The Wife He Never Meant to Love (Lila and Damon) novel Chapter 49

Chapter 49

Chapter 49

Lila couldn’t understand Damon’s sudden shift in mood.

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At the gala, he had been composed-controlled, as always. But after that brief encounter in the hallway, something in him changed.

For the rest of the evening, he kept her close. His arm circled her waist possessively, fingers firm against her hip as though afraid she might disappear. When she excused herself to the restroom, he walked with her. Waited. Watched.

No space.

No distance.

No freedom.

Even when the gala ended, his hand remained at her back as they entered the car. It stayed there when they arrived at the Forest Villa.

“You should not engage with that man again,” Damon said quietly once they were inside.

His voice wasn’t raised.

It didn’t need to be.

“Okay,” Lila responded, her tone calm-almost resigned.

She turned toward the bathroom.

Footsteps followed.

Before she could close the door, Damon stepped in behind her.

The air tightened.

“What?” he asked evenly. “You want a divorce, right?”

Lila stared at him, caught off guard by the directness.

“If you’ve changed your mind, that’s fine,” he added coolly.

Then he walked out.

Just like that.

Leaving her standing there with questions she didn’t dare voice.

She took a long shower.

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Chapter 49

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The hot water cascaded over her skin, steam clouding the mirrors, but it did nothing to quiet her thoughts. Damon was unpredictable tonight. Controlled-but restless.

When she stepped out, wrapped in a towel, the bedroom was empty.

She knew where he would be.

The study.

Lila stood outside the closed door for longer than she intended. Her hand hovered near the handle, heart beating steadily in her chest.

If she wanted a clean exit…

If she wanted this marriage to end without chaos…

She had to understand the rules.

And one of Damon’s rules was clear:

Obedience.

She pushed the door open.

Damon sat at his desk, sleeves rolled up, eyes fixed on the monitor. The soft glow from the screen sharpened his features, casting shadows across his jaw.

He didn’t look up immediately.

Lila had changed into a thin, seductive nightgown. Soft fabric. Bare shoulders. Deliberate.

She walked behind him slowly and let her fingers slide into his hair.

Gentle.

Intimate.

“Dear,” she murmured softly near his ear, her voice dipped in silk, “let’s go to sleep.”

Damon inhaled sharply.

The sound was controlled-but not unaffected.

He turned in his chair, eyes darkening the moment they met hers.

There was heat there.

Possession.

Something more dangerous than either.

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Chapter 49

“Please me,” Damon said quietly.

Not a request.

A command wrapped in restraint.

Lila’s pulse quickened.

Because this wasn’t just about desire.

It was about power.

And tonight-

Neither of them intended to lose.

In the end-

Lila was the one devoured.

Damon had not been gentle.

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He had been controlled, precise… overwhelming. As if proving something. As if claiming something.

When she woke the next morning, her body ached in ways she could not ignore. Her skin carried visible marks-darkened love bites scattered along her collarbone and shoulder.

Proof.

Possession.

She stared at her reflection in the mirror for a long moment, fingers lightly brushing one of the marks.

If Maddy could provoke her…

Why couldn’t she return the favor?

An hour later, Lila arrived at the hospital.

She carried fresh flowers and breakfast, her appearance polished but intentionally revealing. The collar of her dress dipped just low enough.

Just enough.

Maddy was sitting upright in bed when Lila entered.

For a split second, Maddy smiled-

Until she saw her clearly.

Her gaze dropped.

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Chapter 49

Noticed.

Understood.

The smile vanished.

“You came,” Maddy said, voice tight.

“Of course,” Lila replied sweetly, placing the flowers by the bedside.

She stepped closer, slow, deliberate.

“You must hurry up, Maddy,” Lila added lightly.

Maddy’s eyes narrowed.

“Or I might get pregnant with Damon’s child.”

Silence thickened the air.

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“You told me once,” Lila continued softly, her smile calm and almost innocent, “that Damon is a monster.”

She tilted her head slightly.

“You’re right.”

Her fingers brushed absentmindedly against her own collarbone.

“And monsters don’t hold back.”

Then she smiled again-brighter this time.

“And I don’t think he plans to.”

Without waiting for a response, Lila turned and walked out of the room.

Her steps were steady.

Confident.

Changed.

Inside the hospital room, Maddy’s composure shattered.

The fragile, gentle expression fell away completely.

Her hands clenched into fists against the sheets.

“Bold,” she whispered under her breath. “You’ve become bold.”

Her breathing sharpened.

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Chapter 49

Then she reached for her phone.

Dialed.

It rang once before being answered.

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“Hi.” Maddy said smoothly, forcing her tone back into something controlled. “You’re in the city, right?”

A pause.

“I can’t come with you right now. I’m still at the hospital,” she continued, voice lowering.

“But you can still enjoy yourself.”

A faint smile curved her lips.

“Pick her up. I’ll send the address.”

She ended the call immediately.

No hesitation.

No second thoughts.

And within seconds, she sent the location.

Her eyes darkened as she stared at the screen.

“If you want to play bold, Lila…”

“Let’s see how bold you really are.”

It was past nine when Lila stepped out of the university gates.

The night air was cool, the campus unusually quiet. She adjusted her bag on her shoulder, already thinking about returning to the villa.

She didn’t hear the footsteps behind her.

A strong hand suddenly grabbed her from the side.

Before she could scream, a cloth pressed tightly against her nose.

A sharp, unfamiliar scent invaded her senses.

Her vision blurred.

Her limbs weakened.

Darkness swallowed her whole.

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Chapter 49

When Lila regained consciousness, the first thing she felt was softness beneath her.

A king-sized bed.

The second thing she noticed was the faint scent of expensive cologne.

Her lashes fluttered slightly, but she remained still.

Not fully awake.

Not fully asleep.

Across the room, Daven stood watching her.

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“You sure are a real beauty,” he murmured under his breath, stepping closer. His fingers hovered, then lightly brushed her cheek. “Too bad Damon doesn’t really care about you.”

He believed every word Maddy had fed him.

That Damon never loved Lila.

That she was only a substitute wife.

That Damon’s heart had always belonged to Maddy.

Three years of marriage-and still no child.

Proof enough, in Daven’s mind.

He smirked.

Tonight, he would be the hero.

He would be the one who “saved” her.

And perhaps… more.

On the table nearby, two drinks were already prepared.

Carefully arranged.

He waited patiently.

Excited.

Lila’s fingers twitched.

Then her eyes slowly opened.

Daven immediately shifted his expression, replacing the calculating look with concern.

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“Are you okay?” he asked gently, moving to help her sit up.

Her head spun.

“Mr. Foster…?” she whispered.

Her gaze darted around the room.

Hotel.

Large bed.

Closed curtains.

Her heartbeat quickened.

She looked down.

Her clothes were still on.

A silent breath of relief escaped her.

“Where am I?” she asked carefully.

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Daven sighed, shaking his head. “I saw a man grab you outside the university. I chased him. He ran. You fainted, so I brought you somewhere safe.”

He gave her a reassuring smile.

“You’re safe now.”

Lila’s throat felt painfully dry.

Daven picked up one of the glasses and handed it to her.

“You should drink this. You look pale.”

She stared at the glass.

Something in her chest tightened.

But her throat burned with dryness.

Her mind was still foggy.

Slowly-

She took the drink.

And swallowed.

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Chapter 49

The moment the liquid slid down her throat, Lila knew.

A warmth spread unnaturally fast through her veins.

Her pulse quickened.

Her skin tingled.

She looked up at Daven.

He was smiling.

Not concerned.

Not protective.

Expectant.

So that was it.

Lila did not panic.

Instead, she smiled back faintly.

“I need a moment,” she said softly, steady despite the heat rising beneath her skin.

She excused herself and moved toward the bathroom, closing the door firmly behind her.

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Almost immediately, the warmth intensified. Her breathing grew heavier, her thoughts blurring at the edges.

“Lila,” Daven called from outside, his voice no longer gentle. “Come out now. I’ll give you what you need.”

His tone shifted, darker.

“Let’s just say… the antidote to what you’re feeling.”

A fist hit the door.

Once.

Twice.

Harder.

Lila turned the shower to cold and stepped beneath it fully clothed. The icy water cascaded down her body, but it did little to extinguish the burning sensation spreading through her.

Her knees trembled.

Her breath came in shallow pulls.

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Chapter 49

Outside, the banging stopped.

Then-

A loud crash.

A thud.

Voices raised.

The unmistakable sound of violence.

Something heavy slammed against the wall.

The bathroom door suddenly burst open.

Lila screamed.

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Daven’s body was thrown across the tiles, landing near the sink. His face was bloodied, swollen, barely recognizable.

And behind him-

Damon.

His expression was calm.

Too calm.

He stepped over Daven without another glance and moved toward Lila immediately.

His hands steadied her.

“Damon…” she whispered, her fingers clutching weakly at his shirt. “It’s… so hot…”

His gaze softened slightly as he brushed wet strands of hair from her face.

“Smart girl,” he murmured. “You locked the door.”

His hand came to her cheek.

“It’s alright now.”

The burning in her veins intensified. She leaned into him instinctively, seeking relief.

Damon lifted her effortlessly, carrying her out of the bathroom and placing her gently on the king-sized bed.

His movements were controlled, purposeful.

He glanced once toward the broken form of Daven on the floor, eyes darkening for a fraction of a second before returning his focus entirely to Lila.

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Chapter 49

“You’ll be fine,” he said quietly.

And this time-

There was no doubt in his voice.

Because Damon Blackthorne never arrived late.

And he never let anyone touch what belonged to him.