The Wife He Never Meant to Love (Lila and Damon) novel Chapter 96

Chapter 96

Chapter 96

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The next morning, sunlight poured through the villa’s windows, spilling across the wooden floors and soft furniture. Lila stood by the doorway, looking out over the small farm. The rows of vegetables, a few fruit trees, and even a small chicken coop made the place feel alive in a way the hospital never could.

“I… I’ve never seen anything like this,” Lila said softly, her fingers brushing over the window frame. “It’s… peaceful.”

Ina stepped beside her, smiling gently. “It’s yours now. You can take your time, learn, and get used to it. Nothing bad can reach you here.”

Mark appeared behind them, carrying a basket of fresh vegetables he had picked from the garden the day before. “We’ll start slowly,” he said. “You don’t have to do everything at once. But this farm… it’ll help you feel grounded. You’ll have a routine, and you’ll see the results of your efforts every day.”

Lila hesitated, then nodded. The idea of working with the plants, of feeling the earth in her hands, was strangely comforting. It was tangible, real-something she could control, unlike the chaos of her past.

Over the next few days, Lila began exploring the villa and tending to the small farm. She watered the vegetables, helped collect eggs from the chickens, and even tried her hand at pruning a small apple tree. Ina guided her patiently, explaining tasks and making sure she didn’t overdo anything.

Mark kept a watchful eye from a distance, making occasional corrections or offering advice, but mostly letting her take the lead. He wanted her to feel independent while still being safe.

Each evening, as the sun set over the villa and the fields, Lila would sit on the veranda with a cup of tea, watching the chickens settle in their coop and the last light fade from the fruit trees. The simple rhythm of life—the farm, the quiet, the care of the villa-was helping her feel something she hadn’t in weeks: calm.

Mark and Ina watched her from the doorway, both silently acknowledging that this was the start of something important. The villa wasn’t just a safe place-it was a chance for Lila to rebuild herself, slowly, on her own

terms.

Yet in the back of Mark’s mind, he remained vigilant. He knew that while the villa offered peace now, her past could reach her again if they weren’t careful. For Lila, this was a fresh start-but for Mark, the battle to keep her safe had only just begun.

Mark entered the sleek conference room of Blackthorne Industries, carrying himself with his usual calm, confident presence. Margaret was already waiting, reviewing a set of documents on the polished table.

“Are you sure about this?” Margaret asked, looking up at him. “This Integer technology… it’s your design, isn’t

it?”

Mark nodded politely. “Yes. But this is for the best. It will be handled carefully and responsibly.”

Margaret’s expression softened slightly. “How’s your sister?”

“She’s okay,” Mark replied. “Recovering… slowly. She’s safe now.”

Margaret’s eyes darkened, a mix of concern and resolve crossing her face. “It wasn’t an accident. Someone

14:46 Mon, May 4 M

Chapter 96

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deliberately caused the crash. We’re still investigating thoroughly, and I promise, your sister will get the justice she deserves.”

“Thank you,” Mark said sincerely. He gave a small nod and turned to leave, confident that Margaret would handle the matter with care.

As he walked out of the building, his mind briefly flicked back to Lila, tending to the farm at the villa. He allowed himself a small, reassuring thought: she was safe. For now, that was enough.

Margaret stood silently beside Damon’s hospital bed, watching his chest rise and fall with the steady rhythm of the ventilator. He was still deeply asleep, unconscious and unaware of the storm swirling around him. The machines beeped softly, a gentle reminder that he was alive, for now. Margaret’s eyes narrowed slightly, her mind already racing through possibilities.

“We’ll dig deep, son,” she whispered, her voice low and firm, more to steel herself than to speak to Damon. “We’ll find out who did this… and why.” She paused, placing a gentle hand on the blanket near his shoulder. Then, her voice softened just enough to carry reassurance. “As for your wife… she’s safe.”

Far away, at the hidden villa, the atmosphere was deceptively calm. Someone moved through the rooms, tidying and removing traces of their earlier intrusion. They worked quickly, believing that the evidence of their presence had not yet been discovered. They were careful, meticulous, and utterly unaware that someone -or something-was watching. A silent observer had tracked their movements from the shadows, every step monitored, every action noted.

Inside the villa, Lila received news that should have been joyous, but left her feeling unsteady. She was pregnant. The word echoed in her mind, bringing a strange mixture of shock, disbelief, and awe. She pressed a hand to her stomach, feeling an unfamiliar flutter, unsure what the future held.

Ina knelt beside her, her expression gentle but serious. “Lila… your husband… he died in the accident,” she explained softly.

Lila’s eyes filled with tears, not just from grief, but from the weight of the news, and from the sudden realization that she carried new life within her. The villa, with its peaceful farm and quiet rooms, suddenly felt both like a sanctuary and a reminder of everything she had lost.

Ina’s heart ached as she watched her friend struggle to absorb the truth. She squeezed Lila’s hand, a silent promise in her touch. “You’re not alone in this,” she said firmly. “I’ll support you, Lila. Whatever you want, whatever you need-I’ll be here. You won’t have to face this by yourself.”

Lila’s eyes met Ina’s, searching for reassurance. Slowly, she nodded, letting a single tear roll down her cheek. The news was overwhelming, but Ina’s presence made it feel manageable. Somehow, even in the middle of uncertainty and danger, she felt a fragile thread of hope.

Outside the villa, the watcher remained hidden, unseen, yet unwavering. They observed the movements of the intruders who had believed themselves unnoticed. Every wiped surface, every removed trace, was cataloged silently by eyes that refused to blink. Danger had not gone away-it was simply lurking, patient, waiting for the right moment.

Inside, the villa’s warmth and quiet seemed to cradle Lila in a fragile cocoon of safety. But the outside world, with its secrets and threats, reminded her that her life was still precarious. Yet, for the first time since the accident, she allowed herself to feel something she had not felt in months: cautious hope.

14:46 Mon, May 4 M…