Chapter Forty-Six

“H ow does it feel to be back?” Vicky asks, settling on the plush sofa across from me in the mansion’s sprawling sitting area. It’s surreal, finally being home after two months of constant travel.

I take a deep breath, my gaze drifting over the familiar contours of the room. “It feels…” I pause, struggling to find words. “I don’t know,” I admit, giving her a soft, helpless smile. And it’s true—I can’t quite grasp everything that’s been building up inside me.

Right after our stargazing night, Damian and I had to drop everything and fly to Greece for an urgent business crisis. A minor issue spiraled out of control. A single conference call with his executives would’ve saved days of fallout, but Damian had switched off his phone when we were out that day and there were consequences.

The two weeks that followed in Greece were hectic. Damian was practically living in his office. He was occupied with meetings and obligations that seemed to swallow all his time.

We already had this weird tension between us since the night he admitted feeling guilty for wanting and marrying me. With him always busy, we barely had a chance to talk.

Even though we hadn’t talked or worked things out, I kept my thoughts in check and refused to let myself overthink or worry too much. I didn’t let my mind run wild with the doubts I knew were lurking, waiting for the right moment to pounce. Instead, I clung to the part where he said that he never cheated on me and he never would. And that he wants only me, respects and values my feelings and our marriage.

Once Damian was finally free, he decided to extend our stay for another week so we could explore Athens together. It felt like his way of giving us a chance to work things out, and somehow, that week mended everything between us.

“Aren’t you happy?”

I blink, then nod, feeling a small smile tugging at my lips. “I am,” I say, and it feels entirely true. I am happy.

Damian may not trust me with his secrets yet, but over the past two months, he’s shown me that he wants me. Really wants me in his life. He had his reasons for staying distant all this time, and while he hasn’t shared them, I’m willing to wait. I’m willing to wait for the day he trusts me enough to open up. These months have rekindled a spark of hope in me, and now, I’m ready to fight for us.

She watches me carefully, a glint of warmth in her gaze. “I don’t know much about your marriage,” she says. “When I was first hired, you were… different. Sad, maybe. There was this heaviness around you, like you were carrying the weight of the world alone.” She hesitates, then adds, “Honestly, I thought Mr. Montgomery didn’t care for you, not the way he should. But watching you both for the past two months… it’s changed my mind.”

“And mine,” I agree, more to myself than her. I no longer have doubts—not in the way I used to.

Vicky grins, breaking the serious moment. “As for me,” she declares with a playful lilt, “I’m in love with Paris.”

The change in topic pulls a laugh from me, and I shake my head. Paris—my favorite city, my dream destination. Damian had whisked me there after Athens just because he could.

A few months ago, I was there on the run, convinced he’d never find me, never understand why I left. Now, I can hardly think about the streets of Paris without picturing him beside me.

“How did you even find my rings after I tossed them in the trash at the airport?” I’d asked him one evening as we walked along the Seine.

“Your rings had trackers.”

“What?” I stopped, holding up my hand, examining the rings as if I could see the tiny devices hidden inside.

“Relax, those rings are new.”

When I looked at him, still confused, he added, “Do you really think I’d let my wife wear rings she threw in the trash?”

“But those were worth—”

“Millions, yes.” His fingers brushed against my cheek, his touch achingly gentle. “Which is nothing compared to you. I had them retrieved so I could have them remade exactly the same.”

I touched the huge diamond and the band, amazed. “So… these don’t have trackers?”

“No.”

I was just starting to smile when he added, “But it’s in the necklace.”

I gasped, my hand flying to my throat.

“And in those studs,” he continued, laughing at the horror in my eyes. He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me close as we resumed our walk.

He never did clarify if he was joking, and knowing Damian, I doubt he was.

When I joked about putting a tracker in his wedding band, he just smiled and said, “Sure. I’ll get it done.”

I forgot all about it until he mentioned it again two days ago, telling me it was done, shocking me.

I turn back to Vicky, smiling. “Can you believe we were gone for nearly two months?”

She shakes her head. “Thanks to you and Mr. Montgomery, even I got to travel around the world,” she says, her voice brimming with gratitude. “I never dreamed I’d see any of those places—Scotland, London, New Zealand, Greece and Paris… It was like living in a dream.”

I smile. “It all feels like a dream, doesn’t it?” Then it falters when I ask, “Anything from Matt?”

Vicky’s smile fades, the light in her eyes dimming. She shakes her head slowly, and my heart sinks. Matt has gone AWOL.

During the second week in Scotland, we had received an email from him on Vicky’s phone. It was short, almost clinical, delivering the news that Melissa was recovering. I had felt a rush of relief at the thought of her waking up, but something about Matt’s tone unsettled me. It was devoid of his usual warmth and affection. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

I had confronted Damian about it that night, needing to voice my unease. “When I said Matt was just a friend, I meant it.” I watched as he lowered his eyebrows.

“You won’t harm Matt because of your stupid jealousy.” The statement came out of me as a question when he remained silent.

“Believe it or not, I’m not a psychopath who hurts people for fun.” He met my gaze coolly. “I only do it when they deserve it.” He was pissed. It was clear but he kept his tone even. “I never bothered with him because he wasn’t worth my time. But bringing him up now is only making things worse for him.”

That made me shut up. I swallowed hard. I trusted Damian; he was always blunt and upfront. If he’d done anything, he would’ve owned it completely. So if he wasn’t behind Matt’s sudden change in tone, who was?

Matt had stopped emailing entirely after that single, cold message, leaving us worried.

“Contact the community center.”

Vicky nods, rising from the seat, phone already in hand. I watch her as she converses with someone on the other end.

After a few minutes, she hangs up, a glimmer of hope returning to her expression. “It was Laura.”

“Firstly, she asked me to convey her gratitude for the generous donation Mr. Montgomery made.”

My eyes widen in surprise. “I didn’t know.” The revelation fills me with warmth. He always did good without seeking recognition. I can’t help but admire that about him—the way he gives without hesitation, making the world a better place in his own subtle way.

“When I asked about Matt, Laura said he went to London a month ago.”

Concern knots my stomach once more. “Oh. I hope he is okay.”

“I’m sure he is. I requested his London office number since his personal one isn’t working. She promised she’d send it to me by the end of the day,” Vicky says, and I nod.

My phone buzzes with an incoming call, and I leap to my feet. “It’s Summer!” I announce, a grin lighting up my face as I dash toward the library.

“Well, well, Ms. Supermodel! Seems like you’ve finally got some time for me.”

Her answering laugh bursts through the phone, melting my heart. Summer, my sweet, hyperactive, ever the sunshine Summer, has finally arrived. The past two months have been a turning point for both of us.

While Damian and I have been enjoying this new phase of our marriage, Summer has been soaring high in her career.

Just thinking about her being scouted by Hannah Cooper, one of the Creative Directors of one of the biggest advertising agencies in Los Angeles, fills me with pride.

She’s become a rising star in the modeling world, and she deserves every bit of the success that’s come her way. I remember the day she sent me a picture of her face shining brightly on a gigantic LED screen in the KIM Advertising building. My heart swelled with joy for her—she’s worked so hard, and now she’s finally getting the recognition she deserves.

“Guess what?” she bursts out, her excitement palpable through the phone.

“What?”

“I’m getting married!”

“ What? ” I gasp. Summer laughs, a bright, joyful sound that can lift anyone’s mood.

“I wanted to tell you about us, but things were so hectic, and we couldn’t talk much because of the time difference!”

“Yes…” I reply, a wave of regret washing over me. I wish I had been there to experience all her incredible moments with her. “So, who’s the lucky guy that has captured my best friend’s heart?”

“You’d never guess,” she giggles, and a smile spreads across my face.

“Don’t keep me waiting! Come on, tell me!”

“You know the apartment you let me stay—”

“Rented you mean.” I cut her off. She always makes it like I did her a huge favor when that’s not the case.

“Yes, rented!”

I can picture her rolling her eyes.

“What about it? Does it need any repair—”

“No! Everything is fine.”

“Then what is it?”

“Remember the grumpy neighbor?”

“Yeah, that reclusive guy who stood up for you against my husband? Is he still giving you a hard time about the loud music again? If he is, just let me know. I can handle it—”

Her laugh rings out, cutting me off. “Actually, that’s the guy.”

“I don’t follow…”

“River! He’s the one I’m marrying!”

“What?” I shout, shock coursing through me. “You’re marrying your ruthless neighbor?” My jaw drops in disbelief. “But you always complained about him! I thought you hated him!”

“I thought I hated him too,” she admits softly.

“Does he love you?” I ask seriously.

“Yes.” she breathes, and a smile unfurls across my face.

“And you obviously love him,” I tease, and she laughs again.

“Obviously! Even Goldie loves Archer.”

“Congratulations. I’m so incredibly happy for you, Summer.”

“Words aren’t enough. You’re coming to my engagement party this weekend.” Before I can say anything, she adds, “But wait, can you make it? I totally forgot about your husband. Is he going to cause any trouble?”

“No, he won’t.” I answer with confidence.

“Are you sure? Because I wouldn’t hesitate to go toe-to-toe with him if he tries anything. He was lucky I was drunk that night and couldn’t see his face because of those ridiculous party goggles. Otherwise, I would have haunted him like a vengeful spirit until he finally came to his senses and treated you right.”

I can’t help but laugh at the image she paints. “Don’t worry, he’s a changed man now.” I assure her. “But if he steps out of line, I might just let you haunt him after all!”

“Does that mean you’re coming?” she asks, her voice full of hope.

“Yes.” I smile even though she can’t see it.

Then suddenly, her tone turns serious. “Are you doing okay, though? We haven’t spoken much in the last few months, and I want to make sure everything’s okay there. Do you need any help, River?”

I love her. Seriously. She is a true friend. I love how she respects my boundaries but still checks in on me. One day, I’ll tell her everything about me and my marriage. “I’m happy, Summer. After a really long time.”

There’s a brief pause before she exhales audibly. “You have no idea how relieved I am to hear this.”

“Can I… bring my husband with me?” I have to ask this because the last time Archer and Damian were together, they were at each other’s throat.

“You can,” she says with a hint of amusement. “Just hope he behaves this time. Archer’s been extra grumpy and fiercely protective of me.”

“You have to admit it would be fun to watch them duel.” I say, surprising her.

“Ohmygod, yes! That would be priceless!”

After a few more minutes of chatting, we wrap things up, and I rush to find Vicky, eager to share the news. When I tell her, her eyes sparkle with delight.

“Come on, let’s go!” I urge, striding confidently toward the door. “We’re going for a drive.”

“Where to?” she asks, hurrying to keep up with me.

“I’m going to do something I always wanted to do.”

“And what’s that?”

“Surprise my husband at work!”