The following week moved by in a haze of routines. Days melted into nights in the quiet mansion, and Rosalina slowly adapted to the luxury and calm. Damon had returned to work, but every evening, he came home earlier than she expected…sometimes with groceries, sometimes with pastries, and once, with a sketchpad and expensive markers. He had noticed her doodling on napkins and wanted her to "have the real thing."It melted all her defenses. Every little act of kindness, every word of encouragement he gave her chipped at the wall she'd built around herself. But she refused to name the feeling growing inside her…not yet.Damon had found a way to not just spend time with her but with the tiny life growing in her. Little evening walks around the grounds, or just simply watching the sunset.And as much as Rosalina wanted to deny it, she loved every single minute they spent together. Every second she spent with him meant knowing him a little bit more. Uncovering the mystery that was this ma
The morning sunlight filtered through the hospital blinds, casting pale golden streaks across the bed. Rosa stirred, blinking slowly, and found Damon still in the chair by her side. He hadn’t left. Not once. He looked tired…disheveled, a far cry from the prim and proper, composed billionaire she was used to, but he was still handsome and devilishly appealing despite his disheveled state. “You stayed” she wanted to ask but it came out as a statement, her voice still hoarse from the sleep. Damon glanced at her, his gaze so soft she could melt under his green eyes. He straightened in the chair and offered a smile. “Yeah. You were muttering in your sleep. Something about punching me if I ever let you go through this alone.” Rosa laughed and rolled her eyes. “Sounds like me.” “Storm dropped by” Damon stated, I called her. “ I figured she’d want to know whatever happens” “Where’s she?” Rosa asked with such urgency. It would be amazing to see her best friend after all this time apar
Rosa woke up to the sound of beeping machines and painfully bright light. She blinked rapidly, trying to adjust her sight to the brightness around her while trying to recall how she got there. She tried to move but her limbs were heavy, her throat dry and her belly rumbled a little from hunger. A nurse hovered beside her, adjusting something on one of the machines.“Look who’s awake” she cooed and she moved closer. “How do you feel?” “Not very good,” Rosa said trying to sit upright.“Please don’t.” The nurse discouraged her, placing a hand on her shoulders to help her back down. “What’s wrong?” Rosa asked, concerned. Her hands flew to her bump as she remembered vividly how she’d gotten here. The disapproving look on Doctor Adam’s face was the last thing she remembered and now her anxiety was back in full swing. “You were brought in by your husband,” the nurse said and Rosa resisted the urge to correct her. It would be weird to tell the nurse that the man who had brought her in
It's been a few weeks in Damien's house and life has gone back to being pretty normal, or at least close to normal.Rosa had almost completely adjusted to her new life, going on antenatal runs with Storm, which she was grateful for, and being back to her art.Brilliant golden rays streamed through the open windows of the room, it was perfect. Rosa had found it after giving herself a tour of the entire building and from the minute she walked in, Rosa knew this was going to be her studio…Well, as long as she stayed in the penthouse that is.A half-finished painting stood in front of her, the smell of oil paint strong in the air. Rosa studied the strokes of dull gray and crimson red on the canvas, her right hand held a paint brush while her left hand rested absentmindedly on the slight curve of her bump. Rosa adjusted her glasses as she worked, eyes squinted in keen focus, her left hand clutching onto her palate like for dear life the brush in her right made small intricate patterns on
The clanging of pots and pans from a distance woke Rosa up with a start, rolling over to glance at the clock on her bedside table, Rosa gasped at how late she had slept in.But it wasn't her fault, there was no way she would blame herself for that, not after sleeping on the comfiest bed ever. It had easily been the best sleep of her entire life, she had slept so comfortably she could feel the dry drool on the side of her cheeks.Dashing into the bathroom, Rosa freshened up, amazed at all the products and necessities he already had available for her, money is good she thought. Rosa happily took an ‘everything’ shower, making sure to use as much product as she could and noting her favorites and least favorites. Stepping out of the shower and feeling more refreshed than ever in her life, Rosa dug through the clothesline in the wardrobe and fished for something comfy. If there was one thing she would do here, it would be comfortable,she didn’t mind having to deal with seeing him everyd
“So what? Does he just expect you to move in? Just like that?” Storm looked perplexed “Are you sure you heard him right?” She asked further, clearly not convinced that Damon had decided to take responsibility.“Yes, Storm I heard him right.” Rosa said rolling her eyes," I told you all I had to do was go public, these rich people hate when they are trending for the wrong reasons." “Wow.” Storm managed, pouring a glass of wine for herself and some apple juice for Rosa.“Yeah, wow,” Rosa said sarcastically. “I don't even know how I feel about all this anymore,” Rosa added, taking the glass from Storm and downing it in one gulp. Her heart sank a little when she realized she meant those words, yes she had initially wanted this but now, maybe it wasn’t all that. She had no idea how she felt if she wanted this…staying with him…she had hoped for his cooperation and nothing more, but it seemed things were getting pretty real now.“Hey,” Storm said comfortingly, taking a seat beside her on