Chapter 8

Vivi's hands trembled as she fumbled with the buttons of her dress, her mind racing with the weight of what they'd just done. She couldn't bring herself to look at Damien, afraid of what she might see reflected in his eyes.

"You need to leave," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Damien watched her, his brow furrowed. He took a step towards her, but she flinched away.

"Vivi, how do you feel about this?" he asked, his tone low and urgent.

She shook her head, refusing to meet his gaze. "Nothing. I feel nothing."

The lie tasted bitter on her tongue, but she forced herself to swallow it. She couldn't afford to feel, not now, not ever.

Damien's jaw clenched, but he said nothing as he gathered his clothes. The rustle of fabric filled the tense silence between them. As he buttoned his shirt, his eyes never left her face, searching for a crack in her carefully constructed facade.

Just as Vivi thought he might leave without another word, Damien's voice cut through the air, sharp and tinged with something that sounded almost like triumph.

"You know he can never satisfy you now," he said, his words hanging heavy in the air between them. "Not after what we just did. Not after me."

Vivi's head snapped up, her eyes finally meeting his. She saw the challenge there, the arrogance, and something else she couldn't quite name. Her heart raced, but she kept her face impassive.

"Get out," she hissed, her voice low and dangerous.

Damien held her gaze for a moment longer before turning on his heel and striding out of the room. The door closed behind him with a soft click, leaving Vivi alone with the echoes of his words and the lingering scent of their passion.

Vivi sank onto the edge of the bed, her legs weak and her mind reeling. The weight of her actions pressed down on her, threatening to suffocate her. She buried her face in her hands, trying to block out the world and the consequences of her choices.

What had she done? How could she have let this happen? The questions swirled in her mind, each one more accusing than the last. She was married now, for better or worse. This affair with Damien - it couldn't continue. It would destroy everything she'd sacrificed for, everything her family needed.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to think rationally. There was only one way forward. She had to end this, decisively and permanently. No matter how much it hurt, no matter how much she might long for Damien's touch, she had to be strong.

Vivi stood up, smoothing down her dress with trembling hands. She walked to the mirror, staring at her reflection. The woman who looked back at her seemed different somehow - older, sadder, but also more determined.

"You can do this," she whispered to herself. "You have to."

She would talk to Damien. She would make it clear that what happened between them was a mistake, a moment of weakness that could never be repeated. She would tell him to forget everything and treat her as his stepmother. It was the only way.

Vivi took another deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation to come. She knew it wouldn't be easy. Damien's parting words echoed in her mind, full of arrogance and challenge. But she had to be stronger than that. She had to be stronger than him.

The next morning, Vivi stood in the kitchen, her mind preoccupied as she stirred a pot on the stove. The aroma of spices filled the air, but she barely noticed, lost in thought about the conversation she needed to have with Damien.

Suddenly, strong arms encircled her waist from behind. Vivi gasped, her body tensing at the unexpected touch. She knew instantly it was Damien - his scent, the feel of his body against hers, it was all achingly familiar. Despite herself, she felt her lips part, teeth grazing her lower lip as desire coursed through her.

No, she thought firmly. This ends now.

Steeling herself, Vivi turned to face him. Damien's eyes were dark with want, his hands still resting on her hips. She took a deep breath, ready to deliver the speech she'd rehearsed all night.

"Damien, we need to talk," she began, her voice steadier than she felt. "What happened between us... it can't happen again. You need to forget everything and treat me as your stepmother from now on. It's the only way."

Damien's expression shifted, becoming unreadable. For a moment, Vivi thought he might argue. Instead, he nodded slowly.

"Okay," he said, his tone neutral. "If that's what you want."

Vivi felt a mix of relief and disappointment wash over her. She hadn't expected him to agree so easily. But before she could respond, Damien continued.

"But you know, my father won't be back for two days," he murmured, leaning in closer. His breath tickled her ear as he spoke. "We could have a lot of fun in that time."

Vivi's resolve wavered. The temptation in his words was palpable, stirring something deep within her. She knew she should push him away, stick to her decision. But the heat of his body, the promise in his eyes - it was all so hard to resist.

Vivi's heart raced as she considered Damien's proposition. The logical part of her brain screamed at her to refuse, to stick to her plan and maintain boundaries. But another part of her, the part that craved excitement and passion, whispered seductively about the possibilities those two days could hold.

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. When she opened them again, she'd made her decision.

"Two days," Vivi said, her voice barely above a whisper. "We have two days, and then this ends. After that, I'm your stepmother, nothing more. Understood?"

Damien's eyes lit up, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Crystal clear," he murmured, his hands tightening on her hips.

Vivi placed a hand on his chest, keeping him at arm's length for a moment. "I mean it, Damien. When your father returns, this - whatever this is between us - it's over. We go back to being strangers who happen to live in the same house."

He nodded, his expression growing serious. "I get it, Vivi. Two days of fun, and then we're done. No strings attached."

She searched his face, looking for any sign of deception or hidden agenda. Finding none, she allowed herself to relax slightly. "Alright then," she said, her voice steadier now. "Two days it is."

As soon as the words left her mouth, Damien pulled her close, his lips crashing against hers. Vivi melted into the kiss, all thoughts of propriety and boundaries vanishing in an instant. For better or worse, she'd made her choice. She'd deal with the consequences later.