Chapter 40 Chapter 40

Chapter 40 Chapter 40
~ Elena’s POV
The wind whipped against my face as I stood at the very edge of the clock tower roof, the city far below me. The figure in the shadows didn’t move, didn’t speak…..just stood there with a gun hanging loosely at his side.
My heart climbed into my throat. I took one step back…..and almost stumbled. The figure rushed forward. “Elena!“ Damian’s voice cut through the dark just as his face came into the faint light.
I exhaled sharply, knees almost buckling. He grabbed my arm, pulling me away from the ledge, dragging me toward the center of the roof where the stone felt steadier under my feet.
“Are you insane?“ He rasped, voice trembling just slightly…..something Damian Moretti never allowed anyone to hear. His hand slid from my arm to my waist, steadying me.
“What the hell are you doing?“ I snapped, breath coming out shaky. “You scared me—“
But he didn’t answer. He simply lifted his gun….and held it out to me, “Take it.“
I stared at him, confused, the night suddenly colder. “Damian….what are you doing?“
“Take it.“ His voice was low and controlled, almost frightening. I swallowed hard and reached for the gun, my fingers brushing against his knuckles. He didn’t flinch.
“Kill me,“ he said.
My stomach dropped. “What?“
“If you think I killed your father,“ he murmured, staring right into me, “then shoot me. Right now. End it.“
The words punched the air out of my lungs. “What?“
“You said you found your evidence,“ he said, expression firm. “You said I destroyed your life. Your family. So if that’s truly what you believe…..end it.“
My hands shook around the gun, the barrel trembling as I stared at him. “Damian, stop. Don’t twist this—-“
“I’m not twisting anything,“ his jaw tensed. “You think I took your father from you. So do it. Prove you’re right.“
I stared at him, disbelief twisting in my chest. “Are you out of your mind? I found evidence……actual evidence…..that pointed directly to you! You hid that file in your drawer. You knew. If you didn’t kill him, then you knew, Damian.“
“I did,“ he said quietly.
“And you stayed silent!“ I shouted, voice cracking. “You let me think I was crazy…..let me think I was grieving wrong….let me believe you were helping when you weren’t! You’re the reason I—“‘
Footsteps echoed behind me. I whipped around, and Marco stepped into the light, expression unreadable, hands raised slightly like he didn’t want to startle me.
“Marco?“ I whispered.
He stopped a few feet away, standing beside me. His presence felt strangely grounding, but Damian’s glare at his right-hand man sliced through the air like a blade.
I was crying again before I even realized it. Marco glanced between the two of us, then bowed his head slightly. “Moretti…..I’m sorry,“ he said quietly. “I’m sorry for what I’m about to do.“
“Marco.“ Damian’s voice was sharp. A warning.
“Elena,“ he said, looking straight at me, “you have everything wrong. You saw one part and assumed the rest. Nothing in that file proves he killed your father.“
I blinked at him, tears slowing. “You’re lying. You have to lie; you’re his right-hand man. Besides, I saw you at the scene in the pictures.“
Marco shook his head instantly. “If I were lying, I wouldn’t be standing here.“ He took a step forward. “He’s not who he used to be, not since the wedding. You’ve changed him in ways none of us thought possible….even when it’s bad for business. Even when it puts him at risk—-“
Damian moved so fast I barely saw it. His fist collided with Marco’s jaw, the punch echoing through the rooftop.
“Damian!“ I gasped, rushing to Marco as he stumbled. “What is wrong with you!?“
Marco wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and chuckled softly. “It’s nothing, Mrs. Moretti.“ Then he looked at me again. “But trust him. This time…..trust him.“
I looked at Damian. Really looked this time. And for the first time since the file, something in his expression cracked. Something vulnerable and afraid.
“Tell me,“ I whispered. “Tell me the truth, Damian. All of it. Or I will walk out of your life and never come back again.“
His expression was shattered.
“You—“
“I mean it.“
He stared at me like he was trying to memorize my face. Then, slowly, he nodded. “I’ll tell you everything,“ he said. “But not here.“
I swallowed. “Then where?“
“Home,“ he answered. “Come home with me. And I’ll tell you everything.“
Reluctantly, I agreed. The three of us climbed down from the tower in silence. Marco stayed behind, rubbing his jaw. Damian and I walked to the car and drove through the night, neither of us speaking a single word.
I turned to him in between to catch a single sight of him, but he remained focused on the road. The white knuckles on the steering wheel and the tight jaw were enough evidence to me that he was tensed. Although I hated seeing him like this, there was nothing I could do. I needed answers, and he was the only one who could give them to me. I wanted to reach over and grab his hand, but I restrained myself, knowing I had to stay firm for my father.
Then, I made a promise to myself to avenge Dad even if Damian was the killer.
When we reached the mansion, he didn’t guide me to our room, the living room, or the dining hall. He took me straight to his study.
The moment we stepped inside, he locked the door.
“Damian—-?“
Before I could finish, his arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me against him. I pushed at his chest, anger sparking again, but he leaned down.
“Trust me,” he whispered against my ear, voice rough with something pained. “Please. Trust me, Elena. I would never do anything that would hurt you.“
“Damian, let—“
He lowered his head and crushed his mouth to mine….firm, desperate, and almost trembled, as he whispered between our lips, “I love you.“