Maya's POV
When Damian spoke up defending Damon, insisting he'd done nothing wrong, relief washed over me. Whatever had happened, my Damon hadn't betrayed me. His actions, misguided as they were, came from a place of protection, not deceit.
As the guys explained everything—repeatedly emphasizing how Damon feared losing me—I began to understand the depth of his worry. While I could comprehend his fear, I struggled to accept why he hadn't trusted that my love was strong enough to weather any storm.
Listening to him explain himself, his voice breaking as he professed his love, I realized that his fear had been paralyzing. It had blinded him to any outcome except the worst one—that I would leave. His terror had consumed all rational thought, leaving him focused solely on the possibility of losing me forever.
