apter 44
After that day in the infirmary,everything changed.
With the twins in his arms,Damien took them on long walks. Selene had expected his return with a smile;instead he came back more broken each time. Those walks were not leisure–they were appointments with the most renowned healers across the continent.None offered a cure. Each report confirmed the same brutal truth:Liam and Aaron’s condition was incurable. With every passing day,hope thinned and Damien’s shoulders sank.
His physical presence remained–he never left Selene’s side–but his mind had drifted to a distant,darker shore. The teasing glances, the private warmth that once stole her breath,the small gestures that knit them together–those had all faded into an icy reserve.Damien’s coldness gnawed at Selene until she could no longer bear the
silence.
One afternoon,determined for answers, Selene walked into his cabin without knocking. He stood at the window,back to her,watching the city’s high–rises as if their mirrored faces could offer a solution he would not speak aloud.
“Damien,“she said softly.He did not turn.
She raised her voice,worry pushing the softness aside. “Damien,are you listening to me?”
No answer came. Tears pricked at her eyes as she moved close and wrapped her arms around him from behind.“What’s wrong?“she demanded.“Why are you doing this?Have I done something to deserve being shut out?”
“No.“His voice was raw,hoarse with fractures,but he still would not reveal his face.
“Do I even matter to you anymore?“Her fingers tightened on his shirt. “Or are you tired of me,like Adrian?”
“Selene!“Damien stiffened and finally turned,eyes rimmed red,emotions exposed.
“Isn’t it the truth?“She laughed once,a bitter,hollow sound.
“You’re not in your right mind,Selene. Go home.“His reply was meant to steady,but it felt like a push.
“Not in my right mind? How can I be all right when you ignore me?Why play with my heart?“She struck his chest with the small, frantic fists of someone who felt the floor. give beneath them.“If you don’t want me,say it and I’ll leave.”
He caught her wrists,holding them firmly.“Stop it,Selene, “he growled,voice low and trembling with something between anger and despair.“Stop saying things like that.” “Stupid words?“she cried. “Why should I hold back?You don’t speak to me. You don’t Before I left him, I was pregnant with his twins
14:31 Sat, Sep 27
Ø
No answer came. Tears pricked at her eyes as she moved close and wrapped her arms around him from behind.“What’s wrong?“she demanded.“Why are you doing this?Have I done something to deserve being shut out?”
“No.“His voice was raw,hoarse with fractures,but he still would not reveal his face.
“Do I even matter to you anymore?“Her fingers tightened on his shirt.“Or are you tired of me,like Adrian?”
“Selene!“Damien stiffened and finally turned,eyes rimmed red,emotions exposed.
“Isn’t it the truth?“She laughed once,a bitter,hollow sound.
“You’re not in your right mind,Selene. Go home.“His reply was meant to steady,but it felt like a push.
“Not in my right mind?How can I be all right when you ignore me? Why play with my heart?“She struck his chest with the small,frantic fists of someone who felt the floor give beneath them.“If you don’t want me,say it and I’ll leave.”
He caught her wrists,holding them firmly.“Stop it,Selene, “he growled,voice low and trembling with something between anger and despair.“Stop saying things like that.” “Stupid words?“she cried. “Why should I hold back?You don’t speak to me. You don’t
look at me.It feels as if I’ve already lost you.”
“Lost me?“The incredulous crack in his voice cut the room. “Do you think I’d let you go? I love you,damn it. Hear me–I love you.I will never let you go. You belong to me!” “No.I don’t belong to anyone.“Selene’s voice broke as she met his grey eyes,tears spilling. “What kind of man do you think you are?If you abandon me,I will not die of heartbreak–I will survive.“She lied to herself,but the lie steadied her steps.
“Enough with your tantrums,” he snapped.
“No,it’s not enough,“she answered.“If you won’t tell me the truth,I will walk away.” Damien released her wrists and cupped her face.“Selene Rivers–don’t you dare walk away from me.“He pressed a punishing kiss to her lips. For a moment the old warmth returned,but when he looked at her again the veil of secrecy settled back into his eyes. Selene’s lips trembled. “I don’t trust you anymore,“she whispered, and then she turned toward the exit,each step slow and resolute. Damien watched her go,the secret he carried closing him off like winter around his heart.
14:31 Sat, Sep 27
20
Chapter 45
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.