Chapter 14: Pads. With wings. Like a plane

The next morning, Sera curled up on the couch, her knees pulled tightly to her chest as sharp, stabbing pains rolled through her abdomen. Her face was pale, beads of sweat forming on her forehead as she clutched the fabric of her hoodie. The blanket wrapped around her felt too warm, yet she was trembling.

The hum of conversation in the kitchen reached her ears faintly—Liam and Zayn talking in hushed tones. Damon stood near the balcony door, his phone in hand, but his sharp gray eyes flicked toward her every few seconds.

She tried to shift into a more comfortable position, but a fresh wave of pain made her suck in a sharp breath.

It wasn’t normal. It never was. Every month, it felt like her body was waging war against itself. She knew why—years of trauma, fear, and damage had left scars deeper than anyone could see.

“Hey, kiddo.” Liam’s voice was soft as he approached, crouching down in front of her. His warm brown eyes scanned her face, concern etched into every line of his expression. “You’re in a lot of pain, aren’t you?”

She gave a faint nod, her breath shaky as she forced herself to speak. “It’s always like this. It’s… normal for me.”

Liam’s jaw tightened slightly, but he kept his voice steady. “Sera, listen to me. I’m a doctor, okay? And I’m telling you this isn’t something you should just accept as ‘normal.’ You shouldn’t have to suffer like this.”

Damon stepped forward then, his tall figure casting a shadow over the couch. “What can we do, Liam?”

“She needs a proper exam,” Liam said firmly. “There’s a friend of mine—a gynecologist I trust completely. She’s kind, patient. I’ll be with Sera the entire time if she wants me there.”

At the mention of a doctor, Sera’s body stiffened, and her breathing grew shallow.

“No,” she whispered. “I can’t. Please… I can’t do that.”

Damon stepped closer, lowering himself onto the edge of the couch beside her. His steel-gray eyes softened slightly as he spoke, his voice low and steady. “Sera, you’re in pain. If this can help—”

“No!” Her voice cracked, her chest rising and falling rapidly. “I… I can’t. Please don’t make me go. Please…”

Damon’s hand hovered in the air for a moment before gently resting on her blanket-covered shoulder. “Okay. Okay, Sera. We won’t force you. But if the pain gets worse, promise me you’ll let us know.”

She nodded weakly, tears pooling in her green eyes.

The day passed slowly. Liam prepared tea and brought her a heating pad, while Zayn hovered awkwardly nearby, cracking jokes that didn’t quite land but still made her lips twitch into faint smiles.

But it was Damon who stayed the longest.

As evening fell, Sera lay curled on her side, the soft glow from the lamp casting a warm light across her pale face. Damon sat at the edge of the couch, one hand resting lightly on her back as she dozed fitfully.

Every so often, a faint whimper escaped her lips, and Damon’s jaw would tighten as he stared at her fragile form. He hated this—hated seeing her in pain, hated feeling so utterly powerless to fix it.

When she shivered, he carefully adjusted the blanket around her shoulders. When she stirred in discomfort, he whispered soft reassurances that she probably couldn’t even hear.

But he stayed.

When Liam walked in to check on her, he paused in the doorway, watching Damon. His friend—the ruthless, unyielding Damon Hale—was holding a girl who had been shattered by life, protecting her with a gentleness Liam had rarely seen.

“She’s going to be okay, D,” Liam said softly.

Damon’s voice was a low rumble, filled with barely restrained frustration. “She shouldn’t have to suffer like this, Liam. She shouldn’t have to fear getting help.”

“She will when she’s ready,” Liam said gently. “All we can do is make her feel safe until then.”

Later that night, Sera stirred awake. The room was dim, the faint glow of city lights filtering in through the windows. Damon was still sitting near her, his head resting lightly against the back of the couch, his eyes closed.

“Damon?” Her voice was soft, trembling slightly.

His eyes snapped open immediately, his focus sharp as they locked onto hers. “I’m here, Sera.”

She swallowed hard, her cheeks flushing slightly as she glanced away. “I… I need something.”

“Anything,” Damon said immediately, leaning forward slightly.

She hesitated, her fingers trembling as they twisted the edge of the blanket. “I… need some things from the store. You know… um… for my period.”

Damon’s expression softened, and to her relief, he didn’t seem uncomfortable or awkward. “Of course. I’ll take care of it.”

“No!” she said quickly, her face turning scarlet. “Not you. Please… can Liam or Zayn go? It’s… embarrassing.”

Damon’s lips twitched faintly, but he nodded. “I’ll have them go now.”

One hour later, Zayn stood in the feminine care aisle of the upscale pharmacy, staring at an entire wall of colorful packages and confusing labels. Liam was beside him, arms crossed, brows furrowed.

“Okay, man. This is… overwhelming,” Zayn muttered.

Liam let out a sigh. “Pads. With wings. Overnight protection. Got it?”

“Right, pads. With wings. Like a plane. Got it.” Zayn grabbed a package randomly. “Wait, this says ‘extra thin.’ Is thin good or bad?”

“Bro, I don’t know!” Liam ran a hand through his hair. “Get a variety pack. All the colors. Just… grab everything.”

A woman nearby gave them a side-eye glance before walking away quickly.

Eventually, they returned to the penthouse with two bags filled with an assortment of menstrual products, a heating pad, herbal tea, and even a chocolate bar.

Back at the penthouse, Liam handed the bag to Sera without a word, a faint flush creeping up his neck. Zayn, on the other hand, gave a small theatrical bow.

“Your supplies, my lady.”

Sera let out a soft, breathless laugh, her green eyes glistening faintly. “Thank you… both of you.”

“Anytime, genius girl,” Zayn said with a grin.

Liam patted her shoulder gently before stepping back.

Damon appeared in the doorway just as Sera was carefully unpacking the bag. His sharp gray eyes met hers, and for a moment, there was only silence between them.

“Do you need anything else?” he asked softly.

She shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. “No. You’ve done more than enough.”

“Get some rest, Sera,” Damon said, his voice steady. “We’ll be here if you need us.”

As the door closed softly behind them, Sera clutched the heating pad to her chest and let herself breathe. For the first time in years, she felt like she didn’t have to fight alone.