Chapter 4

I slipped my wrist from his hand.

"Don't you have your own responsibilities? So why are you suddenly so interested in where I'm going?"

Damian went quiet.

For a second, I saw recognition flicker across his face.

Months ago, those had been his exact words to me.

After a long pause, he finally said,

"I should've told you before I left for Sicily. That was my mistake. It won't happen again." He hesitated." Tomorrow I have to deal with something. Clara had another incident with the women at the estate. It's gotten serious. The Family Council wants to question everyone involved. I'll help her handle it."

He looked at me.

"Move your surgery to the day after tomorrow. I'll be there."

Even now, when it came to choosing between us, I still came second.

"It's fine. I don't need you there."

His brows drew together. As if I simply didn't understand. "I can have the best surgeons standing by. I can make sure everything goes smoothly. I'll stay with you."

Before I could answer, his phone rang. Damian answered immediately.

Clara's frightened voice came through the speaker.

"Damian, I think someone's trying to get into my room. I'm scared."

His expression changed instantly. He grabbed his keys.

I stopped him. "Wait."

He turned back impatiently.

"Elena. Are you seriously expecting me to ask your permission before I protect someone? There isn't time for this. She could be in danger."

His jaw tightened. Then, as though trying to reassure me, he added, "I'll make it to your surgery."

"But right now, I need you to understand what matters most."

He misunderstood.

I wasn't asking him to stay. I was trying to tell him that I don’t need him for the surgery.

But he'd already walked out the door.

The next morning, I found my surgery had been postponed anyway.

Damian had spoken to the hospital director himself. No one dared refuse the Blackwood family's request.

The physician smiled knowingly. "Don't be so hard on your boyfriend. Mr. Blackwood told us everything. He said you're only insisting on handling this alone because you're upset with him. He even rearranged his schedule to be here. That's not something a man does unless he truly loves his girlfriend."

According to my original plan, I was supposed to have the procedure today.

Fly to London tomorrow and start my new life the day after.

Instead, with a single phone call, Damian had unraveled every plan I'd made.

I called him immediately. The phone was answered on the second ring.

But it wasn't Damian. It was Clara.

"He was sleeping." Her voice was barely above a whisper.

" He stayed awake all night because he was worried about me. If you need something, you can tell me." Then, as if she'd suddenly remembered,

"Oh, weren't you supposed to have surgery today? I'm so sorry. I'm afraid Damian won't be able to make it." She gasped softly. "Oh no, please don't misunderstand."

I hung up before she could finish.

Seconds later,

Her Instagram updated.

There's nothing safer than knowing he'll always come for me.

The photo showed a luxury hotel suite. Damian sat in the chair beside Clara's bed.

Still dressed in yesterday's suit. His eyes were closed, but he wasn't asleep.

The dark circles under his eyes showed he had spent the entire night watching over her.

I blocked them both. Then I arranged my surgery in London.

A small procedure like this could be done anywhere.

The following morning, I boarded my flight.

One hand rested lightly over my still-flat stomach.

No one came to stop me.

And Damian Blackwood, never even knew he was watching his girlfriend and his unborn child, leave forever.

Damian was informed that I had missed my scheduled procedure.

His assistant called him at 11 AM. "Mr. Blackwood, Ms. Elena didn't show up for her appointment this morning."

Damian frowned, glancing at his watch. He'd been at Clara's suite until 6 AM, finally leaving when she'd fallen asleep. He'd assumed I'd handle it myself.

"Did she reschedule?"

" Mr. Blackwood," the assistant paused. "The physician mentioned something else. He thought you already knew."

"Knew what?"

"Ms. Elena is pregnant. Approximately eight weeks."

For a moment, Damian froze.

Then, a smile slowly spread across his face.

"Pregnant?"

He repeated the word softly, almost unable to believe it.

"That woman..." he murmured, a rare warmth appearing in his eyes. "She actually kept something this important from me?"

But the smile on his face faded when his assistant continued.

"I tried to contact her to confirm, but she hasn't answered any of my calls. Mr. Blackwood... are you able to reach her?"