Page 118 of Abundance of Obsession

And yet I can’t bring myself to say it out loud.

My heart’s breaking with every passing second. Doubt creeps into my mind, and the wounds from my childhood resurface. What if…

You screwed it up, Eli!

And this time, you have no one to blame but yourself.

Chapter 29

Zoe

“You look beautiful, Lily. This is going to be an unforgettable evening.”

Damien opens our date with these words. I should have known that it wouldn’t bode well.

Ever since we got back from Ryker’s yesterday, I haven’t been able to shake this bad feeling.

My rejection of Eli’s proposal didn’t make him leave me. No, but you could sense a certain rift between us, a distance. He was silent, lost in thought. Right there, but not with me.

And I don’t know how to fix it.

I don’t want to lose him either. I love him. But more than that, I don’t want him to wake up one day in a marriage and think he made a mistake.

After a night when neither of us could sleep, Eli left for work in the morning. This time, Ryker confirmed that the transmitters were working, though Eli had always been the one to keep me secure. It makes sense that he needs time. I just hope this situation doesn’t drive us apart for good.

“You seem distant today,” Damien says as we drive. “Did something happen?”

My smile’s all fake. “No, not at all. What’s this surprise you mentioned?”

“Ah, I’m taking you to a special place. I hope you like it. How was your week?”

Shitty, that’s how. Out loud, I say, “Work and more work.”

Damien laughs. It’s not exactly a joke. “Just like mine. I think we should take a few days off and go somewhere fun and warm. What do you say?”

“Sounds great,” I lie, fighting the urge to gag. “As soon as I get my things together. How’s work going for you?”

“Vast changes are coming. It’s exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. There are also a few things I need to get out of the way.” He nods.

“That sounds mysterious.” I giggle and bat my eyelashes.

“You’ll understand everything soon; it’s going to be all over the news.”

Damien’s a master of verbal manipulation. He always has been. The ambiguity of what he says is his everyday language.

Finally, we arrive at the coast and get out. “A yacht marina?”

“Yes. Today’s an important day. I wanted it to be nice and romantic.”

My gaze stops on his face but sees nothing unusual in it. He’s trying to be charming, as usual.

Why do I have these strange feelings inside? Is it because of Eli? Yesterday’s warning?

I’m about to ask Damien what makes today such an important day when one of his men in suits approaches and says everything is ready.

“Perfect,” he praises, taking my hand.

We walk past the moored boats, each one more beautiful than the next. Everything screams money. Luxury that entices the wealthiest.