My Convicted Wife is My Mate (Bella and Kane) novel Chapter 22

chapter 19-2
Bravo, Mom.

I covered my mouth with my hand. I gasped, pretending to be surprised. “Oh, Father! What if they come after us? What if her criminal friends want revenge? Our family’s name can’t survive another scandal!”

I gasped dramatically. “I’ve heard that both Directors were replaced on my set! What if this all comes back to haunt us? Father, you were so respected before Bella killed Alpha Monroe’s daughter. She’s already dishonored us once!”

My father’s frown deepened. His hand slammed down on the kitchen table with a loud crack. The plates rattled.

“If she dares to implicate this family again,” he growled, “I’ll break her legs myself.”

The sound of his voice made my skin crawl, but I stayed quiet.

Inside, though, I smiled.

Because if Bella really did have someone powerful backing her… then maybe I’d just found my next angle.

I had spent all morning staring at myself in the mirror, rehearsing what I’d say to Damien. My reflection looked perfect—hair curled, makeup flawless, lips painted the deep shade of red he used to like.

I needed his help. My career was circling the drain, directors had stopped calling, and the only thing keeping me relevant was gossip—ugly, humiliating gossip. But Damien could fix that. One word from him, one call, and I’d be back on top.

So, I went to him.

When I stepped into his office, the air felt different. It felt a bit… heavy. He was sitting behind his desk, shirt sleeves rolled up, going through some documents.

“Damien,” I said softly, forcing a small smile.

He didn’t even look up at first.

“What do you want, Kathy?” His voice was flat, bored, like I was a noise interrupting his peace.

I swallowed the sting.

“I just came to talk,” I said, stepping closer. “It’s been a while. I missed you.”

“Is it about the baby?”

Of course, he thought I was pregnant.

I smiled. “Not really.”

Now he looked up. “Cut to the point.”

I tried to laugh it off. “You always were impatient.” I moved around the desk slowly, leaning against the edge near him. “You remember when you said you’d always take care of me? I need your help with something. My acting career—it’s struggling, and—”

He cut me off. “And you thought you’d come here, bat your lashes, and I’d fix everything?”

I ignored his tone and bent down slightly so he could catch the faint scent of my perfume. “Maybe I thought you still cared. Maybe I thought you’d want to help me, because… we had something.”

His jaw clenched. “We didn’t have anything. We used each other, Kathy. Don’t twist it into a love story.”

I forced a laugh. “Maybe I’m twisting it, but it’s what we both needed back then, wasn’t it?” I put my hand on his shoulder, but he shrugged me off immediately.

“Don’t,” he said coldly. “Not today. If the baby is fine, then what do you want?”

Something inside me snapped. “What’s your problem? You’re acting like I’m dirt beneath your shoes. All I’m asking for is a favor!”

He stood up. Immediately, his height made me feel small. “You think this is about favors? You think you can just crawl back into my life because you’re desperate?”

I took a step back but forced myself to stay strong. “I’m not desperate. I’m smart enough to know who can help me, that’s all.”

His eyes darkened. “You’re not smart, Kathy. You’re manipulative. That’s all you’ve ever been.”

I felt my throat tighten. “You used to like that about me.”

“I used to tolerate it.”

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