Her Divorce, His Downfall (Sophia and Damian) novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

In the end, Damian ignored his family and his injuries, hurrying outside with Sophia in his arms.

The Halls scrambled after him. The house erupted into chaos.

The next evening, Sophia finally woke up.

The first thing she saw was Damian’s bloodshot eyes.

His eyes held the same deep affection they had three years ago when he’d asked her to marry him.

Who was he putting on this act for?

She hadn’t forgotten the dramatic display of affection between him and Isabelle at the Hall residence.

They had utterly humiliated her, dragging her dignity as Mrs. Hall through the mud.

He was just like Connor, in love with her sister.

He was only watching over her now because he was afraid Isabelle would face legal charges if she died.

She pulled the blanket over herself, turned her back to him, and said nothing.

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“Sophia, does it still hurt? Are you thirsty? I’ll get you a glass of

water.”

Damian’s familiar, hoarse voice reached her ears.

Sophia bit her lip hard.

He and Isabelle were the ones who had hurt her, and now he was here, feigning concern. What a hypocrite.

“Don’t bother. Just get out. I don’t want to see you,” Sophia said, her eyes closed and her voice cold.

T

Damian’s hand, reaching for a glass, froze in midair. He slowly pulled it back and clenched it into a fist.

A suffocating silence filled the room.

He opened his mouth, wanting to tell her that in the moment he saw her collapse, covered in blood, he thought he was going to go insane.

But the words that actually came out were cold and detached.

“The doctor said you have a mild concussion. You need to rest.”

Huddled under the blankets, Sophia’s body trembled slightly.

It’s all an act.

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She didn’t turn back, but a cold laugh escaped her throat.

Her laugh was like a needle, instantly shattering his composure.

He shot to his feet, yanking at his collar in frustration. The whip marks on his back burned as hot as her wounds.

“Sophia,” he began, trying to keep his voice even, but an exasperated edge crept in.

“You’ve hit me and you’ve cursed me. What more do you want?”

“Divorce! You two can be together.” Sophia sat up abruptly, glaring at him with bloodshot eyes.

Damian’s gaze fell on the white gauze wrapped around her forehead. The faint red stain seeping through it felt like a stab to

his heart.

No matter how he looked at it, she had been hurt because of

Isabelle.

His tone softened. He stepped forward and pulled her into his

arms.

“Come on. Stop making a fuss. When you’re out of here, I’ll give you whatever you want.”

Sophia laughed bitterly inside.

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Pathetic.

Whatever I want. But what I want, you can’t give my bes

“Don’t touch me.”

She tried to shove him off, but the movement tore at her palm. She hissed in pain.

Damian pulled her tight against his chest, voice soft and coaxing.

“Sophia, stop. You’re only hurting yourself.”

“Let go. It’s none of your business.” She shoved back.

When struggling didn’t work, she sank her teeth into his neck.

A sharp pain shot through his neck. Damian grunted but only tightened his hold, embracing her so fiercely it was as if he wanted to crush her into his very being.

She didn’t let go until she tasted blood.

When she pulled back, crimson beaded along the deep bite mark on his throat.

“Done?” Damian looked down at her, voice rough. “If not, pick another spot. Bite wherever you want.”

“You’re–impossible!”

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She trembled with rage, her injured palm throbbing from the struggle.

“I don’t need you.” The words came out barely a whisper as she sagged against him.

your

His grip faltered. “I’m your husband. If not me, then who?”

The question drove straight through her chest, ripping open her rawest wound.

Once, she’d thought marrying Damian was a blessing from her late mother.

They’d grown up together—bickering, tangled up in each other for over a decade–and finally made it official.

He cared for her. The Halls loved her. She’d felt happy.

Then he destroyed her.

His one true love showed up–and Sophia’s world went straight to hell.

Sophia swallowed the bitterness clawing up her throat.

“Not for long,” she said hoarsely,

“If you insist on divorcing me, my family won’t allow it–and neither will your father.” Damian’s voice was tight with barely 5/7

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controlled anger.

“So what if he doesn’t? He can’t control me.” She shot back.

Then she laughed bitterly. “You only married me to keep tabs on me. To make sure I stayed away from Connor. You were scared I still had feelings for him.”

“But what’s the point of loving Isabelle so much? She’s Connor’s fiancée. You love her, but you can’t have her–so you married me instead. The perfect cover to play doting brother–in–law and stay

close to her.”

“Who would’ve thought? The great CEO of Veridian Group, lovesick and screwing around with his wife’s sister. If this got out, both families would be ruined.”

The blood drained from Damian’s face.

“Is that all you think about? Sex and romance?” he shot back. “It’s not like that with Isabelle. Stop twisting everything into something dirty.”

Twisting it?

Did she need to catch them in bed for him to admit the truth?

How could anyone make cheating sound so righteous?

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Sophia’s chest burned with rage. She arched an eyebrow, her fury so sharp it turned ice–cold.