The Wife He Never Meant to Love (Lila and Damon) novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Lila’s heart pounded as Damon stepped further into the penthouse, his gaze shifting from her to the carefully arranged space around them. He was dressed in his usual immaculate suit, exuding that calm, impenetrable aura that made him so infuriatingly attractive-and so distant.

She had never been one to show her emotions openly, but the weight of the last few days was too much to carry any longer. She had spent the entire morning lost in thought, battling with the rational part of herself— the

part that knew this marriage was nothing more than an agreement-and the part that had quietly grown attached to the man she could never have. Damon Blackthorne.

“Good morning,” he said casually, his voice devoid of any real warmth. He moved toward the kitchen, opening the fridge and grabbing a bottle of water.

Lila had expected this, the aloofness, the indifference. Damon never did anything that would make him vulnerable, never allowed anyone to see too much of him.

But today was different. Today, she would make sure he saw it. She would say the words that had been twisting inside her for so long.

“Damon,” she started, her voice steady despite the anxiety coiling in her stomach. He didn’t respond right away, but she could feel his presence shifting in the air, as if he knew this moment was significant.

“I’ve been thinking,” she continued, slowly turning to face him. He was still leaning against the kitchen counter, fiddling with the bottle cap, not meeting her eyes.

His gaze flicked to her, an eyebrow arched in that typical way he always had, as if he were awaiting her to continue.

Lila swallowed, gathering the courage to say what needed to be said. “About everything.”

His expression remained unchanged, though the slight furrow of his brow suggested he was beginning to feel the weight of her words.

“I think it’s time we ended this marriage,” she said quietly, the words hanging in the air like a weight. “I think it’s time for a divorce.”

Damon froze. His eyes narrowed, and his lips pressed into a thin line. The air between them thickened, charged with a tension that felt almost suffocating. He wasn’t angry, not yet-but Lila could tell he was surprised.

“Why?” His voice was softer now, almost too soft. It was the kind of softness that meant he was processing something he hadn’t expected, something he didn’t know how to handle.

Lila forced herself to remain calm, to keep her emotions in check. She had made her decision, and she wasn’t going to back down.

“I know about Maddy’s return. I know that you never stopped loving her, Damon,” she said, her voice steady despite the sting the words caused. “I can’t keep pretending that I’m needed here when she’s back in the picture. You don’t need me anymore. You never did.”

Damon’s eyes flickered with something-surprise, perhaps? It was fleeting, but it was there. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but no words came out.

Lila took a slow, deliberate step closer to him, her gaze locked on his. “There’s no need for us to keep playing this husband-and-wife game anymore, Damon. Maddy’s back, and you’ve already spent the weekend with her. You don’t need me in your life anymore. You never did.”

Damon didn’t flinch. He simply reached into his pocket, pulling out a sleek, black credit card. He placed it on the table in front of her, the movement deliberate, cold, and calculating.

“Tomorrow is my nephew’s birthday,” he said, his voice still businesslike. “I expect you to be there. Get a dress -whatever you need. Get him a gift.” He paused, his eyes locking onto hers with a look that, for all its detachment, carried a weight that made her heart skip a beat. “And make sure you’re presentable. I won’t tolerate anything less.”

Lila stared at the card for a long moment, the glint of the metallic surface catching her eye. This card-this small, cold object-was a symbol of everything her life had become. A life bound by money, rules, and expectations that she could no longer deny.

“You know where I’ll be. Don’t forget.” Damon turned on his heel and headed for the door, his steps measured, confident.

But just as his hand was on the doorknob, he turned back, his voice colder than before. “And remember, Lila. The contract still stands.”

Without waiting for her response, Damon opened the door and walked out, leaving her standing there, alone, with the black card still lying on the table in front of her.

Lila let out a shaky breath and picked it up. She ran her thumb over the edges, the weight of it in her hand suddenly feeling much heavier than she had expected. What had she gotten herself into?

She stared at the card, her mind racing with a thousand thoughts. It seemed impossible now-her chance at freedom, slipping further away with every word Damon had said.