at him, struggling to breathe.

"Why... why do you even care?"

He looked straight into me, no flinching.

"Because I've been watching you since you married him. Because I know what kind of man Damien is. And because you didn't deserve any of this."

My throat burned.

I wanted to cry again but I held it in.

"And no," he added, "I'm not married." You don't have to be scared.

"But"I shook my head, trying to clear it.

"What about the women's clothes upstairs?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

He coughed. Scratched the back of his neck. His face went awkward.

"Oh... that. They're for...cami... um... models.

Yes, models.

I stared at him.

Liar.

But I was too tired to care.

"Fine," I muttered.

"I want to go," I said after a moment. "I need my car. It's still at Aura Modeling."

He nodded, grabbed his keys, and we were on the road again.

He drove me back like a gentleman, no creepy vibes, no questions asked.

Before I stepped out, he pulled out his phone.

"Give me your number," he said, voice low. "In case you need help."

Against better judgment, I gave it to him.

I watched him drive away before getting into my own car.

My hands were still shaking.

I didn't even know what I was doing.

I just knew... I couldn't stay with Kent.

And deep down...

I still wanted Damien to choose me.

I hated myself for it.

I drove straight home. Straight to the house I once called my safe place.

When I stepped inside, I froze.

Camila was there.

Lounging on the living room couch like she owned it. Smirking like she belonged.

Her pregnant belly on display.

I didn't say a word.

I just walked upstairs.

Started packing.

Damien burst into the room before I could zip the suitcase.

I'm sorry, Sasha," he said softly. "I don't want to lose you. Please, don't leave me."

I stared at him, the man I had once loved with every ounce of my being. How could I still love him after everything he had done? He'd always taken Camila's side, always made excuses for her, always put her above me. No wonder, you were at the bar with her weeks ago drinking. You told me it was a business meeting.

"Do you really take me for a fool Damien"? I said sharply.

"You don't get it, do you?" I whispered, my voice trembling with anger. "You said you loved me, but you'd choose her every time.

Let's get divorced. This instant ," I said, my voice trembling.

"No," he said firmly. "We can't get divorced. I won't divorce you.

We can't just throw away two years like it was some kind of joke," he added, his voice heavy with sadness.

You said you wouldn't divorce me, but you never even cared enough to fight for me."

"You let the media humiliate me. You let her call me a time filler. You let me stand there like a fool. And you still want me to stay?"

He reached for me. I flinched.

"I didn't," he said. "I mean, I don't know how it happened. Camilla said she's pregnant. I don't even remember. I didn't mean to.

I laughed. Bitter and broken.

"Then why is she living here, Damien? Why is she wearing your ring? Why is your baby in her stomach?"

He had no answers.

Only excuses.

Only empty words.

My phone buzzed.

Kent: Don't believe a word he says. Come over if you need safety. He's a manipulator. Don't let him fool you again.

I stared at the screen, heart tearing in half.

"How does he know? I pushed the thoughts away"

I swallowed hard. I was torn. I loved Damien, I really did. But was love enough? Could I let him destroy me just because I was too afraid to walk away?

Damien knelt in front of me, grabbing my hands. "Give me time. Please. I'll fix this. I swear."

I hesitated.

I grabbed my suitcase and was about to leave .

But before I could leave, Damien grabbed my arm. "Sasha, please. Don't go. I need you."

I almost fell for it . I wanted to stay so bad

God, I was so stupid.

And like the fool I was...

I almost did, but nah, not this time

I jerked away from him, my heart breaking. "You've already let me go, Damien. You just didn't care enough to fight for me."

And with that, I left.

He gave a deadly smirk, like he knew I was walking straight into his trap.

I didn't know where I was going. I didn't know what I was doing. But I knew I had to get out.

As the door slammed behind me, I felt a small spark of hope that maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of something new.