Chapter 44 Girl's Day
JASMINE
The doors slid open with a soft chime, and I stepped out, making my way through the long hallway that led into Darcy’s suite.
Her place was always immaculate—cream walls, glass surfaces, and expensive-looking furniture that screamed wealth and control. Everything about it felt deliberate, like nothing existed there by accident.
I crossed the living room quietly, still chewing on my chocolate, when voices reached my ears.
Low. Hushed. Serious.
I slowed my steps.
That was when I spotted them.
Ray, Richelle, and Damien were seated together on the side of Darcy’s couch, leaning toward one another like conspirators.
A thick stack of documents lay spread out on the glass coffee table between them. Damien held a file in his hands, his brows drawn together in concentration.
My curiosity immediately betrayed me.
I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. Truly, I didn’t. But something about the tension in the room made my feet slow and my body drift toward the cobalt blue pillar a few feet away from them.
I slipped behind it quietly, pressing my back against the cool surface and peeking just enough to see them without being seen.
“What’s the situation?” Damien asked, flipping through the pages in his hands.
His voice was calm, but there was something sharp beneath it. Focused. Dangerous.
“It’s going great, sir,” Richelle replied proudly, handing him another file. “Once every lawyer heard that he’d be going up against the most impressive team of attorneys in the city, they backed out. Especially when they realized it was head-on with the best of the best.”
She puffed her chest slightly and dusted off imaginary dirt from her shoulders like she had just won a medal.
“The court hearing is in a few days,” Ray chimed in, leaning forward. “And I can assure you that he won’t be able to pull himself together enough to even attend, talk less of hiring a replacement lawyer.”
He scoffed, a wide grin stretching across his face.
“His business is already suffering massive losses, and his investors are pulling out at a rapid rate. He’ll be too distracted to plan any moves.” Ray leaned back against the couch, crossing his arms behind his head. “We’ve got this in the bag.”
Damien opened his mouth to respond.
“Gr—”
But before he could finish his sentence, the sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway.
Darcy walked in.
I sighed quietly and stepped out from behind the pillar at once, pretending I had just arrived. I plastered a small, innocent smile onto my face, hoping I looked convincing enough.
“Did we miss something?” I asked casually, glancing around the room.
All three of them exchanged looks—quick, silent glances that spoke volumes.
“Of course not,” Ray said quickly, standing up. He walked over to us and wrapped Darcy in a hug before pecking her cheek. “It’s been a while, Wonder Woman. What have you been up to?”
He winked playfully at her.
Darcy laughed and pulled his nose lightly, making him whine dramatically. “Oh, hush you.”
She turned to me then, eyes softening. “You look so pretty, Jess.”
I blinked in surprise as everyone’s attention shifted to me.
Heat rushed to my cheeks instantly.
I glanced down at myself. I hadn’t put much effort into my appearance at all. I wore a simple blue fitted sundress and flat sandals—nothing special.
I had been too grumpy and too sore to care much about fashion today, so the compliment struck me harder than it should have.
“Thank you,” I muttered shyly.
“Of course she looks pretty, Darcy,” Richelle added, walking over and throwing an arm over my shoulder. “After all, she is Damien’s wife.”
She winked at me.
My face turned scarlet.
It wasn’t the teasing that made my stomach twist—it was the sudden realization.
Richelle knew.
Of course she did.
She was the lead attorney of the Empire. There was no way she wouldn’t know about something as huge as a marriage contract. I felt stupid for ever thinking she didn’t. She must have known long before I did.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Ray shift uncomfortably where he stood.
Slowly, the truth dawned on me.
He didn’t know.
Guilt washed over me like cold water.
Ray had been there for me through everything—through my fear, my confusion, my loneliness.
And I hadn’t told him something so important. Something that explained everything about my situation with Damien.
I looked away, suddenly unable to meet his gaze.
“You knew!” I whisper-yelled at Richelle, elbowing her in the ribs.
She hissed and pulled her arm away from my shoulder. “Of course I knew. I knew about the idea before you did, silly. Who do you think drafted the contract?”
She laughed awkwardly when she noticed my expression didn’t match her playful tone.
“Hey, look at the bright side,” she added. “You have nothing to lose. It’s a win-win situation.”
“You didn’t tell Ray?” I whispered, my voice tight.
“What? Oh shit,” she cursed, scratching the back of her head. “It was kind of an open secret, really. It’s not my fault he didn’t figure it out sooner.”
She lowered her voice. “Besides, you two don’t really do a good job hiding your… bonding sessions.”
My entire face went hot.
I groaned and covered my face with my palms. “Richelle…”
“Don’t worry,” she whispered into my ear with a snicker. “Your secret is safe with me… until I get bored of it.”
I glared at her through my fingers.
“Shall we, Jess?” Darcy’s voice cut through my embarrassment.
I dropped my hands and nodded quickly. “Yes. Please. Let’s go.”
We turned toward the elevator, and I followed her out of the room. My chest still felt tight, and my thoughts were tangled with guilt and unease.
Then suddenly—
A familiar hand closed around my wrist.
I stopped walking.
My heart jumped as I turned back and found Damien standing behind me, his grip firm but gentle.
“Tesoro,” he said quietly, his voice low. “I need you to please watch over my mother. She can get a little…”
He paused, pursing his lips as he searched for the right word.
I raised an eyebrow. “A little wild?”
His lips twitched. “Exactly.”
I smiled softly. “Don’t worry. She’ll be fine. I’ll take care of her.”
For a moment, our eyes met.
Something unspoken passed between us—something warm and heavy and confusing.
“Thank you,” he murmured.
I nodded and walked into the elevator with Darcy, feeling his gaze on my back the entire time.
As the doors slid shut, Darcy turned to me with a grin. “Now, tell me everything.”
I groaned. “Do we have to start already?”
“Yes,” she said simply. “Absolutely.”
The elevator descended, and I leaned back against the wall, exhaustion creeping into my bones.
Between my cramps, Richelle’s big mouth, and Damien’s lingering touch, my head felt like it was spinning.
Still… despite everything, a small smile tugged at my lips.
Today was supposed to be a girls’ day.
And I wasn’t going to let secrets, contracts, or aching ovaries ruin it.
Not today.