♡ Chapter 1.4 ♡

Jade stood still, her hands curling into fists at her sides.

And then, he looked at Charlotte.

The coldness in his face melted, and before Jade could prepare herself, he walked straight past her.

Straight to Charlotte.

With effortless charm, he reached for her hand and brought it to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss on her knuckles.

Charlotte blushed like crazy.

Jade shattered into a million pieces.

She stood there, watching the man who once whispered love into her ears now showering it upon someone else—her best friend.

The air felt too thick, her heart too heavy. But she swallowed it all, forcing her face into a mask of indifference.

Finally, as if remembering she was there, Damien turned his head toward her. His gaze lingered for only a second before he gave a single, wordless nod.

Like she was just… someone he used to know.

Then, without another glance, he walked to the passenger side and opened the door—for Charlotte.

Jade didn't move.

Her feet were glued to the ground, her body stiff, her mind screaming at her to breathe.

But how could she?

How could she, when the man who once held her heart now belonged to someone else?

Chapter 7: Trapped in the Same Space

Damien didn't spare her another glance.

Without hesitation, he walked around the car and slid into the driver's seat, his movements smooth, controlled—just like they always were.

Jade stood frozen for a second, her heart pounding so loudly she could barely hear Charlotte calling her.

"Jade! What are you doing? Get in!"

She blinked, snapping out of her daze. Right.

With a forced smile, she nodded. "Yeah, coming!"

Her fingers trembled slightly as she reached for the car door and slipped into the backseat. The moment she shut the door, the air inside felt suffocating.

The scent of leather mixed with his cologne—a scent she knew too well. A scent that once made her weak, that once made her feel safe.

Now, it was just a painful reminder.

Charlotte was already chatting, completely unaware of the heavy silence between the two people sitting in the same car as her.

Jade kept her gaze out the window, pretending to admire the city lights. Pretending she wasn't suffocating in memories.

But then—their eyes met.

Through the rearview mirror.

For a brief moment, Damien's dark eyes locked onto hers. Unreadable. Cold. Just like before.

But he didn't look away.

Neither did she.

His gaze roamed over her face, taking her in. But there was no warmth, no hesitation. Just emptiness.

And Jade?

She hid everything.

Every emotion, every ache, every unsaid word—buried beneath a practiced mask of indifference.

Charlotte's voice filled the silence, but neither of them heard her.

Because, for that fleeting moment, it was just them.

Two people who once meant everything to each other.

Now, strangers sitting in the same car.

The silence in the car was thick, stretching like an invisible wall between them.

Jade kept her eyes fixed on the city lights flashing past the window, pretending. Pretending she didn't feel his presence so close. Pretending she wasn't affected by the way his scent still lingered in the air. Pretending that she didn't care.

But then, Charlotte broke the silence.

"Hey… Damien, come on! You and Jade used to be close friends. What's with the cold shoulder? No talking?"

Jade's whole body stiffened.

Damien's hands gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. For a second, she thought he wouldn't respond, that he would just ignore Charlotte's playful complaint.

But then, his voice filled the car—deep, smooth, unreadable.

"Hmm."

That was it.

Not a sentence, not even a full word. Just a sound.

Jade swallowed, her nails digging into her palms. What was she expecting? That he would turn around and pretend like they were long-lost friends? That he would smile and ask her how she had been? That he would acknowledge what happened?

No.

She knew him better than that. Damien wasn't the type to explain himself.

Thankfully, at that exact moment, her phone rang.

She grabbed it like a lifeline, her hands moving quickly as she pressed the answer button. "Hello?"

Her mother's warm voice filled the car. "Jade! You reached safely, right?"

Jade exhaled slowly, relief washing over her. "Yes, Mom, I did. I was just about to call you."

"Good, good. I was worried. How's Charlotte's family? Are they treating you well?"

Jade smiled faintly. "Of course. They've always been wonderful."

And just like that, the conversation shifted.

For the rest of the car ride, she kept the phone to her ear, talking about her work, her upcoming projects, and little things her mother always liked to ask about.

She didn't have to look up to know Damien was listening.

He was always good at listening.

But she also didn't care.

Because she had changed.

She wasn't just some naive girl who had been fooled by pretty words. She wasn't just someone's pawn anymore.

She was Jade Sinclair.

The founder of Crystal Fragrances, one of the fastest-growing perfume companies.

The girl who had spent years burying her pain in formulas and chemistry, turning her love for scents into an empire.

A new woman. A stronger woman.

And if Damien thought he could make her feel small again…

He was wrong.