Chapter 46

Clara

Three days have passed since I left the mansion and last saw Damon. Every morning and night, I think I see his car outside my house, but it's probably my imagination. My mind is playing tricks on me.

I've been so lonely; I even cried myself to sleep once. How did I get so attached to someone in such a short time? I'll never understand this "mate pull" thing.

True to Luca's word, the maids arrived that night and finished everything in minutes. The house sparkled when they left, and it was fully stocked with food. Under different circumstances, I would have been thrilled to live in such a beautiful home, but it only reminded me of my loneliness.

The interior designer came the next day. I told him what I wanted, and by that evening, it was all done. I loved it. It almost felt like home, but was it my home? That's the question I couldn't answer.

"Dear, I don't understand," Aunt Amelia said on the phone. "Is the secret that bad you can't tell me?" I plopped onto my white couch, cereal bowl in hand.

"Yes, it's that bad, and I don't want to talk about it. Anyway, Damon and I haven't spoken since. I think he honestly hates me now," I murmured, sighing and taking a spoonful of cereal.

"Well, you were rude to him," she pointed out. I rolled my eyes.

"Thanks for pointing that out," I muttered sarcastically. She chuckled.

"Just go out and have some fun. Take your mind off him. Don't you have friends?" she asked. I pouted.

"I have you," I mumbled. She laughed.

"I mean friends your age. No friends at work?" she asked. I sighed.

"Damon's sister, Delilah, is a friend, but she's been out of the country. I have a few friends at work, but most don't particularly like me. They're having a work picnic tomorrow, but I don't think I'll go," I said.

"You are going. You need to get your mind off Damon, so you're going. Go find a cute dress right now," she ordered. I groaned.

"No buts, do it," she commanded. I sighed.

"Yes, Aunt Amelia," I mumbled. She sighed.

"Good. I have to go; my husband is pestering me. Sometimes I feel like killing him in his sleep," she said before hanging up. I laughed. That's how I felt when I first met Damon. How quickly things change! I still feel like killing him sometimes, though.

I sighed, finished my cereal, and prepared for bed. I stood, then paused, turned around, and went downstairs. I looked out the window and frowned. Damon's car wasn't there.

"I told you you were just losing your mind," I muttered to myself, closing the window before going to bed.

11:40 PM, Tue, July 2nd

Chapter 46

I was nervous as the driver took me to the park where the picnic was being held. I'd told Jason last night I was coming, and he immediately sent me the address.

I thought he and his brother would hate me—it was obvious Damon had gotten them fired—but they acted like nothing had happened. I was glad Damon had given them their jobs back.

"I'll wait here, ma'am," the driver said as the car stopped.

"Oh, you don't have to; you'll be bored. You can drive around, and I'll call you when I'm done," I said. The driver shook his head.

"No, ma'am, I'm fine waiting," he replied. I sighed and got out of the car.

I quickly spotted Jason; he waved me over to him and Job. I saw the dirty looks the other women were giving me, but I ignored them. Everyone knew I'd been staying at Damon's mansion.

In fact, the headlines read, "WIFE SENT OUT OF HOME FOR VARIOUS REASONS." Various rumors circulated, the most common being that Damon had gotten tired of me and thrown me out. I never bothered to correct anyone. What could I say?

"You look beautiful, Clara," Job complimented. I smiled.

Jasmine, one of the women who I felt hated me the most, suddenly cleared her throat.

"Shall we start?" The picnic began, and they immediately started chatting amongst themselves like old friends. I kept to myself, enjoying the cool breeze.

"Clara, since we're colleagues, can't you tell us why you were sent packing?" Jasmine suddenly asked, drawing everyone's attention.

"I heard your husband got tired of you. Well, you were never anything exciting, so that's no surprise," she said, and the other girls laughed.

"Even if I told you, you've already made up your mind, and I don't have the energy to correct you. Think whatever you want. It's a free world," I murmured. She scoffed.

"You're just saying that because you know I'm right. I heard you're living in an abandoned little house. He didn't even care enough to give you a mansion of your own," Jasmine said, and her friends laughed and agreed. I smirked.

"But the house is ten times bigger than the little shed you call home, am I wrong?" I said. Everyone gasped.

"You" Before she could react, she threw her glass of wine at me.

"Jasmine!" Jason shouted as I stood up. My gown was stained.

"Oops, my hand must have slipped," she mumbled. I glared at her and sighed.

"Coming here was a mistake. I'm going home," I said, running away despite Jason and Job calling my name.

I angrily wiped away my tears. Why the hell was I crying? I should be used to this kind of humiliation.

Reaching the car, I looked up and froze. Damon was parked across the street, staring straight at me.

2/3 11:41 PM, Tue, July 2nd