I swallowed hard, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. “I’m married, Mythic. Please.”
He seemed to deflate slightly, his shoulders slumping as he took a step back. “That’s your answer?”
“Yes,” I whispered.
He opened his mouth to argue, but thankfully his phone chimed with a notification. After unlocking it, his gaze focused on it as if he were reading something. Then his face painted with frustration. “Damar left the club. They couldn’t hold the doors any longer.”
“Shit,” I breathed.
“So, that’s it?” he pressed.
His need made me wince. “Mythic,please.”
“Ah ight. Bet. I’ll let it go. Only because I love you.”
The finality in his tone cut through me as he turned away, making my eyes water.
As Mythic dressed quietly in the dim light, I lay there, unable to bring myself to look at him. The sound of his movements, the rustle of fabric, and the occasional clink of his belt buckle were the only indications of his presence. I had waited for this moment for years, and now that it had finally happened, I felt a deep, gnawing sense of guilt.
The pleasure I had just experienced was unlike anything I had known, but it left me feeling even more conflicted. I hated that Mythic made me question everything about my marriage.
When I heard the jingle of keys, my breath caught in my throat. I looked at Mythic regretfully. The sight of him took my breath away. He was a vision of raw, unrestrained beauty, and the tears began to flow at the sight of him. His gaze was filled with comfort and concern, but it only made me feel worse.
I turned away from him, my tears flowing freely as I began to weep. Through my sobs, I begged him, “Just go…please…just go.”
My voice was broken, and I felt like a fraud for the pleasure I had felt and the heartache I now faced. I just wanted to be alone with my turmoil, to figure out how I had let myself get here.
With my back turned to him, I heard Mythic’s heavy footsteps as he left the bedroom. I held my breath, my entire body tense with anticipation and dread. Each step seemed to echo the finality of our moment together, and I was overwhelmed by a deep sense of loss and regret.
The sound of the suite door opening and closing was both a relief and a fresh wound. As the door clicked shut behind him, I let out a ragged sob. My heart broke with the yearning for the man I truly loved. I clung to the bedding as my sobs grew louder.
DAMAR SCOTT
I pressed my foot harder on the accelerator, cutting through traffic like a madman. My grip on the steering wheel was so tight my knuckles ached. Streetlights blurred into streaks of color as I shot down city streets.
I’d gotten sloppy tonight. I had been so busy drinking with Richie that I hadn’t checked Avi’s old phone in hours. When I finally remembered to pull it out, standing by the door waiting for security to let me out of the club, my heart stopped.
Mythic had asked for our hotel room number, and she had given it to him.
I squeezed the wheel harder with my teeth clenched so tight it hurt. At first, I’d brushed off Mia’s slick comments about Aviana having feelings for Mythic. I figured she was just playing games, trying to get under my skin and into my bed. But then Mia had played those damn recordings between her and Aviana that shattered my ego. Hearing Aviana’s own voice confess her feelings for another man stung so badly that I slept with Mia, taking revenge in the pettiest way possible.
But no matter how badly Aviana hurt me, I wasn’t letting Mythic have her…ever.
That’s why I’d been pushing so hard to get her pregnant. Avi had the kind of values that made it almost impossible for her to leave her marriage. So, if we had kids, she’d definitely be trapped forever, no matter how badly her heart longed for someone else.
I knew they hadn’t crossed that line yet. I’d pored through every message on that old phone obsessively. They never mentioned anything beyond friendship. Her feelings for him were obviously something she just told Mia about, but that almost made it worse.
Mythic had real money and power. He could buy Aviana the life she dreamed of and deserved—a life better than the one I could give her. That was something I couldn’t stomach.
The thought of Aviana moving on and having a better life made me physically sick. I’d built my entire sense of worth on possessing her. She wasn’t just my wife; she was my trophy and my greatest achievement. Losing her wasn’t about love anymore, it was about pride and control.
No matter what it took, no matter who had to get hurt, Aviana was mine. She belonged to me. I knew it was sick, but Aviana wasn’t something I could just let go of. Losing her to Mythic wasn’t even an option. I’d rather burn the whole world down first. I’d killed to keep her, and if necessary, I’d do it again without hesitation.
THREE DAYS AGO
CHAPTER 9
DAMAR SCOTT
