The Wife He Never Meant to Love (Lila and Damon) novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Two years.

It had been two years since Lila Evereth signed the marriage contract that bound her to Damon Blackthorne. Two years since she had agreed to be his “dutiful wife,” attending galas, social events, dinners, and playing the perfect role in his life without asking for anything in return.

At first, the contract had felt suffocating-every clause carefully designed to keep her at arm’s length from Damon’s world, especially from his heart. She had never expected to fall in love with him. She couldn’t. It wasn’t allowed, not according to the terms they both had agreed to.

But as the months passed, she had grown accustomed to the rhythm of their marriage. Damon was always distant, consumed by his empire, and when he did acknowledge her presence, it was cold, almost clinical. He didn’t look at her with the intensity she had feared-at least, not in a way that would challenge the boundaries of their agreement. He had his women. She knew this. He never hid it, never pretended.

The messages had started after the first few months, and now, two years into the marriage, they had become a constant. The provocative selfies. The suggestive texts. They came from every woman he slept with-each one pushing their limits, testing boundaries, all of them aware of Lila’s role as his wife. But Lila? She didn’t react. She had learned not to.

Her phone buzzed again. She glanced at the screen, already knowing the name without even looking-Ava.

“Damon’s just as good as you said he was. Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

Lila’s lips barely twitched as she read the message. She had learned long ago that showing any sign of jealousy or distress would be a waste of her breath. This was her life now, her reality. Damon needed these outlets, and Lila had accepted that. It was part of their arrangement.

She flicked her thumb across the screen, typing her usual response.

“thumbs up emoji”

It was always the same. A simple thumbs-up. Acknowledging the message, but offering no emotion, no response that could stir any more than necessary.

There were nights when it felt like a game. The phone buzzing with another message, another woman vying for Damon’s attention. Lila had grown so used to it that it barely fazed her anymore.

Then there was a message from Caitlyn. Another one of Damon’s many flings.

“I hope you’re okay with this, but Damon just told me he wants me to go on a trip with him next week. I’ll make sure to send you a souvenir :)”

“thumbs up emoji”

Later that evening, after hours of contemplation, Lila reached out to Damon’s lawyer, Simon. He was the one who had handled all the legal matters surrounding their marriage, and it was him she trusted to help her make the difficult decision.

She took a deep breath before typing her message.

“Simon, I need to discuss the possibility of filing for a divorce. Damon’s ex-fiancée, Maddy, is back, and I believe my presence here is no longer necessary. Please let me know when we can talk.”

Her fingers hovered over the screen for a moment longer, and then she hit send. It was done.

Lila knew exactly what this would mean. Divorce was an admission of failure. It would be the end of the marriage that had been built on a contract, on cold logic, and on a silent understanding that neither party would ever get too close. But now, with Maddy’s return, the distance was too much to bear.

For two years, Lila had been everything Damon needed-everything he wanted from her. But now, she had to step aside. She had always known that Damon’s heart had never truly belonged to her, and with Maddy back in the picture, it was time for her to leave. She didn’t belong here anymore.

The phone buzzed again. A message from Damon’s assistant, confirming his schedule for the next week. Lila read the text, feeling the tightness in her chest again. She sighed.

It was time to let go.