Chapter Ten: Secrets Uncovered

The morning sun filtered through the large windows of Damien's penthouse, golden rays spilling across Lia's side of the bed. She stirred, blinking away sleep, her hand instinctively reaching to the other side. Empty. Again.

She sat up slowly, the silk sheets pooling at her waist, and let out a sigh. Living like a real couple was supposed to make things easier. The glances they shared, the shared routines, the late-night meals, it had started to feel normal. Almost real. Yet Damien still disappeared before dawn, retreating into that guarded world he refused to share.

Gloria greeted her with a warm smile downstairs, placing a mug of coffee in front of her. "Mr. Cross left early again. Said he had urgent work at the firm."

Lia nodded, trying not to let disappointment show. "Thanks, Gloria."

She wandered around the living room, sipping the coffee. Something about the morning felt off. Damien had been quiet the night before, withdrawn even as he held her hand at the charity gala. She told herself it was nothing. But the itch at the back of her mind wouldn't let her rest.

After pacing for a while, she found herself in his office. He always kept it locked. But for some reason today, it wasn't.

The door creaked open.

She hesitated, then stepped in.

The scent of cedar and leather overwhelmed her. The room was masculin, minimalist yet sophisticated. Shelves lined with legal volumes, framed accolades on the wall, and a sleek black desk that practically screamed Damien Cross.

She didn't plan to snoop. She just wanted to feel closer to him.

But then she saw it.

A thin file half-slipped from a drawer, its tab marked Morgan, L. Her heart stopped.

Lia's hand trembled as she pulled it free. Her name. Her file.

Inside were photographs. Her old apartment, her mother's house, scanned copies of her school transcripts, medical bills, even a credit report.

Her chest tightened. Why would Damien need all this? Why was he tracking her life before the contract?

Then she saw the papers underneath. Not hers, his.

Bank statements, contracts signed under his name with aliases, sealed court documents, and one particularly damning file; Vanessa Hart v. Cross Holdings, Suppressed Settlement.

Lia's breath caught in her throat. Vanessa had sued him?

The office door opened suddenly.

Damien stood there, briefcase in hand, expression unreadable.

"What are you doing here?"

She turned, clutching the file like a lifeline. "You tell me. What is this? Why do you have a dossier on me? And what's this with Vanessa?"

Damien's jaw tensed. "You were never supposed to see that."

Her voice shook. "So it's true? You've been investigating me this entire time?"

"I had to know who I was dealing with before entering into this arrangement. It's standard."

"Standard?" She laughed bitterly. "You made me feel crazy for being cautious around you, and yet here you are, tracking my mother's prescriptions and past due bills."

He took a step forward. "Lia, calm down."

"Don't you dare tell me to calm down!" she snapped, eyes blazing. "You said this marriage was just business. But you never mentioned that I was just another case file to you."

He looked away, eyes cold and distant. "Because if I had, you would've run."

She felt like he'd slapped her. "So you do know me. Enough to know I wouldn't have stayed."

The silence between them stretched like a chasm.

"And what about Vanessa?" she asked, softer now, wounded. "Why was she suing you? Why hide it?"

He closed the distance slowly. "That's none of your concern."

Lia stared at him, stunned. "None of my...? Damien, I'm your wife. Even if it's on paper. You dragged me into your world, and now you won't even tell me what danger I might be in?"

His eyes darkened. "There is no danger. Not for you."

She shook her head, tears building behind her eyes. "You don't get it, do you? I'm not asking because I'm curious, i'm asking because I care. And clearly, that's one-sided."

He stood silent, walls going up brick by brick.

"Forget it," she whispered, brushing past him. "You don't want to let me in? Fine. But don't expect me to keep playing house like everything's okay."

He didn't stop her.

Back in her room, Lia sank onto the bed, still holding the file. The weight of everything crushed her chest.

Gloria knocked lightly on the door. "Miss Lia? Are you alright?"

Lia wiped her cheeks. "Yes, Gloria. Thank you. I just… need a moment."

When she was alone again, she stared at the ceiling, mind racing.

He had secrets. Big ones. And if she didn't find out what they were soon, she knew this entire arrangement, fake or not, was doomed to fall apart.

Meanwhile, Damien stood in the office, staring at the open drawer, jaw clenched so tight it hurt. He hadn't meant for her to see that. He'd wanted to explain on his own terms. But now everything was out.

And Lia wasn't just angry. She was hurt.

Which was far worse.

He picked up the file she'd left behind and ran a hand through his hair. A knock at the door snapped him back.

It was Ethan.

"I came to drop off the Langford contract," Ethan said, setting the folder down. He paused, glancing at Damien's expression. "You alright?"

Damien didn't answer immediately.

Ethan looked toward the discarded file. "She found it, didn't she?"

Damien gave a curt nod.

Ethan exhaled. "You should've told her the truth."

"And what? Scare her off?"

"No, Damien. She's not like Vanessa. Lia can handle the truth. What she can't handle is being lied to."

Damien's eyes darkened. "It's not that simple."

"You're right. It's not. But if you keep shutting her out, you'll lose her. And we both know she's not someone you want to lose."

Damien remained silent, the tension between who he was and who he was becoming gnawing at him.

Ethan placed a hand on his shoulder. "Figure it out. Before she walks for good."

The door clicked shut behind him.

Damien looked out the tall windows, city lights beginning to flicker to life in the distance. Somewhere in that vast skyline, Lia sat behind a door he may have already locked from the inside.

But if he truly wanted her in his world, he'd have to find the courage to open it, secrets and all.