All Chapters of The Debt Collectors Bride: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Damien’s POV: The door suddenly burst open. My guard, Luca, rushed in first with his gun ready, followed by two other guards. They stopped in fear when they saw me on the floor, covering Sera like a shield, with broken window glass scattered all around us. For a moment, no one moved or even breathed. “A shooter!” I snapped. “He’s in the south area. Go!” My guards immediately shook off their fear and ran out. I turned back to Sera. She was shaking so badly her teeth were chattering. I quickly checked her head, arms, and chest for any blood. “Are you hurt?” I whispered, full of dread. She just shook her head, too shocked to speak. A deep sense of relief washed over me. I touched her cheek. “I’m going to chase him.” Before I could get up, her hand shot out and grabbed my shirt. I stopped instantly. She didn’t say anything, but the wild fear in her eyes told me everything. She didn't want me to leave her alone. My chest hurt with sudden, intense emotion. But I remembered the

Sera’s POV: Being moved felt like being punished.When they told me I was going to a “safer wing,” all I could think was, they’ve just made a fancier cage. This huge house already felt endless.. those massive, quiet rooms, the portraits with blank stares, the staff who were too afraid to look you in the eye. Now, the word safer hung over me like a promise I just knew was a lie.Luca and two big, silent guards showed up with my suitcases. Damien was right there in the doorway, watching. His coat was still wet, and his boots were leaving dark, muddy tracks on the beautiful marble floor. He just stood there for a moment, big and heavy, like the whole house was shrinking just to hold him.“Where are we going?” I asked, trying so hard to sound calm, but the question came out tiny and scared.He stepped closer, closing the space between us. That’s when I saw it.. the tight, hard line around his mouth, the kind of emotional shield he only puts up when he’s completely on edge. “A private ar

Sera’s POV: I woke up, and the first thing I noticed was a comforting warmth all around me. My body was tightly curled into something solid, something strong. It was Damien. My heart gave a sudden, painful jump inside my chest. I froze completely, terrified that even a small movement would shatter this unexpected moment. His strong arm was resting around me; it was a loose hold, but it felt instinctively protective. My cheek was resting right against his chest, and I could clearly hear the slow, steady rhythm of his heart beating. I was fully nestled in his arms. Panic tried to creep into my mind, but it was immediately tangled with a strange mix of warmth, confusion, and a deep sense of safety that didn't feel rational at all. I remembered asking him to stay with me the night before. I remembered finally falling asleep before I could second-guess my decision. This closeness was entirely my own fault. I carefully tried to shift my position a little. Damien immediately adju

Sera’s POV:The long car ride back to the mansion was quiet.It wasn't the scary, heavy silence that usually made my chest tight, it felt calmer, like the peaceful space between two thoughts. The city rushed past the window in blurred lights and shapes. Meanwhile, my mind was completely stuck on one single topic.The woman.I watched Damien from the corner of my eye. He sat next to me, his body relaxed, but his eyes were constantly tracking everything outside. He hadn't said much since we left the art store. I hadn’t spoken much, either.I kept telling myself not to bring it up.I really didn't want to break the fragile, careful peace we had found today. The outing had been genuinely pleasant, almost normal. I was afraid that asking questions would drag us straight back into the shadows and the danger.But the memory simply wouldn’t leave me alone.The sharp way that woman had looked at me. The intense way she had spoken to Damien. The harsh word she had used…. “weakness.” I pretended

Sera’s pov: “Please don’t let her see me looking like this.” Those were my father’s first words. His voice was rough and broken, coming from behind the half-open door, and it stopped me completely. My hand was shaking in the air, and my heart was beating too loudly in my chest. “She really needs to see you,” Damien replied calmly. His voice was firm, not cruel. “She has been asking for you.” There was a long moment of silence. Then I heard him sobbing. It was a raw, terrible sound that I had never heard from the strong man who raised me. “Just give me one minute,” my father whispered. Damien glanced back at me. His eyes softened just slightly, showing his concern. He nodded once, then walked down the hallway with the guards, giving us a private moment but staying close by. I took a breath and stepped inside the room. The room smelled strongly of medicine and clean linen. Weak, pale sunlight came through the tall window. My father was lying in the bed, looking thinner t