Thankful that the media wasn't present, Noah's mind wandered to Jossy. How would she feel if she saw this?
Did Jossy know this side of him? Noah wondered. He did not understand what Damien was looking for in these women when he had a beautiful wife waiting at home.
As Damien's laughter rang through the room again, Noah's thoughts grew. He needed to know the real story of their marriage. Something did not add up. He had to understand the life Jossy was living and what her world really looked like behind the media lights and social masks. Yes, Damien's public charm was effortless, but Noah's instincts told him there was tension beneath the surface, a world of control, manipulation, and careful appearances that the media would never see.
***
That night, after the networking event, Damien wanted to do something fun, something that would take the edge off. He didn't want to go home because his wife had been obedient lately. She rarely questioned him, and either way, he was free to do as he pleased. Jossy knew him well enough to understand that. That's why he left the event surrounded by a group of models, laughing and joking, slipping easily into the world he wanted no one to see.
His assistant made the arrangements. He quietly slipped to one of the Rothwell side business hotels without anyone noticing, That way, no one would ever know how he spent the night or with whom.
***
On the other side of town, Jossy waited in the quiet apartment. She had baked a chocolate chip cake earlier, Damien's favorite, but it now sat uneaten on the counter. Slowly, she cut herself a slice and retreated to the bedroom, turning off the lights except for the soft glow of the TV. A movie played quietly in the background,although she couldn't tell which movie it was.
She took a bite of the cake, letting the warm chocolate melt on her tongue. Damien would probably be home soon, she thought. Or maybe his meetings had run late, or maybe.. no, she pushed the thought away. Part of her wanted to call, to check, but she knew better. Damien wouldn't appreciate it; he didn't like being interrupted or questioned.
As she chewed slowly, a faint unease settled over her. Did he let someone else take him into the night while she waited alone? She didn't know, and the uncertainty stung, even if she refused to admit it. As the night stretched on, she didn't allow herself to worry too much. She told herself he was probably on his way, or that his work had run late. But deep down, she couldn't shake the suspicion.