Only His On Paper

n here one night, but already it felt like I was being watched

eally. Not after what

n a way that gnawed at me. I couldn't ask Naomi. And Damian...

ng his voice

nter in this hous

id that ro

shb

ter

lled like old ink

classic, calculated, untouchable. There were no flowers. No smiles. No

er into this legal union with Miss Ava

swer:

s finalizi

ked me, my v

-Y

e. He spoke with his lawyer. Che

that - I w

es

nreadable in black-on-black, scrolling through his phone

s navy, like his suit. My hair pinned back so tightly it pulled at my

a

en on

ey were dressing up

, eyes still on his screen.

berate. "Are you afraid

gaze met mine

you'll remind pe

caught in

ask what that mea

t wait to b

navy. Hair pinned. Minimal jewelry. You are not to spea

ed. "Wh

tion was offensive. "Bec

cou

lver boxes of makeup. I stood still while they clipped, pa

finished, the mir

howe

ger I was

, slow, detached. No reaction. No compliment. Just a

t's

ea of champagne

arpet. Damian took my hand like a brand, like a

ose enough to brus

I d

the part of a couple in love

chandeliers and veiled intentions. Everythin

who spoke in numbers. Women floated pas

ouched flute in hand, feeling like a

behind me, sharp as whisp

er. The n

fter everything

d like ice wate

le

om the forb

. The blo

ening. But the damage was done. The c

s she

d her name feels like a

mian's side. He d

empty. My ribs ached from standing so straight. My he

est rising and falling too fast.

lt the ai

mi

stepped through the wall itself. His hand closed around my

dropped li

n't wan

eded

eath brushing my nec

embarra

ed and walked away, back into the gl

didn't

me, I saw something in t

sity. Not

i

ke I'd walked into a

first time

ked like th

an in t

le

he smiled

d survive a man lik

she