Chapter 58: Jealousy Sparks

Chapter 58: Jealousy Sparks
Damien’s POV

Work has always been my refuge for the past few days.

When I bury myself into calculating numbers, signing deals and stocks, I just forget almost every single ness in my personal life.

The morning sun shone through the glass walls of my office, its golden light illuminated my desk.

I sat behind it, tapping the pen in my hand against my notepad as my assistant started taking me through the latest projections and achievements.

“Our Shanghai expansion is on track, sir. Our investors are happy. The merger proposal has been accepted by—”

“Good,” I cut him off, not interested in all those long talks. “Email me the details.”

He nodded and walked out of the office while bowing.

The silence that followed was so damn heavy but it was comforting as well.
I lean back in my chair and closed my eyes, and inhale deeply.

This… this world of power,money and multi-billion-dollar deals, is all mine.

No one can touch me here.

No one can take it away.

Not even her.

I shake my head, annoyed at myself for letting Anneliese’s shadow creep into my thoughts again.

She is gone for weeks.

Out of my house.
Out of my name.
Out of my life.

That divorce paper signified the end.
Or at least, it should have been.

My phone vibrated on the desk. I reached for it without interest—until I saw what it was.
A notification from social media. I don’t use it often, but I know the name flashing across the screen.

Anneliese Rowan.

I stare at the preview.

It’s a picture of her, at a park, the sunlight catching her brown hair, her smile so wide and genuine.
And beside her stood that man. 

Caleb, my old driver.

His hand was brushing hers as they laughed, they were both surrounded by a group of children.

The caption of the post said:

A day full of laughter and sounds of beautiful giggles. Thank you, Caleb, for being such a sweet friend.🌸✨ #grateful #joy #simplemoments”

My chest tightened immediately.
I tell myself it’s nothing. 

She’s free. 

She can smile with whoever she wants, i told myself but I found my hand curling into a fist on the desk before I can stop it.

I zoom in on the photo. The way she looked at him with those soft eyes and her mouth curved in a way she never once did for me….that open-hearted smile.

The comments on the post sting me in my chest even more.

“You two look so cute together!”

“I bet the billionaire is regretting what he lost.”

“Finally, Anneliese is glowing.”

“You look better than when you were with Maddox.”

“Couple goals ❤️”

Couple?

The word slices something ugly open inside me.

I throw the phone on the desk with the  kind of force that could break it.

The thud from the throw echoes across the room.

My pulse became unsteady, and my jaws clenched on their own.

Why the hell do I care?

She means nothing now.
You're bigger than this, Damien Maddox.

I stand abruptly, walking to the window that overlooks the city.

I chose my office to be  in the 42nd floor where I have been able to view people from here like little ants running around.

I’ve built myself into someone untouchable, someone powerful and so strong.

I don’t lose… not in business… not in life.

So why does it feel like I’m losing her to someone else?

“Sir?” My assistant peeks in nervously, probably sensing the storm on my face.

“Clear my evening schedule,” I snap. “Tell Mr. Sato we’ll move dinner to next week.”

“Yes, sir.” He vanishes quickly.

I grab my jacket and head out of the company.

I need a distraction.

I need something or someone to drown out these poisonous thoughts of her laughing with another man.

By evening, I’m sitting at the front of Belinda at one of the city’s most 
expensive restaurants. 

She looks stunning, as always, she was claded in a red silk dress that clings to her in all the right places and shows off her curves.

Her eyes sparkle as if they have little stars in them as she lifts her glass of wine.

You might be wondering why I chose no one else to use as a distraction than my ex-wife's best friend… I don’t know myself.

But I think I might make her my special bitch. She’s got all it takes, and the current bitch of mine is getting too shaggy.

“You’re awfully tense tonight,” she says, tilting her head. “Had a rough day at the office?”
I force a smile, swirling my own glass. “As usual. Deals. Deadlines. Numbers that never end.”

“Hmm.” She leaned forward with her chin resting on her hand, studying me like she knows I’m lying. “Or maybe it’s something else, like a person…”

Her words hit closer than I want them to.

I don’t reply. Instead, I take a sip of wine, letting the bitter taste stay on my tongue.

Belinda laughs softly. “Don’t worry, Damien. I’m not here to play therapist or tying to be nosy, I’m here to keep you company.”

She reached across the table and brushed her fingers against mine

A deliberate move. She’s beautiful, desirable, available. Yet all I see is the sake picture.

I close my eyes for a second, trying to push it away, but Anneliese’s laugh echoes in my head, even though it was only a picture, I could hear the laughter in my head.

“Damien,” Belinda’s voice is softer now, serious. “If you can't get gr off your mind maybe you should talk to her.”

My eyes snap open, and my words come out as sharp as knives. “She’s not on my mind.”

Belinda arches a brow but doesn’t argue. She just sips her wine again and lets the silence dominate.

The truth is, I don’t want to talk to Anneliese. I don’t even want to see her.

But the thought of her with Caleb, smiling, laughing, maybe falling for him—it burns in a way I can’t explain.

I tell myself it’s pride, and I think that's it. A man like me shouldn’t get replaced, especially not by some ordinary guy.

And yet, deep down, a colder, quieter voice whispers to me: You never made her smile like that. You never gave her a reason to glow.

Later that night, I return to my penthouse.

The city lights glitter outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, but inside, everywhere seemed empty 

Belinda had kissed me on the cheek before leaving, she was teasing me for being distracted.

I could have asked her to stay and come with me to fill the silence, but I didn’t. 

I just couldn’t.
I throw my jacket on the couch and loosen my tie.

My phone buzzes again—another notification which turned out to bevanother picture.
This time, Caleb is holding an ice cream cone, his face was smeared with chocolate, while Anneliese laughs so hard that she’s bent over, holding her stomach. 

The kids around them are giggling too, their faces were messy and carefree.
It’s not glamorous. It’s not expensive. 

It’s not the world I know, but it 
looks… real. And even though I hate to admit it, it looks beautiful.

My throat feels tight almost immediately.

I set the phone face down on the table, pressing my palms into my eyes.

“Damn it, Anneliese,” I mutter under my breath.

I thought cutting her off and  pushing her out, would be the end, but I guess it’s not.

Instead, it feels like she’s blooming somewhere else without me, and that is making me feel something I don’t like.

And for the first time in years, I realize money and power can’t buy the one thing clawing at me now.

Not love.
Not her smile.
Not the way she looks at him.

A sharp and ugly jealousy slowly coil inside me. 

Yes, I am beginning to admit things now, and I know I won’t be able to ignore it for long