The charity event was at a luxury hotel downtown. There were gold chandeliers, red carpets, flashing cameras and everything felt big and loud. I wore the elegant black gown Damian picked for me. He had his hands on my back as we walked in, almost like I was a of trophy.
People turned to look. Some smiled. Some whispered. Damian smiled back, charming as always, but I could feel the tension in his body.
He hated these events.
We moved through the crowd, nodding and greeting people. I smiled politely, even when I didn't know who they were. Damian was calm and in control, until we bumped into him.
Lucas Reed.
He was tall, confident, and dressed in a navy blue suit. His hair was a little longer, but those sharp brown eyes hadn't changed. They looked into mine instantly.
"Elena?" he said, surprised, but smiling. "Wow. It's been a long time."
I froze. "Lucas."
He stepped closer. "You look… beautiful."
I took a deep breath. "Thanks. You look good too."
Before I could say more, Damian's hand was around my waist tighter. I looked up. His face was serious, his eyes cold.
"Lucas," he said flatly.
"Damian." Lucas gave a tight smile. "Still collecting beautiful things, I see."
That was a low blow.
Damian didn't react, but I could feel his grip tighten. "She's my wife," he said.
Lucas raised a brow. "Didn't think you were the marrying type."
"Guess people change," Damian shot back.
I shifted awkwardly, caught between them. "Lucas and I used to date," I said softly.
Damian's eyes didn't leave Lucas. "I know."
Lucas looked at me, ignoring Damian now. "Are you happy?"
I opened my mouth, but Damian cut in.
"She's very happy," he said. Then, he pulled me closer and kissed me, right in front of Lucas.
My heart skipped.
Lucas looked amused. "Well, good to see you again, Elena."
He walked off. The moment he was out of sight, Damian grabbed my hand and pulled me away.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"We're leaving."
"But we just got here"
"I don't care."
He dragged me through the hallway, not saying a word until we were in the elevator.
"Why were you talking to him like that?" he asked suddenly.
"Like what?"
"Like you missed him."
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to. It was all over your face."
I turned to face him. "Why does it matter? You don't care, remember?"
His eyes looked into mine. "You think I don't care?"
"I don't know. Do you?"
He stepped closer. "I don't like anyone looking at you like that."
"He was just being polite"
"He wants you back."
"So what if he does? I'm not going anywhere."
He stared at me, breathing hard. "Good."
We stood there in silence. The elevator doors opened, but we didn't move.
"You're jealous," I whispered.
He didn't deny it. "You're mine, Elena."
Something about the way he said it made my heart skip again.
I smiled a little. "Then act like it for the right reasons. Not just to win."
He looked at me, licking his lips. "You drive me crazy."
"Good."
And just like that, the tension faded. But deep inside, I knew… this was just the beginning.
Something was happening between us.
And things would never be the same again.