Chapter 115
CINDY’S POV
I scoffed loudly.
Fucking pathetic, desperate bitch.
I wanted to cuss her out right there, but Damian, as if reading my mind, shook his head slightly, silently telling me to let it go.
I took a deep breath and nodded back in understanding.
“Damian was drunk that night,” Nancy continued. “I knew he thought I was you, Cindy. He kept saying your name, over and over. But I… I let it happen anyway. I wanted it to happen.”
Her hands trembled as she pressed them together harder.
“I was jealous. I’ve been jealous of you for so long. Of what you two have. I wanted to break what you had because I thought maybe… maybe then I’d have a chance.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks now, and she didn’t bother wiping them away.
“I hate myself for it,” she continued, her voice barely audible.
“I destroyed something beautiful, and I hurt both of you in the worst way. I was selfish and cruel, and I know sorry doesn’t fix it. I know I don’t deserve forgiveness. But I needed you to hear it from me, that it wasn’t Damian’s fault. He never wanted me. He was calling for you the whole time.”
She looked up then, eyes pleading, her face streaked with tears.
“I’m so sorry, Cindy. I’m so sorry, Damian. I’ll carry this shame for the rest of my life. I just… I needed you to know the truth.”
The room stayed silent for a long moment.
The hum of the machines suddenly felt louder, every beep echoing in my chest.
I stared at her, trying to reconcile the woman sobbing in front of me with the damage she had caused.
I felt Damian’s hand squeeze mine again, steady and warm, grounding me.
Nancy stood there, waiting, looking like she expected us to scream, to throw her out, anything but understanding.
I took a slow breath, the anger I thought would explode somehow quieter now, dulled by the raw remorse in front of me.
Damian spoke first. “Thank you for tellin’ us,” he said.
“It doesn’t change what happened, not really, but… it helps. It means somethin’.”
Nancy nodded, fresh tears falling. “I’ll go now. I just… I needed to say it.”
She turned toward the door, her shoulders shaking.
I glanced at Damian.
He met my eyes, and something passed between us, understanding, maybe the beginning of healing.
Nancy paused at the door, her hand on the handle, then looked back one last time.
“I hope… I hope you two find your way back. You deserve that.”
Then she was gone, the door closing softly behind her.
The room felt lighter somehow, like a weight we hadn’t even known we were carrying had finally shifted.
I looked at Damian, and he looked at me.
He pulled me into his chest, his strong arms wrapping around me tight, and I buried my face against him, muttering into his shirt, “I’m sorry, Damian. I’m so sorry. I should have believed you. I’m so sorry.”
He held me closer, one hand stroking my back, the other cradling the back of my head.
“It’s alright, baby,” he murmured, his voice soft and soothing.
“I know what you been through with Henry. The trust stuff, all of it, it don’t just disappear overnight. But it don’t own us anymore, yeah? We right here. Still standin’. Strong as hell.”
He kissed my hair.
“Just promise me you won’t ever let anyone get between us like that again. Promise you’ll talk to me, hear me out, even when it’s hard. We face things together. Like a real couple.”
I nodded against him, my tears soaking his hospital gown.
“I promise, Damian. I promise.”
Alaric cleared his throat behind us teasingly.
“We’re still here, guys. I hope you know that.”
I pulled back just enough to laugh, wiping my eyes.
“Someone’s jealous.”
Vicky grinned. “Just a little.”
I looked at Alaric. “Did you tell Dad we can’t make it anymore?”
He nodded.
“Yes. I told him what happened. He said to come here and check on you both before he figures out how to reschedule the cruise.”
Damian shook his head, sitting up a little straighter despite the wince that crossed his face.
“Ain’t no need to reschedule,” he said. “It’s just a few scratches here and there. Nothin’ serious. I’m good.”
I glared daggers at him.
“Nothing deep, but you can’t even breathe properly without wincing.”
He gave me a small, stubborn smile.
“Come on, Cin,” he said quietly.
“I’ll be alright. I gotta meet your dad as soon as I can. I gotta look him in the eye and show him I’m worthy of you. I don’t wanna lose you, Cindy. This matters to me. I don’t know when I’ll get another shot, and I ain’t messin’ it up.”
“You didn’t disappoint him,” I said gently.
“Dad’s rational. He understands this was beyond your control. But we need to talk to the doctor first.”
We called the doctor in. He came quickly, checking Damian’s vitals, asking questions about pain levels and mobility.
“He’s stable,” the doctor said after a thorough exam.
“He can be discharged tomorrow morning if he rests well enough tonight. He’ll need pain meds, a rib belt, and no heavy lifting or stress for at least two weeks. Walking is fine, encourage it actually, but slowly. If he follows instructions, he’ll be okay.”
Damian looked at me, his eyes pleading. “See? Told ya. I’m fine. Let’s go.”
I hesitated. “You need rest.”
Alaric stepped closer. “Let him rest tonight. First thing tomorrow morning, we fly to Athens. The cruise ship is waiting.”
I nodded slowly. “Okay.”
They said their goodbyes, Vicky and Alaric hugging us both before leaving.
The room quieted.
I turned to Damian, smiling softly at him.
Then the door opened again.
I thought they had forgotten something. “What’s up, guys? Did you forget—”
I turned, and the words died in my throat instantly.
It was Elis.