The Wife He Never Meant to Love (Lila and Damon) novel Chapter 160

Chapter 160

Chapter 160

While the hunt intensified across unseen networks-

while signals were traced, traps laid, and minds collided in silence-

life, somewhere else, moved quietly.

Almost peacefully.

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The small coffee shop sat along a quiet street, its windows catching the soft afternoon light. Next door, a modest flower shop bloomed with color-fresh arrangements carefully placed, jninшpшurinin petal chosen

with care.

Inside, Lila moved gently between both spaces.

A cup of coffee here.

A bouquet adjusted there.

Simple things.

Safe things.

The kind of life that didn’t demand survival every second.

She placed a fresh arrangement by the window-white lilies, soft and unassuming.

For a moment, she paused… fingers brushing lightly against the petals.

A faint smile.

Not forced.

Not heavy.

Just… present,

The chime above the coffee shop door rang.

Clear.

Bright.

Marlou looked up instantly, his face breaking into a wide, practiced smile.

“Welcome-”

It disappeared just as quickly.

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Chapter 160

The woman standing at the entrance didn’t belong to this quiet place.

Not anymore.

For a brief second, neither of them moved.

History filled the space between them-unspoken, unresolved.

She stepped forward.

Composed.

Controlled.

But her eyes-

they carried something else.

“I’ll have a coffee,” she said softly.

Marlou didn’t respond right away.

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Then, mechanically, he turned, preparing the cup without another word. Every movement precise. Detached.

“Can we talk?” she asked.

A pause.

Then-

“… Alright.”

He glanced toward the counter.

“Tina, can you take over for a moment?”

Tina nodded, though her eyes flicked curiously toward the woman now taking a seat in the far corner.

Watching.

Sensing something off.

Marlou walked over and sat across from her.

The air between them felt heavier than the rest of the room.

She looked at him like nothing had changed.

Like she hadn’t already left.

Like she hadn’t already chosen another life.

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Chapter 160

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“Eric will hunt her,” she said, her voice trembling now, the composure finally cracking. “Please… stay away from her.”

Marlou stopped.

Slowly, he turned back.

Looked at her.

Really looked this time.

Not the woman she used to be.

Not the one who made promises she didn’t keep.

But someone afraid.

“For what it’s worth,” he said quietly,

“thanks for the concern.”

He gently pulled his wrist free.

And walked away.

From the counter, Tina pretended not to stare.

But she saw enough.

And by the window-

Lila stood still.

She hadn’t meant to listen.

But she had heard just enough.

Hunted.

The word lingered.

Heavy.

Familiar.

Her fingers tightened slightly around the bouquet she was holding.

The quiet life she had built-

the one she was trying so hard to believe in-

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Chapter 160

suddenly felt fragile.

Outside, the wind shifted.

And far away-

Damon and Mark moved closer to something dangerous.

Unaware that danger…

was already beginning

to circle closer

to her.

Lila saw Marlou sitting on the front porch, lost in deep thought.

“Hey, is something troubling you?” she asked, sliding into the chair beside him.

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“I was at the coffee shop, actually,” Marlou started, and after a pause, he added softly, “and after seeing her…. face to face… I don’t feel anything. I guess I’ve already moved on.”

Marlou let out a soft laugh.

“Good. That’s good,” Lila said, a hint of relief in her voice.

“Her husband is hunting you down,” Marlou said, his expression turning serious.

“Fair,” she replied with a laugh. “I mean, he throws money at me.”

Marlou’s eyes narrowed. “So… what do you plan?”

Lila remained silent.

“Maybe we can flee, go to Jenny’s parents, and from there… we can go overseas. This time we change our names,” Marlou suggested.

“I don’t think we can keep running,” Lila said firmly, turning to look at him. “We need to face them… head-

on.”

Marlou stared at her, a mixture of apprehension and admiration in his eyes.

Lila looked at Marlou, her voice barely above a whisper. “Can I ask… what is the name of your former boss?”

“Mr. Eric Bjorn,” Marlou said flatly.

The moment the name left his lips, Lila’s face drained of color. If she hadn’t been seated, she might have collapsed.

“Lila… are you okay?” Marlou asked, leaning closer.

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Chapter 160

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“Y-yeah… I’m fine,” she stammered, though the words sounded hollow even to her own ears. She couldn’t believe it-the man who had bought her life, controlled her fate… was Eric. The man’s calm appearance and composed demeanor gave no hint that he could ever stoop to such darkness.

“I’ve known him since university,” Lila said, her voice trembling slightly.

Marlou’s gaze softened as he studied her. “I know. After I became their personal driver, I noticed… sometimes he carries this aura. Like he’s ready to destroy anyone who annoys him. It’s subtle, but it’s there. Lila… he’s dangerous.”

For a long moment, they sat in silence. The air felt heavy, thick with unspoken fear and realization.

Finally, Marlou broke the quiet, a note of desperation in his voice. “Lila… let’s just run. Get out of here before he even realizes we’re awake.”

He glanced at her, hoping she would agree.

Lila shook her head slowly, her jaw set. “We can’t keep running, Marlou. Not now… not when we know how far he’ll go to get what he wants. If we run, he’ll just chase us harder.”

Marlou’s shoulders slumped. He had hoped for escape, for a simpler way out, but looking at her resolve, he realized the fight was inevitable.

Lila reached for his hand, her grip firm. “We face him. But we prepare. Every step, every move, carefully. We make sure he can’t touch us again-not legally, not physically.”

Marlou nodded slowly, the weight of reality settling over them both. “Alright,” he said quietly. “We face him… head-on.”

The sun dipped lower behind the horizon, casting long shadows over the porch. For the first time, fear mingled with determination, and together, they began to plan.

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