Chapter 5 A Bold Decision

Mandy's POV

As I made my way into my apartment, the Damian's proposal lingered in my mind, refusing to leave no matter how hard I tried to push it away.

Marry me.

His words echoed over and over, bouncing off the walls of my apartment, my thoughts, my very soul.

It was ridiculous. Outrageous. The kind of thing you'd expect in a bad soap opera, not real life. And yet, here I was, pacing my tiny living room replaying every word he'd said during that drive home.

I collapsed onto the couch, burying my face in my hands. What was he even thinking? Proposing something so insane.

"Nothing would hurt him more than seeing you as his aunt."

His voice was so calm, so matter-of-fact, like this was the most logical solution in the world. But it wasn't logical-it was madness.

And yet...

A small part of me couldn't stop wondering. What if? What if I said yes? What if I took his hand and let him lead me into this crazy plan? Could I really turn the tables on Nathan and Mia? Could I finally stop feeling like the world's punching bag?

I shook my head, trying to banish the thought. Damian had his reasons for making that offer, and they probably had more to do with his own agenda than helping me.

But then again, wasn't that the point? We'd both get something out of it. He'd get whatever revenge he was after, and I'd get to show Nathan and Mia that I wasn't the pathetic little victim they thought I was.

Still, it wasn't that simple. Nothing ever was.

The next morning, I dragged myself to work, hoping to lose myself in the monotony of spreadsheets and emails. But as soon as I stepped into the office, I knew it was going to be one of those days.

So, the whispers started almost immediately.

"Did you see the announcement?"

"They're such a perfect couple."

"I can't believe she's still showing her face here."

My stomach churned, but I kept my head down, pretending I didn't hear them. I made it to my desk and opened my laptop, trying to focus on the screen in front of me.

But then Wendy, my only real friend in this place, appeared at my side. She looked hesitant, like she wasn't sure if she should say anything.

"Have you seen it?" she asked quietly.

"Seen what?" I asked, even though I already knew.

She sighed, pulling out her phone. "I thought you should hear it from me first."

With that, she showed me the screen of her phone which was a photo of Nathan and Mia, their arms wrapped around each other, smiling like they didn't have a care in the world with the caption which was simple but effective "She said yes!"

Staring at the image, my chest tightened as it wasn't just the photo but everything it represented. They'd moved on. They'd erased me like I was nothing, like the seven years I'd spent with Nathan didn't matter.

And now the whole world knew it.

"Are you okay?" Wendy asked, her voice full of concern.

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I'm fine."

But I wasn't.

I couldn't let my pain out to anyone not even to my best friend, Wendy.

I felt so little but I knew I needed to take the right action.

However, that evening, I sat in my apartment, staring at my phone. Damian's number was saved in my contacts, though I hadn't called him since that night.

I thought about everything that had happened-Nathan's betrayal, Mia's taunts, the way everyone seemed to delight in my humiliation. I thought about Damian's offer, his calm confidence, the way he'd stood up for me when no one else had.

Maybe it was crazy. Maybe it would blow up in my face. But what did I have to lose?

Before I could overthink it, I hit the call button.

He answered on the second ring. "Mandy."

His voice was smooth, steady, like he'd been expecting my call.

"I've been thinking about your... proposal," I said, trying to keep my voice even.

"And?"

I hesitated, gripping the phone tightly. "Why are you doing this? What's in it for you?" I asked as there was pause Instantly as I could almost hear the smile in his voice when he replied. "Let's just say I have my reasons. But they don't matter as much as what you'll get out of it."

"And what's that?"

"Power," he said simply. "Control. The chance to stop being the victim and start being the one who sets the rules."

His words sent a shiver down my spine. "And you're sure this will work?"

"Trust me," he said, his tone laced with confidence. "Nathan won't know what hit him."

Then, I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. This was insane. Reckless. But it was also the first time in a long time that I felt like I had a choice, like I could do something instead of just letting life happen to me.

"Alright," I said finally. "I'll do it."

With that, there was a brief silence, and then Damian's voice came through, low and certain. "Good. I'll handle everything. All you have to do is trust me." he uttered.

Trust? That was a tall order. But for now, I didn't have much of a choice.

Immediately, the call ended, and I sat there for a long time, staring at the screen.

Though, I didn't know what the future held, but one thing was certain, my life was about to change. And for some reason I felt ready to face it.