Page 64 of Arrogant Heir

He huffs as if the very idea is beneath him. ‘I’m not jealous of Seb,’ he says. ‘Why would I be?’

My heart flutters like a lost bird as the track draws to a close and Damian lowers his arms and steps back. His statement is a cold dose of reality.

‘Please excuse me for a moment,’ he says. ‘Will you be alright?’

I nod and make my way back to the empty table and toss down some champagne. The last I see of him is his disappearing back through the crowds and out the ballroom door. He didn’t say where he’s going, but I guess he’s gone to the men’s room.

I sit there for what seems like ages, hoping he’ll return, tapping my foot to the heart-rending track, but after a while I conclude Damian’s not coming back and has ditched me. He must have met someone and got chatting.

Seb appears with an attractive blonde girl at his side. ‘Let me introduce you to Nathalie,’ he says. ‘I don’t think you two have met. Nathalie is my daughter’s nanny.’

We chat for a while, and I’m struck by how lovely and genuine Nathalie seems. I sense a connection between them and wonder if they’re involved beyond her working for him. Seems a bit odd his nanny is at the ball, but I’m beginning to see that nothing’s straightforward with the Rochester men. Perhaps she’s helping with the event. Sebastian asks where Damian is and frowns when I say he’s been gone a while and I don’t know. Ever the perfect gentleman, he asks whether I mind if they dance, and I say that I don’t.

The tension’s building inside me and I’m getting crosser by the minute. Why would Damian bring me as his date and then leave me sitting here like some Victorian wallflower at the ball? I’m really feeling like Cinderella now and am sorry for myself with a touch of imposter syndrome.

I stand to see if I can catch sight of him. There must be a reasonable explanation. Someone important has probably harpooned him, and I think perhaps he’ll be grateful if I rescue him. My eyes scan the packed room and eventually I see him in the corner at the bar, holding a drink. He’s standing close to a tall, svelte brunette and their heads touch as they talk. The conversation looks serious, but then again Damian so often looks serious, I can’t be certain.

My mood darkens and my heart shrivels as I watch them; a fiery anger permeates my chest. They don’t look like casual acquaintances and now I feel stupid sitting here waiting for him. He’s making a total fool of me.

Sebastian returns without Nathalie and follows my gaze.

‘Ah,’ he sighs in a melodramatic long-drawn-out style.

My heart’s thumping and I’m scared to ask what’s going on and who she is, but I have to know.

‘Who’s that with him?’ I ask, my voice tremulous, adrenalin flooding through every cell.

‘That’s Stephanie,’ Seb replies, his tone uncharacteristically cold. ‘Damian’s ex, who left him for his best friend. One of my best friends too, actually.’

I swallow and wish I was anywhere but here. I’m tired of being discarded by men and now I just want to leave.

Seb looks at me and pats my arm. ‘You okay?’

I do my best to conceal how shaken I am, but I think he sees right through me.

I gulp back the emotion clogging in my throat and tell Seb I’m going to go.

‘Where are you staying?’ he asks. ‘I’ve got an early one with my daughter, so I need to leave soon, too. Nathalie already went ahead. You can share my car and we can take you wherever you want to go.’

Looking over at the bar again, I see Damian and his ex are no longer there. I didn’t see where they went while I was talking to Seb. I can’t bear the idea of facing him if he comes back to make excuses for me not staying with him tonight, which is obviously the way things are going. After the wonderful afternoon we shared, I’m in danger of crying. I blame myself, but it doesn’t hurt any less and I’m desolate.

I accept Seb’s offer, grab my purse, and we slip away while the ballroom is still packed with smooching couples who want to be together at the end of the night.

Fuck Damian.He can have his ex if he wants her so much. He said he hasn’t seen her for years, but she turns up like that and he immediately forgets me. She must have decided she wants him back.

I’m raging but try to keep it together as I give Seb’s driver my Clapham address. I’m embarrassed enough without letting Seb see how much I’m hurting.

Luckily, I always leave a key in the coded key box. There’s no way I can go to Damian’s for the night now. He’s not there even if I wanted to. He’s with her and that’s where his heart’s been all along. I was just a distraction to fill the void left by the love of his life.

Back in my freezing deserted flat, I strip off my emerald-green dress—some revenge dress that turned out to be—and fall onto my cold bed, sobbing.

I wanted one passionate all-nighter with him, but even that’s too much commitment for him.

This is one contract I’m not renewing.

CHAPTER39

Damian