Chapter 3 The Return of the Ex

The morning light streamed through the windows of the breakfast nook as Nora sipped her coffee, scrolling through her tablet. Two months into their arrangement, and the public couldn't get enough of the Helios marriage. Their rescue moment at the gala had cemented their status as Osiria's most captivating couple.

"You're trending again," she called out as Damian entered, impeccably dressed in a charcoal suit.

He glanced over her shoulder at the screen. "So I see."

"The documentary ratings are breaking records." She showed him the analytics. "Apparently, people can't get enough of watching the cold-hearted media mogul and his redemption-arc wife."

Something that might have been amusement flickered across his face. "Is that how they see us?"

"According to this think piece, you've 'discovered your humanity through love,' and I've 'found acceptance after scandal.'" She couldn't help but laugh. "They've turned us into a fairy tale."

"As long as it satisfies the terms of the will." He poured himself coffee, then hesitated. "There's something you should know. Sophia Laurent is returning to Osiria today."

Nora stilled. Sophia Laurent—supermodel, heiress, and Damian's ex-girlfriend of three years. Their relationship had been splashed across magazines worldwide before their mysterious breakup six months ago.

"I see." She kept her voice neutral. "Should I be concerned?"

"No. It's been over for some time." He straightened his tie. "But the media will make something of it. Be prepared."

She nodded, ignoring the unexpected twist of discomfort in her stomach. "Just another performance, right?"

His eyes met hers, lingering a moment longer than necessary. "Right."

---

By afternoon, Nora understood Damian's warning. Her phone buzzed incessantly with notifications as #SophiaReturns trended across social media. Entertainment sites were already speculating about a "love triangle," complete with old photos of Damian and Sophia juxtaposed against recent ones of him with Nora.

"Charming," she muttered, tossing her phone aside as Miranda, Damian's PR director, entered the living room.

"We need to address this," Miranda said without preamble. "Sophia's given an exclusive interview hinting at 'unfinished business' with Damian."

"What does he want to do?"

"He wants you both at the Children's Hospital Foundation Gala tonight. Sophia will be there."

Nora sighed. "Of course she will."

Three hours later, Nora stood before her mirror, examining her reflection. The stylist had outdone himself—the emerald gown hugged her figure perfectly, its color making her eyes appear almost luminous. Her honey-blonde hair was swept into an elegant updo, accentuating the delicate diamond necklace at her throat—a "prop" from the Helios collection.

A knock at her door revealed Damian, his expression changing subtly as he took in her appearance.

"You look..." He paused, something shifting in his gaze. "Appropriate for the occasion."

"High praise," she replied dryly, though she couldn't ignore the flutter in her chest at the way his eyes had darkened.

The ride to the gala was silent, tension building with each mile. As they approached the venue, Damian finally spoke.

"Sophia can be... provocative. Don't let her get to you."

"I'm not some fragile flower, Damian. I survived being publicly exposed as a 'fake heiress.' I can handle your ex-girlfriend."

His hand unexpectedly covered hers. "I know you can."

The moment they stepped onto the red carpet, cameras exploded in flashes. Damian's arm around her waist felt different tonight—less performative, more protective.

Inside, the ballroom glittered with Osiria's elite. Nora felt eyes following her as Damian guided her through the crowd, his hand never leaving the small of her back.

"Damian." The voice was like silk over steel.

Sophia Laurent stood before them, resplendent in a crimson gown that seemed painted onto her willowy frame. Her dark eyes assessed Nora with cool dismissal before focusing entirely on Damian.

"It's been too long," she purred, leaning in to kiss his cheek, lingering just a moment too long.

"Sophia." His voice betrayed nothing. "You remember my wife, Nora."

"Of course." Sophia's smile didn't reach her eyes. "The former Belmont. How... interesting that you ended up here."

"Life takes unexpected turns," Nora replied evenly.

"Indeed. Though some turns are merely detours." Sophia's hand brushed Damian's arm. "We should catch up, darling. For old times' sake."

Before Damian could respond, they were interrupted by the event coordinator announcing dinner. As they moved toward their table, Sophia whispered something in Damian's ear that made his jaw tighten.

Throughout dinner, Nora endured Sophia's thinly veiled barbs and reminiscences of her time with Damian. The documentary crew captured every moment, no doubt delighted by the tension.

"Remember that weekend in Monaco?" Sophia asked, her voice carrying just enough for nearby tables to hear. "When you said no one would ever understand you the way I did?"

Damian's expression remained impassive. "That was a long time ago."

"Not so long." Sophia's gaze slid to Nora. "Tell me, how does it feel stepping into shoes that were never meant for you? First with the Belmonts, now with Damian?"

The table fell silent. Nora felt heat rising to her cheeks, aware of the cameras, the watching eyes, the narrative being crafted.

"Excuse me," she said quietly, rising from her seat. "I need some air."

She made her way to a secluded balcony, breathing deeply to calm herself. The cool night air was a relief after the suffocating tension inside.

"You shouldn't let her get to you." Lily Belmont's voice startled her. "That's what she wants."

Nora turned, surprised. "Since when do you care?"

Lily shrugged, joining her at the balcony rail. "I don't. But watching another woman try to take what's yours? That I understand."

"He's not mine. Not really."

Lily's eyebrow arched. "Are you sure about that? Because the way he looks at you..."

Before Nora could respond, the balcony doors opened again. Damian stood there, his expression unreadable.

"It's time for the auction," he said. "They're waiting for us."

As Nora moved to join him, Lily whispered, "Remember who you are now, not who they said you were."

The charity auction was the gala's centerpiece, with Damian scheduled to introduce the main item—a rare painting donated by the Helios Foundation. As he took the stage, Nora noticed Sophia positioning herself prominently in his line of sight, her intentions clear.

The room hushed as Damian began speaking, his commanding presence drawing all eyes. Halfway through his speech, he paused, his gaze finding Nora in the crowd.

"Tonight is about creating opportunities for those who deserve a chance," he continued, something shifting in his voice. "About recognizing worth beyond circumstances of birth or past mistakes."

His eyes never left hers as he extended his hand toward her. "Nora, would you join me?"

Surprised, she made her way to the stage, aware of the murmurs, of Sophia's narrowed eyes, of the cameras capturing every moment.

As she reached him, Damian took her hand in his, his grip firm and warm. "My wife has taught me something about resilience," he addressed the crowd, but his words felt meant for her alone. "About facing the world's judgment with grace."

He turned to her, and for a moment, the room seemed to disappear. "She is the strongest person I know."

Then, with deliberate intent, he raised their joined hands and pressed his lips to her knuckles. "And she—" his voice carried clearly across the silent room, his eyes locked with Sophia's for one pointed moment before returning to Nora "—is my wife. The only one who matters."

The room erupted in applause, cameras flashing frantically to capture what would become tomorrow's headline. Nora felt something shift between them—something real beneath the performance.

Later, as they left the gala, Sophia intercepted them at the exit.

"Impressive show," she said coldly. "But we both know what this marriage really is, Damian. When you're ready to stop playing house, call me."

Damian's arm tightened around Nora's waist. "Goodbye, Sophia."

In the car, the silence between them felt charged with unspoken questions. Finally, Nora spoke.

"You didn't have to do that."

"Do what?"

"Make such a public statement. The hand kiss. Calling me strong."

He studied her in the dim light. "Would you rather I hadn't?"

"I just... I don't know what was real and what was for show anymore."

His expression softened almost imperceptibly. "Does it matter?"

The question hung between them, unanswered, as the city lights blurred past the windows. Back at the mansion, he walked her to her wing, pausing at the threshold.

"For what it's worth," he said quietly, "Sophia was wrong. You're not stepping into someone else's shoes. You're creating your own path."

Before she could respond, he leaned in, his lips brushing her cheek in a gesture too gentle to be merely performative. "Goodnight, Nora."

As he walked away, Nora touched the spot where his lips had been, wondering when exactly the lines had begun to blur—and why the thought didn't frighten her as much as it should.