Chapter 41
Chapter 41
Damian's POV
She was lying. She said she was fine, but I could see right through it, clear as day. Even though I don't know why I am concerned but I noticed a slight tremble in her hands, the way she avoided eye contact, and the way her body moved - too slow, too careful. She was weak, and it was driving me crazy. My jaw tightened as I leaned against the wall, watching her eat. Every bite seemed like an effort, and it irritated me. Not her, but the situation. The fact that she had gotten to that point was unacceptable. Who the hell lets someone live like that? Her father? A very cruel man, that could exchange his daughter for money. The thought made something dark twist in my chest, but I pushed it down so as not to over shadow me. This wasn't about him; this was about control, fixing a problem. And right now, she was the problem and I most fix her..
"You should rest after this," I said, trying to keep my tone neutral. She nodded, her eyes cast down. That wasn't like her. She used to argue, fight back, look at me with defiance. Now, she barely looked at me at all, and it unsettled me, leaving me more disturbed.
"Brenda," I called out, my voice firm but controlled. She looked up, and for a second, I forgot what I was going to say. Her eyes were different now, not just fearful, but something softer, something dangerous.
"You need to stop leaving the mansion alone," I said finally, trying to regain my composure. Her brows furrowed slightly, and for a moment, I thought she would argue.
"I wasn't trying to run away," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I know," I replied, my voice low.
She blinked, confusion etched on her face. "You... know?"
"I said I know," I repeated, my tone firm but gentle.
The silence between us was palpable, and then she spoke, her voice soft. "I just needed air."
That hit harder than it should have, because I understood that. More than she realized. I knew what it was like to be trapped, to need a breath of fresh air.
"I was scared," she added, her voice barely audible.
Something inside me snapped, not in anger, but in something worse, something I didn't understand. My jaw clenched, and I felt a cold, calculated rage building up inside me.
"I'll handle it," I said, my voice firm and authoritative.
Her eyes widened slightly. "Handle what?"
"The people behind it," my voice turned cold again, controlled, familiar. "They won't touch you again. Because if they do" I paused, the thought sending a shiver down my spine. "I’ll burn everything."
Author's POV
Bianca stood just outside the hallway, silent and still, listening intently to every word, every shift in tone, and every change in Damian's voice while trying to remain calm so she won't be caught. Her nails dug into her palm slowly as she pieced together the fragments of their conversation. He was different with Brenda, softer and more controlled, a side of him she had never seen before. The man she knew was ruthless, calculating, and merciless, but this... this was something new. Her lips curved into a faint smile, but her eyes remained cold, sharp, and calculating.
"So," she whispered under her breath, "this is what she does to you." She leaned slightly against the wall, replaying everything she had just heard. He brought her food, stayed with her, spoke gently, and even argued differently. This wasn't the Damian she knew, the man who used to make people tremble just by walking into a room. This was... dangerous.
Because it meant one thing. He was changing, and Bianca hated change, especially when it didn't benefit her in anyway. Her gaze darkened as she processed the implications and how this could bring an end to the benefits she was getting from Damian.
"I underestimated you, Brenda..." A mistake, one she wouldn't make again. She straightened, smoothing down her dress, and her expression softened instantly, perfect, controlled, and harmless. But beneath it, a storm brewed.
"If you're becoming important..." she murmured, "then you're becoming a threat." And Bianca Hughes didn't tolerate threats.