Iris’s POV
Damian was unusually chatty in the car that morning, it just made me tired, having to keep track of every word for what it might really mean underneath.
He drummed his fingers against the wheel, and I could feel him working up to something.
“How’s your mom doing, by the way?
You went to see her this weekend, right?”
”She’s fine.
Rita’s been taking good care of her.” I paused.
“She asked about you, actually.”
”Yeah?” Something in his tone brightened, hopeful in a way that almost made me feel guilty for the lie.
Almost.
“That’s nice to hear.”
We drove in silence now, though for a little while until Damian continued again.
“Can I ask you something?”
There it was.
I just nodded.
“Sure.”
”Have people been saying things to you?
At work, I mean.
About me.” He kept his eyes seriously fixed on the road.
“Rumors, gossip, whatever.”
I turned to face him slowly, letting a small line form between my brows, just enough confusion to look genuine.
“About you?
Like what?”
”I don’t know.
Just—” He exhaled, “You know how people talk.
Especially about me and Julian, since we work so closely together.
People love reading into things that aren’t there.”
There it was.
“I mean, people always talk, Damian. That’s just how offices are.” I said slowly, trying to make my voice believable.
“I don’t really pay attention to it.” I tilted my head slightly, studying him.
“Why?
Is there something I should be paying attention to?”
”No.
God, no.” He said it too fast, laughing it off, though his knuckles had gone a little pale on the wheel.
“I just don’t want you thinking there’s something going on when there isn’t.
Julian’s my PA.
That’s it.”
”I know that.” I reached over and rested my hand over his on the gearshift, soft, reassuring, everything a devoted wife should be.
“I trust you, Damian. You wouldn’t do something so shameless. Especially not with your own assistant, right under everyone’s nose.” I pronounced my words very carefully. New chapters come out on novelping . com first.
“Right,” he said, almost fidgeting.
“Right, of course. Exactly!”
We pulled into the office parking lot a few minutes later, and Damian seemed to have already shaken off the conversation entirely, checking his reflection briefly in the mirror and smoothing his tie.
He was back to his usual composed self.
We got out of the car and walked into the building.
I could feel all eyes on me, though they tried hard to pretend they weren’t staring.
“Wait,” I said, catching Damian’s sleeve.
Those eyes were glancing towards us intently this time.
The receptionist’s eyes were widened, heavily fixed on us.
Damian turned in surprised.
“What?”
I leaned forward without waiting for permission, adjusting the knot at his collar.
A small, fond smile spread on my face as I smoothed the fabric down over his chest.
“You always do this in a hurry and it ends up crooked all day.”
For a second, Damian just looked at me, something unreadable crossing his face.
“Thanks,” he said quietly.
“There.” I patted his chest once, stepping back, letting my smile linger exactly long enough.
“Much better.”
I didn’t have to turn around to know every eye in the lobby was on us.
I could feel it, the particular quality of silence that came from a room full of people trying very hard to look like they weren’t watching.
I kept my eyes forward, my expression pleasant as I waved at the receptionist.
“Good morning!” It was almost an effort to respond back, but he did.
Shortly after, his phone was in his hand, clearly about to express his shock on the group chat.
Mission accomplished.
“Just tell me the truth.” Julian’s voice was loud in the office.
“Did Iris do that to your face?” I was on my way to drop off a file on Damian’s desk when I heard voices through his half-closed office door.
“I told you, I fell.” Damian sounded tired, like this wasn’t the first time he’d repeated the excuse.
“I slipped getting out of the shower, Julian.
It’s not that deep.”
”Don’t lie to me.
I’m not blind, Damian.
Someone did that to you on purpose.”
”You’re being paranoid.
Does that even make any sense at all?
Why would Iris do this on purpose?”
”You disappear for days, and come back with your face torn up, and you expect me to just accept some story about falling in the shower?
You really think I’m soooo dumb, huh?”
”Keep your voice down—”
”Why?
Scared someone might hear the truth for once?”
Damian shouted, more shock than pain, shoving Julian back by the shoulders.
“What is wrong with you?”
”You’re a liar!” Julian’s voice had gone ragged, unraveling completely.
“That’s what’s wrong with me.
You’ve been acting all strange lately.
Are you breaking up with me, huh!
Is it because of your stupid wife?”
”Keep your voice down and stop saying nonsense!” Damian commanded.
Suddenly, I saw Julian snap.
One second he was standing there, trembling with fury.
The next, he threw himself forward at Damian.
“Julian—!” Damian was still saying, but it happened too quickly.
His fingers raked across Damian’s face, tearing open the wounds on his face.
I couldn’t keep my shocked expression to myself again and gasped softly with my hand pressed to my face so I would not make any noise.
Blood was on Damian’s face!
Before I could even blink, Damian’s hand shot out and struck Julian on the face.
My hands tightened on my mouth harder to clamp my mouth shut, completely shocked.
Julian was standing still now, still in disbelief, one hand caressing his cheeks.
Then his eyes lit up in anger.
A scream ripped from his throat.
“Ahhh!” Julian staggered backward, clutching his cheek as tears sprang to his eyes.
“You slapped me!” he shouted.
“How dare you slap me!”
Damian stared at him, chest rising and falling heavily, while the room dissolved into chaos around them.