The child is Lucas's

"Wh-what are you doing?”

“Nothing. I'm not doing anything to you, scarlet. What you feel right now is all you're doing,” he said softly, the timbre I'm his voice carrying a sensual vibration to my skin.

Jace shifted in my arm, and that's when I realized I was still holding him in my arms. I pushed Damian away. “I don't know what you're talking about,” I said as I walked towards the bed, dropping my son softly on the bed.

He hummed softly turning to the other— but not before I saw a thin lone tear stream down his flushed face.

My heart twisted in pain. I could not bear to watch his pain. Not ever.

And I would do everything to keep him safe away from the mobsters that called themselves my family. Anything.

I wiped the tears off his face while whispering soothing words I didn't quite believe. "It's okay, baby. They're gone now. You're safe."

I turned on the TV to his favorite cartoon channel– because I hoped the bright colors and cheerful music would give him a better dream after everything that just happened.

Damian was standing by the window, by the time I stepped out of the room–& looking out at the city lights.

"Thank you," I said quietly. "For getting them to leave on my behalf.”

"They had no right to be here in the first place,” he said and turned to me slowly. “I should have thrown them out the moment they said they needed to talk to you– clear the misunderstanding.”

“Th–they said that?” I asked incredulously.

He nodded before he came closer to me, his dark eyes finding mine. He dipped his hands in his pocket before continuing. “Of course I didn't believe them. I knew it was all bullshit. But I wanted you to make that decision yourself. I knew you deserved the biggest apology– now I see that was a mistake. I should have shoved them out since.”

Something tugged in my stomach at his words. He cared enough to believe them for my sake.

"No. No, it's not your fault. They will never change, Damian. That's just who they are,” I sighed heavily. “They just take what they want. And I'm done trying to prove my worth to them. My son is the only one that matters to me now.”

Damian nodded and I saw something flicker in his eyes, but before I could read it, it disappeared.

"They're going to ask questions."

"I know. But I don't care, so let them ask." My voice sounded confident, but my hands were shaking. I clasped them together to hide it.

Damian noticed anyway. He always seemed to notice the most little thing— and honestly, I didn't know how to interpret that.

"Lucas suspects," he said quietly. “I saw it in his face this evening. They might try to deceive him that the boy is someone's child, but he will realize it soon.”

"He can suspect all he wants,” I snapped and began to walk away from him. I knew what I was feeling— panic.

"Scarlet,” he grabbed my hand and drew me closer to him. "We both know—"

"Don't," I interrupted. "Don't say it."

"That child is Lucas's."

I wanted to deny it. I wanted to lie. But I was so tired of lying.

And what was the point? He already knew from the first day he saw Jace. And I might have admitted it too.

But still, I couldn't voice it out. I just thought, if I tried to deny it several times, tell everyone it isn't Lucas– tell myself Jace only belongs to me. Just maybe my lies would become the truth one day.

"He's MINE," I finally said, my voice cracking. "That's all that matters."

Damian studied my face for a long moment. Then he nodded slowly.

"Then you'll need protection," he said, and dropped my hand — our body still dangerously close, I could feel his heat on my skin."Lucas won't let this go."

"I can handle Lucas,” I said and pushed my hair behind my ear.

His eyes trailed to the bare skin under my ear, and I shifted slightly, my body suddenly growing warm again.

What was this feeling– this tug that I was constantly feeling when I'm around him?

I should shift back, create a good distance between us, but my legs could not just move.

"Can you?" Damian's voice was soft as he looked back up at me, meeting my eyes. "He has resources, lawyers, and family support. A powerful name in this city. What do you have?"

The question cut deep because it was true. I had my job. My skills. My reputation.

But Lucas had everything else.

Money. Power. Connections.

And now he suspected he had a son.

"I'm alone," I said quietly, realizing how fucked up the situation was for me.

"I know. I've always been alone.” I turned away from him and looked up to the sky

"You don't have to be."Damian stood behind me. His hand moved slowly on my back, giving me time to step away. To tell him to stop.

I didn't.

He turned around and then stopped in front of me— too close. Close enough that I had to tilt my head back to look at him.

"You don't have to be alone anymore, Scarlet" he said again, his voice low.

His hand came up slowly. His fingers brushed along my jawline, sending electricity through my skin.

I should have moved. Should have put distance between us.

But I couldn't– just like last time. But this one felt different. Like he knew exactly what he was doing. Like he wanted me to feel something.

"Damian," I whispered, not even sure what I was trying to say.

"I know you're scared," he said quietly. "I know you've been hurt. But you don't have to carry this burden alone."

His thumb traced along my cheekbone. The touch was gentle but deliberate. Like he was memorizing the shape of my face.

"What are you doing?" I asked, my voice barely audible.

"I'm not sure," Damian admitted. "But I know I can't stand back and watch him destroy you again."

"Lucas can't destroy me anymore. I'm not the same woman I was."

"No, you're not." Damian's other hand came up, cupping the side of my face. "You're stronger. Braver. More incredible than you even realize."

The compliment made my chest tight.

"You don't know me," I said.

"I know enough."

We were standing so close now. Too close.

I could see the dark flecks in his eyes. Could feel his breath on my skin.

This was dangerous. This man was dangerous.

Not because he would hurt me the way Lucas had. But because I could feel myself wanting to lean into him. Wanting to let him carry some of this weight.

And that terrified me more than anything.

"Scarlet," Damian said, my name sounding different in his deep voice.

"I can't," I whispered. "I can't do this."

"Can't do what?"

"Trust someone again. Let someone in. I can't."

"You don't have to trust me right now. Just don't shut me out."

His hands were still on my face. Warm and solid and steady.

I was exhausted. Bone deep exhausted.

Tired of fighting. Tired of being strong. Tired of holding everything together by myself.

Damian leaned closer. His lips were inches from mine.