OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! My head is buzzing and my thoughts are whirling round and round. How could I have done what I just did? I mentally call myself all kinds of names. I shouldn’t have gone with him anywhere alone. I wasn’t thinking at all. But the truth is that just the thought of being so close to him after months, knowing that he was attracted to me, that he wanted me, was enough for me to follow where he led.

My face enflames as I remember all the things he did to me. He was different. So dominating, so controlling and I enjoyed it so much. It was never like that between us ever. We were always equal partners in the bedroom and outside of it. But seeing this side of him turned me on. I just don’t recognize him anymore. How can the same man have two different personalities?

I press my palms on my heated cheeks, staring into the distance as Gabriel sits silently by my side in the car. I turn to him and he’s watching me.

After a long awkward moment, he says, “He is your husband, Aaliya. So, whatever happened...” I glare at him willing him to stop what he is going to say, but he’s unfazed. “...or didn’t happen, it’s alright.”

I let loose a ragged breath. “How can I pretend around him? Pretend that it doesn’t hurt when he fails to recognize me. That when he touches me it’s not me, the woman he loves; he thinks he’s touching but an absolute stranger. It just hurts so much. All of it.”

Gabe pats my arm. “I do understand all of this. But you need to be patient. Make him fall in love with you again. Then tell him everything. I’m sure it’ll work out.”

I nibble on my lower lip, pondering on Gabe’s words. I know what is at stake. I know that Damien’s life is in danger. Yet how can I not tell him about Rian and me? Damien is already attracted to me. What if I tell him and he remembers me? But what if he doesn’t? Should I wait and make him fall for me first? My mind goes in circles as I weigh the pros and cons of the decision I know I have to make.

Damien

MY FATHER USED THE building space on top of the flagship Annette & Co. store on Bond Street as his headquarters. The first time I sat here at his desk after my accident, I kept looking over my shoulder as if my father’s spirit was watching me...laying judgment on me.