Chapter 2

On the second day, Damien came to sit with Lily for an hour, only to be called away by a phone call from Brittany. I went back to Blackwood Manor and took the half-finished sweater I was knitting for Damien, savagely cut it to shreds, and threw it in the trash. On the third day, Damien came to visit Lily, bringing Brittany with him. I watched on surveillance as they passionately kissed and got intimate right beside Lily's hospital bed. I returned to Blackwood Manor and photographed all of Damien's business secrets, saving them to a private folder on my phone. On the fifth day, Lily was discharged. Damien brought Brittany back to Blackwood Manor. "Elara, Brittany is injured, so fragile and helpless right now; she can't take care of herself without me. "

I looked at him, my heart aching. "Damien, have you forgotten our agreement? "

No matter how many women he fooled around with, he wasn't allowed to bring them home. That was my absolute boundary. Damien had always respected that boundary. But this time, he shook his head, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "Elara, Brittany truly needs care. Just be understanding. She won't bother you. " He paused, then added, "I promise, no matter what Brittany and I do, it won't affect your status. "

…

"And if I don't agree? " I challenged. "I can't live under the same roof as your mistress. "

Damien's patience snapped. "If you don't want to live here, no one's forcing you. You know perfectly well why we got married in the first place, so stop acting like I owe you anything! "

He shoved me, then slammed the front door shut. Through the crack in the door, I caught Brittany's triumphant smirk aimed directly at me. That night, a furious storm raged outside. I stood alone in the courtyard, drenched, with nowhere to shelter. I saw the lights on the second floor, the curtains in the master bedroom wide open, revealing the heated scene within. On the massive bed, Damien and Brittany were getting intimate, naked and pressed together. Once, twice, three times... As I watched their bodies intertwine and Damien's gentle, tender movements with her, a relentless, agonizing ache ripped through my heart. Damien and I were intimate maybe once a month, and each time he was impatient and rough, as if merely going through the motions. Pinned beneath him, his hand gripping my throat, I’d struggle to gasp out, "Damien, if you don't want this, no one's forcing you... "

I never understood why Damien hated me yet still wanted to sleep with me. He never answered, just continued his relentless thrusts, round after round... Over time, I gave up, even trying to convince myself that this was just how Damien was. But watching him with Brittany, I finally understood: there are no cold and distant men in the world. There are only men whose warmth isn't meant for you. Drenched by the rain, I developed a fever that lasted three days. The moment I recovered, Damien dragged me to the Serenity Summit Resort in B-City for a banquet. At the entrance, I saw Brittany, wearing the haute couture gown I had asked Damien for multiple times, to no avail. Our eyes met, a clash of sparks in the air. "Mr. Blackwood, Mrs. Blackwood, the Serenity Summit Resort upholds traditional etiquette. Gentlemen are only permitted to bring their lawful wives inside. If you wish to bring an escort, she must perform a traditional bow of deference before entering. "

Brittany pouted, throwing herself into Damien's arms. "Damien! I refuse to bow to anyone! And I don't want to be your mistress, hmph! "

I couldn't help myself. "You already are one, so why pretend otherwise? "

Brittany's eyes instantly welled up with tears. "Damien... "

Damien hesitated for only a second before turning to the server. "Brittany Wells is my wife. "

I froze, stunned, staring at Damien in disbelief. "Damien... "

"Just listen," Damien murmured. "Brittany is young and sensitive. How can she be expected to kneel before others? "

Did that mean *I* could be expected to do it? Seeing my face turn ashen, Damien, unusually patient, tried to coax me. "You've always wanted that Peninsula Estate, haven't you? I promise, I'll buy it for you the moment we get back, as long as you agree to enter as an escort. "

At this, the crowd began to murmur. "I thought Mr. Blackwood's wife was the heiress from *that* prominent family? When did he get a new one? "

"Exactly. The Blackwood Group faced a crisis back then, and he only got through it by marrying into that wealthy family. Now he's completely turned his back on her, even bringing his mistress here. "

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. I'd say that mistress looks more like the real Mrs. Blackwood. That poor heiress must be devastated. "

My face went ashen. I had never felt such profound humiliation. I took a deep breath, then pulled out my marriage certificate with Damien. …

Brittany was forced to her knees, serving Damien and me throughout the meal. Her small face was a picture of misery, tears clinging to her eyelashes, heartbreaking to behold. I remained expressionless, but Damien's heart visibly ached for her. Suppressing his rage, he snarled, "Elara Vance, are you satisfied? Is this the humiliation you wanted to inflict on Brittany? "

I bit my lip. "We willingly signed the marriage certificate years ago. I didn't force you. I'll use it whenever I see fit. "

Halfway through the meal, Damien suddenly kicked the table over, scooped Brittany into his arms, and stormed out. The gazes of pity and sympathy from the other guests threatened to drown me. My face went pale, and I lost all appetite. I quickly excused myself. Stepping out of the hotel, the world around me abruptly went black.