The Wife He Never Meant to Love (Lila and Damon) novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

00:02:08

Lila’s heart was beating in her throat, each pulse a reminder of how impossible this whole situation had become. She had known, deep down, that Damon would never let her go easily. But hearing his refusal-his cold, calculated words-struck her harder than anything else.

She had thought that asking for a divorce would be the end of it. That Damon, with all his power and control, would finally see that she was done playing the role of the dutiful wife. But as soon as the words left her mouth, she saw the flicker of something darker in his eyes. He wasn’t just angry; he was calmly dismissive-a man who didn’t believe for a second that she could walk away from him.

Lila stood there, the space between them feeling unbearably vast, but she didn’t look away. She had already made her decision, but as Damon’s gaze hardened, she could feel her resolve start to waver. She had given up so much for this marriage-her hopes, her future, even a part of herself. But now, with Maddy back in the picture, she saw herself slipping away more and more.

“Lila,” Damon began, his voice low, a soft sneer curling on his lips. “You’re not going anywhere. You’re still under contract for another year, and as far as I’m concerned, you’re not walking away from this anytime soon.”

She swallowed hard. She had seen this coming, but hearing him say it-seeing his indifference to her pain— was like a slap across her face.

“Damon…” Her voice trembled despite her efforts to sound strong. “I’m not going to keep playing the part of your wife. Not when Maddy’s back. You’re in love with her, and I’m just… here.” The words stung, but they were true. She was just here-a placeholder, nothing more.

Damon’s eyes didn’t soften. Instead, they narrowed with something that felt dangerously close to contempt. “You knew what you were signing up for, Lila,” he said, his tone sharp. “This marriage, this contract, it’s about business. It’s always been about business. You don’t get to walk away just because you feel like it. And I’m not going to entertain your little fantasies about divorce.”

Lila’s chest tightened. Business. That was all she had ever been to him. A transaction.

She stood there, her hands clenched into fists, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall. But she wouldn’t let him see her break. Not now.

“I’m not going to let myself stay here and pretend anymore,” she said through gritted teeth. “I’m not going to let you destroy me. I’m asking for a divorce, Damon. And if you won’t give it to me…” Her voice faltered. “Then I’ll find another way.”

Damon’s lips curled into a small, mocking smile, though there was no warmth in it. “You’ll find another way?” His eyes flashed with something she couldn’t quite decipher-amusement? Irritation? “I don’t think you’ll be so lucky, Lila.”

Later that day, Lila received an unexpected call from Simon, Damon’s lawyer. She had been waiting for it, but the reality of it hit her with a force that made her stomach turn.

When she picked up the phone, Simon’s voice was calm, but there was something urgent about it that sent a chill down her spine.

Chapter 4

@00:02:04

“Lila,” Simon began, his tone polite but distant. “I’ve received the update from Damon. He’s refusing to grant the divorce.”

Lila’s breath caught in her throat. She had known this was coming, but hearing it confirmed made it feel so much more final. She sat down on the edge of the couch, gripping the phone like it was her last tether to any form of reality.

“I know,” she replied quietly, her voice thin. “But he can’t just keep me here.”

“He can, and he will,” Simon said bluntly. “There’s a clause in the contract that requires you to stay as his wife until the end of the three-year term. This is a binding agreement, Lila.”

Lila closed her eyes, the weight of her helplessness crashing down on her. She had known the contract was a trap, but hearing the cold, legal truth of it in Simon’s voice made it real in a way she hadn’t fully understood before.

“Simon, please,” Lila said, her voice breaking, “I can’t stay with him. I can’t keep pretending I’m fine when he’s in love with someone else.”

There was a long pause on the other end of the line before Simon spoke again.

“Lila,” he said, his tone softer now, but still professional, “Damon has added a new clause to the agreement. If you insist on divorce before the contract ends, you will be responsible for all divorce proceedings, including the lawyer’s fees. And there’s more. You’ll also have to pay double the amount he’s paid you over the past two years as your ‘salary’ for playing the role of his wife.”

Lila felt as though the floor had dropped out beneath her. Her head spun, and she struggled to process what Simon was telling her.

“Double?” she repeated, the word tasting foreign on her tongue. “He can’t do that. This isn’t fair.”

“I’m afraid it’s all laid out in the contract, Lila,” Simon replied gently. “You signed it. And Damon has the legal right to enforce it. If you leave, you’ll owe him a substantial amount-more than you can afford. This is the price you’ll pay for walking away.”

Lila’s heart sank. She had hoped-desperately hoped-that there would be some way out, some clause that could free her from this prison. But Damon had thought of everything. He had tied her down with his cold, calculating legal framework, ensuring that she couldn’t escape him without a cost.

She felt like she was drowning.

“Lila, I know this isn’t what you wanted,” Simon said, his voice sympathetic but firm. “But you’re caught in the terms. The law is clear. You’ll have to make a decision soon. If you decide to fight it, I can help you with the proceedings. But understand that Damon is not going to let you go without a fight.”

The words hung in the air, a suffocating weight.

Lila put the phone down, feeling the tears well up in her eyes. She wasn’t sure whether it was the betrayal, the hopelessness, or the crushing weight of her own desperation that broke her.

She sat there, her hands trembling in her lap, staring blankly at the wall. She had two choices: stay and endure the rest of the contract, knowing Damon would never look at her the way he did Maddy-or fight him, but at

11:15 Mon, May 4

Chapter 4

an unbearable price.

Her phone buzzed in her lap. A message from Damon.

“Meet me in my office tonight.”

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@00:01:57

Lila stared at the message for a long moment, her chest tight with both dread and anger. Damon had made his decision. And now she had to decide whether to keep playing this game or finally walk away from a man who had never truly cared for her.

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11:15 Mon, May 4