ANMELDENThere was a long silence.“You haven't asked me to come back again”.“I won't”.“Why”.That caught her attention.“Because you told me not to”. Damien said, meeting her gaze.She studied him longer looking for something like control, pressure,or expectation but she found none.“So what are you doing”?. She asked.“Waiting”.The word was simple but heavy.“You don't strike me as someone who waits”. She said,“I wasn't but I am now”.Sophia stared at him harder.“....why?”“Because you're worth it”. Damien said immediately he didn't hesitate.“You make it sound easy”. She said quietly.“It's not”.“Then why does it feel like you're so sure”.“I am not sure about anything. Except that I don't want to lose you again”. He leaned forward slightly.Sophia's breath caught slightly at the word “lose” and she hated that it did.Sophia's hand moved involuntarily to her stomach again.“You almost did”. She said,“I know”.“And now you're trying to fix it.”“Yes”.She looked at him again“What if
“That I am not just talking”.“Of what?”. Sophia is still confused. She reached for the folder slowly. Opened it carefully and her eyes read through the first page. Then the next she raised her face to look a Damien“Transfer of ownership?.........of the house”? She asked surprisely .“Yes”.“You gave it up?”“I changed it”.“What does that mean?”“It is in your name now”.“.......what?. Sophia asked, still confused and surprised.Javier stood where he was watching silently. The room went completely silent.“You own it”. Damien said softly.“Why would you do that?” She asked.“Because it was never just mine. And because if you ever go back there…… it should be yours”.Sophia stared at him blankly, her brain processing what she had just heard and she was trying to understand.“You think giving me this house fixes everything”?. She asked.“No”.“Then what is this”?“It is a start”.“You said you won't ask again”. She replied looking down at the folder.“I am not asking, I am showing you
“No. I want you to come back knowing that everything has changed.” He said calmly, fully knowing the weight of damage he had done.“You say that”. She said letting out a quick deep breath.“I mean it”.“How?. How has it changed”?.“Because you're not the same woman anymore”. He said choosing his words carefully.“And”?“And I am not the same man.”“You're still going to have to do better than that”.“I don't expect you to believe me”. He nodded.“Good”. Sophia replied sharply.“But I want you to see it. Everyday”. Sophia looked at him.“And bringing me back there proves that”?.“No. Let me show you.”“You don't understand”. Sophia said, shaking her head slightly.“Then help me”.“You're asking me to go back to the place where I felt completely alone?“You won't be alone this time”“You said that before. Remember?”.That hit hard because it was the truth. Damien couldn't defend it.“ I failed you and I won't do that again”.“You don't know that”.“I do”. He said immediately without h
“You don't have to drive me”.“I know”.“My father could have sent someone or come take me himself”.“I know”.“Then why are you here?”. She asked, looking at him.“Because I want to be”. He said softly.Sophia continued looking at him for a longer time before she looked away.“You……always say things so simple”.“They're simple to me”.“Nothing about this is simple”.“Then I will say it clearly. I want to be here for you”. He glanced at her briefly.“But you don't have to do everything”.Damien didn't argue.“ Then what are you doing”. Sophia asked, staring at him again.“I am showing up”. He said, exhaling slowly.The words were simple but powerful that Sophia had to look away back at the passing street.“.... You didn't do that before”.“No. But I am doing it now”.The car slowed as they entered a quieter street. Sophia's chest tightened.“We are close”. She said softly.Damien nodded.“I know”.They saw her father's gate in view. Sophia pointed that is it. Damien drove slowly towar
“You lost the right to be here from the moment you threw her out of your life”.“I know”. Damien nodded once.“So you know”?“Yes. And I regret it”.“So what changed”?There was heavy silence and the air between them felt heavier. It was tensed“...... Or at least I am trying to….” His words failed him“And you expect me to believe that”?“No, I don't expect anything from you. just know am not leaving her again”There was silence between them. Javier studied him carefully like a man used to reading people finding weakness and truth. But deeply Sophia watched both of them. Her heart caught between the presence and the past between the man who raised her and the man who broke her and was trying to fix the mess he had made.“Dad…”. Sophia called out softly and quietly. She loves both of them. She can't deny the fact.“ You shouldn't be dealing with this right now”. Javier warned turning back to Sophia.“I am not dealing with anything. I just don't want you fighting”.There was a pause.
“We made it”. She said softly letting out her tears while holding on to Damien.“I know you're strong. I am much happier”.He said holding her tight too.After a moment.“I will call the doctor”. Damien said. Then he left to call the doctor for more follow up.A few minutes later, the room filled with soft sound, the machine hummed quietly. The doctor adjusted a few settings.“Let's see how our little fighter is doing”. He said softly, smiling at both of them.Sophia’s breath caught as the gel was applied, her eyes stayed fixed on the monitor waiting and then a sound fast rhythmic strong heartbeat was heard. Sophia's finger held on tightly into the sheets, tears slipped down her cheeks.“It's okay”. Everything looks good.” The doctor said softly. But she wasn't listening anymore all she could hear was that sound alive still fighting.Damien stood beside her watching her silently how she was reacting, how her emotions were consoled. The way her body seemed to finally relax like she had







