LOGINDAMON’S POVFiorella held my gaze, a trace of uncertainty in her expression.“We finished with the client,” she explained. “She handled everything and we left together.”I did not interrupt her.“We got to the parking lot,” she continued. “She put the bags in the car, and I remembered I left something upstairs. I told her I would be back in a minute.”A brief pause followed.“When I came back down, she was gone.”My jaw tightened slightly. “Gone how?”“The car was gone,” she replied. “I called her immediately, but she did not answer. I assumed she was with you or that she had to leave for something urgent.”I stared at her for a moment, processing every word carefully.“And you did not think to call again?” I asked, my tone harsher than intended. “Or inform me?”I immediately regretted that.“I did,” she answered, her voice breaking slightly. “Multiple times, but neither of you picked up. The last call was a few minutes ago.”I took out my phone and immediately sent a text to my head
DAMON’S POV The driver parked the car in the driveway and turned to me. “Anything else, sir?” “No.” He nodded and got out of the car. I turned to Rhys beside me in the back passenger seat. “Don’t go through the front door. I don’t want my kids to see blood all over their uncle.” Rhys barely reacted. “Yes, brother.” “And while you’re at it, stop murdering people everywhere you go,” I said, struggling to keep my calm as anger coursed through me. “What the fuck, Rhys?” He called me a few hours ago to pick him up from a club where he murdered a man in front of everyone. And obviously not in a clean way with the amount of blood he had on him. “I know,” he responded, staring out the window. “I fucked up. I’ll have Vani handle it.” I looked away from him. “No, you won’t. I’ll handle it, as usual. However, I shouldn't be cleaning up your mess. How hard is it not to kill?” “Well maybe they shouldn’t be doing things that incur death,” he snapped. “How about that? How about people ju
GABRIELLE’S POV Susan had taken the girls to the park for a picnic while I caught up with work online. Damon wasn’t home either. He had to attend a meeting with his business partners, but should be on his way home anytime soon. Rhys stepped out some minutes after he did. And that gave Fiorella and me enough free time to catch up. A few hours later, we were driving back from a full day of spa and shopping, the backseat filled with bags and garment covers from different stores. I leaned back into my seat, both hands on the steering wheel. “I had no idea this was an option,” Fiorella said with a relaxed sigh from the passenger seat. I slightly turned to her. “Why?” She did not look at me. Her gaze stayed fixed ahead on the road as she spoke. “Life lately has been… unexpected.” “For good reasons, I suppose,” I said. “I’m still mad at you for not telling me about the wedding.” Something flickered across her face, but it disappeared just as quickly. “I’m sorry. I guess we were
GABRIELLE’S POV A brief silence followed. I slowly set Aria down from my lap. Fiorella’s eyes were already on me, sharp and questioning. “I’ll be right back,” I said. Rhys glanced up from the pot. “Everything okay?” “Yes,” I answered without hesitation. “Just a small issue at the gate.” I didn’t wait for another question. I turned and walked out of the kitchen, my steps calm even as something cold settled in my chest. My instincts were already telling me that this was about a particular blonde man. The guard followed behind me as we stepped out of the house. “It’s about the man from yesterday,” he said. My body went still. “What about him?” I asked, keeping my voice calm as we walked down to the gate. “He’s back,” the guard replied. “We refused him entry as instructed, but he has parked in front of the gate and refuses to leave.” I was right. I knew Aiden wouldn’t give up. I knew Damon should have done something about him. “He’s been there for a while,” he added. “W
GABRIELLE’S POV Damon didn’t come back to bed that night. He didn’t tuck the girls in either. I woke up and glanced at the clock on the bedside table. 3:00 AM The sheet behind me was still cold, and I was beginning to get uncomfortable. We had always talked things out before going to bed. And the times we didn’t, we at least cuddled through the night and talked in the morning. Did I push him too far? I stood up and reached for my robe, wrapping it around my nightdress as I stepped out of the room. I checked in on the children first to see that they were both sound asleep. Then I stepped out of the house to search for him. He was exactly where I expected he’d be. Damon was sitting on a bench in the garden where we got married, a drink in his hand. I stood behind him for a second. He was struggling with his emotions and it hurt that I couldn’t do anything to help him. But I could make him come back to bed and get some rest at least. I walked closer to hi
GABRIELLE’S POV I thought my ears had failed me. “What do you mean, Damon?” I asked. He sighed and walked towards the window to look out of it. “I didn’t murder Phoebe but if this is a way to atone for my actions, then let him snoop around.” I blinked in surprise, and pushed the door shut behind us as I stared at his broad back. “That’s not atonement,” I said softly. “That’s you handing yourself over for something you didn’t do. You don’t deserve—” He didn’t turn around. “I’ll take the fall. You don’t get to decide what I deserve, Gabrielle.” “I don’t need to decide. I know what’s fair.” He let out a quiet breath. “Fair stopped applying a long time ago. If life were fair, I wouldn’t have even been born.” I closed my eyes for a second and exhaled. I had always wanted him to heal, but now, I was beginning to think he might have healed a little more than necessary. But I understood him. It was fifteen years of guilt finally let loose and weighing down on his consci
GABRIELLE’S POV “What?” I asked, unsure I heard him correctly. He took my hand and placed it on his chest. I felt his heart beat faster, then steadied again, thumping softly under my palm. His eyes softened. “Gabrielle… let’s just stay this way for a while.” I swallowed, my th
GABRIELLE’S POV Damon didn’t come back home that night. I tried not to think too much of it, but every hour that passed made the house feel bigger… and colder. I’d have spent my time with Lila but she didn’t even want to speak to me anymore. I didn’t see myself as her stepmother. I neve
GABRIELLE’S POV I blinked, caught off guard by his words. “Punish me?” “For snooping,” he said, walking closer slowly. “You can always walk out and pretend you never saw this room.” My throat ran dry. “Damon… I…” He stopped in his tracks. “I told you I was too dark for you. You should lea
DAMON’S POV Three cold baths later and I still couldn’t get the image of her out of my head. She had no idea I was punishing myself as well. If I had stayed a second more, I’d have taken her on the bed, right there and then, without a second thought. She was the most perfect human ever to e







