Page 237 of In Love with a Cruel Billionaire

Damen’s gaze narrowed. Could this be why his wife appeared emotional right now?

He had a feeling it was, but Damen forced himself to set the thought aside for the time being. He had more important matters to take care of.

Wrapping a protective arm around Mairi’s shoulder, he drew her close. “Let’s go?”

Mairi nodded.

Inside the Rolls Royce – his concession to her not wanting to be fetched in a limousine on her first day at work – Damen gave his wife some time before asking quietly, “Is anything wrong?”

Mairi froze at the question. “W-why do you ask?” She didn’t dare look at him. She was terrified if she did, he’d know the truth. That she had stupidly given another man a chance to kiss her.

A part of her knew what Velvet told her was true. That it was just a kiss, and it shouldn’t mean anything when she hadn’t even wanted it.

But even so...she hated herself for it. She couldn’t help remembering what happened between her and Drake, and how the knowledge had devastated Damen.

‘His name is Drake. He’s been living with me for a week.’ The agony in Damen’s face almost made her falter, but she forced herself to continue. Hurting him was the only way to free herself, and Mairi wanted to stop loving him now.

‘And when he asked if I wanted him...when Drake asked me if I wanted him to make me come—-’

‘DON’T SAY ANOTHER WORD.’ The pain on his face was indescribable.

‘I told him—-’

His next words broke the chain of love binding them, but it also broke her.

‘Goddammit, please, I’m begging you. Don’t say it.’

And though it hurt, Mairi had not heeded him, had not stopped hurting him. Because then, in her eyes, Damen was still not as broken, was still not as ravaged the way he had once left her.

The memories made her shudder, and suddenly Damen was next to her, cupping her face, his mouth covering hers. He kissed her fiercely, and she kissed him back just as passionately.

When he pulled away, his face became grim when he saw the unshed tears in his wife’s eyes. “Tell me what’s wrong, sweetheart.”

She shook her head. “I want to...I want to solve it on my own.”

Their gazes held, hers pleading, his brooding.

“It will make you feel better if you do?”

She nodded.

“You promise to tell me if you need my help...before you get hurt?”

She nodded again.

Another moment passed before Damen slowly nodded.

Mairi exhaled, only realizing then she had been holding her breath the whole time she was waiting for his answer. “Thank you, Damen,” she said tremulously.

“I told you,matakia mou. All I want is for you to be happy.”

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