Not Just a Phase in My Life

When we got home, I played the attentive partner and cooked Elise some pasta. She'd barely eaten over the past few days, and I needed to buck up on my "lifestyle services" now that my allowance had come through.

A simple dish of spaghetti and meatballs made its grand entrance.

Elise shot me a cool look. "I just gave you five million dollars, and this is what you're feeding me?"

"The gourmet stuff will come later," I said with a smile.

She didn't say anything more and lowered her head to eat. Before long, she polished off her whole serving.

I watched her, thinking that the heartbreak she'd suffered these last few days must've really worn her out. It honestly made my heart ache, too.

…

The following night, the banquet kicked off right on time.

I arrived with Elise. That night's event was a Shore Group business reception, so it was a fairly high-end occasion. As Shore Group's heiress, Elise had barely stepped in before a gaggle of socialites gathered around her.

I wasn't into business networking, and I happened to spot a few of my close friends nearby. I headed over to them and picked up a glass of wine, taking a couple of sips.

"See that? That's Damian Quill."

I looked in the direction they'd pointed to see Damian in a sharp, tailored suit. He looked the part of a perfect gentleman… on the surface, at least.

"The jerk's making a beeline for your wife," someone said.

I looked closer. Sure enough, Damian had sidled up to Elise. They exchanged a few words before she followed him off to the side.

"What's that punk dragging your wife off to do?"

"Go and check on them!"

"Relax, guys. Elise knows where to draw the line," I said.

At my words, they silently gave me thumbs-ups again.

I laughed awkwardly. Well, I'd just gotten my five-million-dollar allowance. It really wouldn't be right to meddle in Elise's private life, would it?

"Elliot, you're seriously magnanimous," someone said.

I suddenly clutched my stomach. "Sorry, my stomach's acting up. I need the restroom."

I set down my glass and headed in the direction where Elise and Damian had gone. When I found them, I saw them standing in a hallway off the banquet hall. It was empty, save for the two of them.

"Elise, you know my family forced me into the engagement. You're the only one I love. Do you know how much it hurt to see you walk in with Elliot tonight? I can't stand seeing you with anyone else. You and I are the ones meant for each other," Damian said.

He reached out to grab Elise's hand, but she stepped back. "I'm not interested in hearing this. Show some respect."

"Elise, don't you get how I feel for you? You may not have a lighter, but you've always set my heart ablaze…"

I winced at that. Good grief. He was disgusting! How could someone say something so cringeworthy with a straight face?

"Damian, you're revolting." Elise turned to leave after saying that.

However, Damian grabbed her hand. "Elliot doesn't deserve you. He isn't even worthy of breathing the same air as you! I can call off my engagement for you. As long as you divorce him, I—"

I could ignore everything else, but there was no way I could stomach him trying to cut off my financial lifeline. I rushed forward and shoved Damian away, quickly putting myself between him and Elise.

Unexpectedly, he staggered backward, lost his footing, and fell to the floor with a pained howl. "Elise, my hand! My hand hurts so bad…"

I started, "Keep pretending, you—"

Before I could finish, Elise pushed me aside. There was a hint of anger in her eyes as she looked at me. Was she mad at me for hurting her childhood sweetheart?

It seemed Damian was the one she loved, after all. I sighed inwardly.

She turned her attention to Damian and hurried toward him.

His face lit up. "Elise, I knew you loved me. You feel nothing for Elliot! Come with me, alright? I'll take good care of you."

He turned to me then, saying, "Do you see this, Elliot? This is true love! Do you even know what that is? Elise and I are the real deal. People like you don't deserve what we have!"

As Damian gloated, Elise arrived before him. He held out a hand, expecting her to pull him up.

However, all she did was raise a foot—clad in four-inch heels—and stomped on his face.

I was absolutely stunned by this sight.