Page 49 of Rekindling Desire

“Why would I kick you out?” I finally asked.

After a hearty sip of his wine, Damien sat back. There was something in his expression I couldn’t identify. “Amber came to my office this afternoon.”

I set my glass on the table in front of the sofa. “Is this why you’ve been quiet?”

As he nodded, my stomach twisted.

“Whatever it is, we will make it work.”

He closed his eyes and exhaled. “I can’t even say it.”

“What?”

Standing, Damien paced between the fireplace and the windows that led to my back deck. “It’s so fucking unbelievable. I told you I called Timothy.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Amber and I broke up.”

I nodded.

Damien returned to the sofa. Sitting, he leaned forward with his hands between his spread knees and stared toward the floor. “She wanted to marry. I knew about the addendum, but I didn’t care. I knew she wasn’t my person, my one. You played a recurring role in my dreams. I’m not saying I was waiting for your return; I just knew she wasn’t the one.”

“Why was she in your office?” There was an edge to my voice.

“She told me that she and Darius weren’t married.”

I pulled back. “They lied?”

“According to her, they had the ceremony. They applied for the license, like we did. There’s no wait in Florida, so it takes time to get the permanent license. Their license hit a snag.”

My curiosity was piqued. “A snag? What kind of snag?”

“According to Indiana records, Amber is already married.”

A cold chill scattered over my skin. “Married. Married to who?”

His eyes closed and Adam’s apple bobbed. “Me.”

“What the hell?” I stood, backing away from him. “You’re married? I asked you, and you said you didn’t marry her. You just said you broke up when she wanted to marry.”

Damien was on his feet and coming toward me.

“No.” I lifted my hands. “Don’t touch me. Explain why you lied.”

Oh my God. He lied to me.

I reached for my temples. “I can’t believe this. I’m such a fool.”

“Ella, you’re not a fool. It makes no sense, but I didn’t know we were married.” He opened his eyes wider. “I’ll show you my taxes. I filed single.”

“Your taxes. Your taxes.” I said the phrase louder each time. “How could you be married and not know you’re married? Were you drunk? High? What?”

“Let me explain.”

“You can’t explain this.” I shook my head. “You lied. I asked one thing of you. I asked you not to hurt me.”

“Ella, listen to me.”

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