The Wife He Never Meant to Love (Lila and Damon) novel Chapter 187

Chapter 187

Chapter 187

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The next morning arrived with a quiet determination that settled deep in Mark’s chest.

Sleep had done little to ease his thoughts. If anything, it sharpened them.

By the time he stood once again in front of Blackthorne Industries, there was no hesitation left in him-only

purpose.

Inside, the lobby looked exactly the same. Polished. Controlled. Untouchable.

But this time, things were different.

“Sir,” the receptionist called as soon as she recognized him. “Please wait at the lobby. I’ll inform Mr. Blackthorne as soon as he arrives.”

Mark paused, slightly caught off guard.

So Damon wasn’t here yet.

Or at least that’s what they wanted him to believe.

“I’ll wait,” Mark replied, keeping his tone even.

He took a seat in the same pristine space, his eyes casually scanning the area while his mind stayed sharp. Every passing minute stretched longer than it should have.

People came in. People signed in. People were escorted upstairs.

Not him.

Minutes turned into an hour.

Then another.

No update.

No call.

No acknowledgment.

Mark’s patience began to wear thin.

His gaze shifted toward the receptionist, who was now busy attending to other visitors-smiling, answering calls, typing away as if he no longer existed.

So this was their plan.

Make him wait until he gave up.

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Chapter 187

Mark leaned back slightly, exhaling through his nose as he thought.

Fine.

If they weren’t going to let him in-

He’d find his own way.

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Carefully, Mark stood, making it look as though he was simply stretching his legs. He walked slowly across the lobby, timing his movements with the receptionist’s distractions.

When she turned her attention fully to a guest at the desk-

Mark moved.

Quick. Quiet.

. He slipped past the side corridor and found the emergency stairwell. The door clicked softly behind him as

he entered.

The silence inside was stark.

No cameras in obvious sight. No guards.

Just concrete walls and the echo of his own breathing.

Mark began to climb.

One floor.

Two.

Three.

Time blurred as he moved carefully, listening at every landing before continuing. Hours seemed to pass-not because of distance, but because of caution.

By the time he finally stopped, his legs burned slightly, but his focus remained intact.

He checked the hallway.

Clear.

Mark slipped out of the stairwell and into the building’s interior once more.

Now closer.

Now inside.

He moved with measured steps, blending in as much as he could. After a short walk, he reached the elevators.

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Chapter 187

This was riskier.

But faster.

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Mark pressed the button and stepped inside when the doors opened. He kept his head slightly lowered. avoiding unnecessary attention.

The elevator began to rise.

Only then did he notice-

He wasn’t alone.

At first, he ignored it. Whoever was inside didn’t matter as long as he stayed unnoticed.

But something felt off.

A presence.

Heavy. Intentional.

Watching.

Mark’s jaw tightened slightly. Slowly, he lifted his gaze-not directly, but toward the reflective surface of the elevator wall.

And that’s when he saw him.

Simon.

The cold gaze met his through the reflection-sharp, unreadable, and fully aware.

So much for unnoticed.

“Mr. Simon,” Mark said, turning just enough to acknowledge him. “Nice to meet you here.”

Simon didn’t react immediately. His expression remained calm, almost indifferent.

“What is your purpose in visiting here?” Simon asked flatly.

No warmth. No surprise.

Just calculation.

“I need to talk to Damon,” Mark replied.

“He is busy,” Simon said without hesitation. “And will not meet anyone.”

Mark’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Even me? His brother-in-law?”

For the first time, something shifted.

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Chapter 187

Simon let out a soft, cold laugh.

“Brother-in-law,” he repeated, as if testing the words.

Then his gaze hardened again.

“Yes,” Simon said. “He won’t meet anyone.”

A pause.

“Even if it’s his wife.”

The words hit differently.

He won’t meet anyone.

Not even her.

Not even his own family.

The elevator slowed.

Ding.

The doors slid open.

Simon stepped out first, his movements smooth and unhurried.

Mark followed without thinking.

Simon noticed.

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He glanced back over his shoulder briefly, scanning the hallway-not for Mark, but for anyone else.

No one was paying attention.

Good.

Or dangerous.

They continued walking until Simon reached his office. He entered without a word, and Mark stepped in right behind him.

The door closed with a quiet click.

Now there was no pretense.

Simon moved to his desk and sat down, his hands clasping together as he leaned back slightly. His eyes lifted to meet Mark’s.

“You’re wasting your time here,” Simon said. “It’s better if you return to your sister and watch them.”

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Chapter 187

Mark didn’t move.

Didn’t speak.

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Simon reached for a stack of documents on his desk, flipping through them as if the conversation barely required his attention.

“So he doesn’t want to meet his wife and son?” Mark pressed, his voice firmer now.

Simon didn’t look up immediately.

“Do what you promised Damon,” he said calmly. “Keep your sister and nephew safe-as much as possible.”

That made Mark freeze.

Not the words-

But the way Simon said them.

Like a warning.

Like something already set in motion.

Mark’s mind raced, trying to connect pieces that refused to fit.

Why would Damon avoid them?

Why would Simon emphasize safety?

What weren’t they saying?

Silence stretched between them.

Heavy. Uncomfortable.

Final.

Mark took a step back.

Then another.

If Simon wasn’t going to let him through, pushing further now would only make things worse.

He turned toward the door.

But just as his hand reached for the handle-

“Don’t even think about forcing your way into his office.”

Simon’s voice cut through the room.

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15:41 Mon, May 4

Chapter 187

Clear.

Sharp.

A warning, not a suggestion.

Mark paused, his grip tightening slightly on the handle.

He didn’t turn back.

But he understood.

Whatever was happening inside Blackthorne Industries-

It was bigger than he thought.

And Damon…

Was right at the center of it.

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15:41 Mon, May 4