The ride back from Samantha's Hope was quiet
But it was no longer uncomfortable silence
It was thoughtful
Heavy with everything that had been felt
And not yet said
Emma stared out the window
Watching the city blur past
But her thoughts stayed behind
With the little boy
With Damon's rare smile
With the name Samantha
He had once loved someone deeply
And lost her
That loss had not hardened him
It had caged him
She turned her head slowly
Looked at the man beside her
He was staring straight ahead
But his fingers tapped gently on his knee
Like he was restless
Or unsure
She reached over
Laid her hand over his
He didn't flinch this time
He looked at her
Thank you for showing me that
She whispered
He nodded
But did not speak
The car pulled into the penthouse driveway
He opened the door for her again
It had become a habit now
One neither of them questioned
Inside
The place felt different
Not because of the furniture
Not because of the walls
But because something between them had shifted
Emma stepped out of her shoes again
Walked toward the balcony
She needed air
She needed to breathe in something real
Damon followed quietly
Stood behind her
Do you miss her every day
She asked without turning around
He stepped closer
I don't know how not to
She nodded
I think I miss people I never even had
She whispered
He moved beside her now
Leaning on the railing
What do you mean
My mother was never there
My father was always working
And when he wasn't
He was angry
I think I miss the version of them I wanted
Not the ones I had
He looked at her
Eyes steady
And you still believe in love
I have to
Otherwise what would I be surviving for
He was quiet for a long time
Then he said
Sometimes I wonder if people like us
Are meant to have love
Or just taste it enough to know we'll never have it again
She looked up at him
That's a cruel way to live
He gave a small shrug
Life has never promised kindness
But you still build therapy centers
You still help people
Because I want someone else to live differently than I did
Emma turned fully toward him
Why did you marry me Damon
Don't say it was a deal
Tell me the truth
He looked at her
Long and deep
Because when I saw you
I saw someone who didn't want to be saved
But needed someone to stand beside her
And I knew that if I didn't
You'd disappear
And I couldn't explain why
But I didn't want that to happen
Her chest rose with emotion
You say things like that
And then shut me out again
Because letting you in scares me more than losing you
Her breath caught
I've lost everyone who mattered
If you start to matter
I don't know how I'll survive that
You think I won't matter to you
I think you already do
And that terrifies me
A tear escaped her eye
She didn't wipe it away
Then let it happen Damon
Let yourself feel it
Because I'm here
And I'm not walking away
He took a slow step forward
Then another
Until there was no space between them
She looked up at him
Their faces inches apart
He raised a hand
Touched her cheek gently
You're not afraid
I am
But I want you more than I want safety
His hand moved
Cradled her jaw
And for the first time
He kissed her
Soft
Slow
Like he was learning how to breathe again
Her fingers curled against his shirt
And he deepened the kiss
Not rushed
But real
Filled with everything he had been holding back
When they pulled apart
Their foreheads touched
I didn't mean for this to happen
He whispered
But it did
And I'm not sorry
She nodded
Me neither
They stood there until the sky darkened
And the stars came out
Later that night
Emma sat on the couch with a book
Damon on a call across the room
His voice was calm
But his eyes flicked to her often
When he ended the call
He walked over
There's something I have to tell you
He said quietly
She put the book down
I'm listening
Tomorrow
We're attending a private family gathering
My father will be there
And so will my stepmother
Is that bad
My stepmother never accepted me
She still believes I was responsible for what happened to Samantha
But that's not true
It doesn't matter
She made up her truth a long time ago
And your father
Weak
Easily swayed
But he controls part of the company shares
Emma stood slowly
Then I'll be there
And I won't let them touch you
He blinked
Like no one had ever said that before
You'll protect me
We protect each other
That's what this is becoming
Isn't it
He nodded
Yes
It is