Chapter 229

DAMIEN

The doctor’s voice was calm and professional as she reviewed the discharge papers one last time.

“Mr. Rossi, you’re very lucky. No broken bones, no internal bleeding, mild concussion, and the lacerations are clean. We’ve stitched the deeper cuts, and the bruises will heal with time. Rest. No strenuous activity for at least two weeks. Pain medication as needed. Follow up with your primary physician in three days. Any dizziness, severe headache, or increased bleeding…come back immediately.”

I nodded, barely listening. My eyes were on Brielle the entire time. She sat beside me on the hospital bed, one hand resting protectively on her rounded belly, the other gripping mine like she was afraid I might disappear if she let go. Her eyes were still red from crying, but there was a small, tired smile on her face now. She looked exhausted, beautiful, and so damn strong it made my chest ache.

“Understood,” I said, signing the papers quickly. “Can we go home now?”

The doctor smiled faintly. “Yes. Take it easy. And congratulations on the baby.”

Brielle let out a soft laugh, the sound watery but real. “Thank you. We’re ready to go home.”

I stood up slowly, ignoring the pull of the stitches across my chest and the dull throb in my jaw. Brielle was instantly at my side, slipping her arm around my waist like she could steady me. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, pulling her close, careful not to put any pressure on her belly.

“You’re supposed to be the one resting,” I murmured against her hair as we walked slowly toward the exit. “Not playing nurse for me.”

She tilted her head up, giving me that stubborn look I loved so much. “You were kidnapped and tortured because of my book. The least I can do is help you get home. Besides, I need to be with you. I couldn’t stand another second in that penthouse without you.”

I kissed the top of her head, breathing her in. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”

The car ride home was quiet at first. The city lights blurred past the windows as I kept one hand on her thigh and the other on the wheel. Brielle leaned against me, her head on my shoulder, one hand resting on her belly. I loved watching them like this…my wife and my daughter, safe and together.

But my mind wouldn’t stop replaying the last twenty-four hours.

The stalker.. the woman had been arrested. Jack’s team had stormed the warehouse just in time. She was in custody now, ranting about “freeing the light” and how I was the Shadow King who needed to fall. The police had taken her away screaming my wife’s name. She would be charged with kidnapping, assault, and whatever else they could throw at her. Jack had assured me the case was airtight. She wasn’t getting out anytime soon.

But the fear… God, the fear had been real.

When that needle had gone into my neck in the garage, when the darkness had pulled me under, my last thought had been of Brielle. Of Aurora. Of the possibility that I might never see them again. That the last memory Brielle would have of me was me storming out after our fight, slamming the door behind me like a coward. That my daughter might grow up hearing stories about a father who wasn’t there because he had failed to protect his family.

I had never been so terrified in my life.

I tightened my grip on Brielle’s thigh, grounding myself in the warmth of her skin. She must have felt the shift because she looked up at me, eyes soft with concern.

“You okay?” she asked gently.

I nodded, forcing a small smile. “Yeah. Just… thinking.”

She squeezed my hand. “Well, stop thinking and listen to me instead. The doctor said no strenuous activity. That means no gym, no heavy lifting, no carrying me around like I’m a fragile doll even though I kind of am right now. You’re also supposed to rest. A lot. And take the pain meds even if you think you’re too tough for them.”

I raised an eyebrow, the corner of my mouth twitching. “The tables have switched, huh? Now you’re the one giving me orders?”

She grinned, poking my arm. “Exactly. Payback for all those spreadsheets and ‘Luna, don’t move’ lectures. No working from home either if it means staring at your laptop for hours. I’ll know if you’re cheating. I have eyes everywhere.”

I chuckled, the sound low and tired but genuine. “Eyes everywhere? You sound like a mafia wife now. Should I be worried?”

“Very worried,” she said, trying to look stern but failing as another smile broke through. “I’m going to be the strict one for once. You’re on couch duty. Feet up. I’ll bring you snacks. Maybe even feed you grapes if you’re good.”

“Grapes, huh?” I teased, glancing at her. “Only if you sit with me the whole time. And if those snacks include your weird pregnancy combos, I’m stealing half.”

“Deal,” she said, laughing softly. “But no complaining when I dip the grilled cheese in mango juice. It’s gourmet pregnancy cuisine.”

I shook my head, smiling despite the aches in my body. “You’re going to make me regret agreeing to this, aren’t you?”

“Probably,” she replied, leaning her head back on my shoulder. “But you love me anyway.”

“Unfortunately, yes,” I said, kissing the top of her head. “Even when you’re bossy and making me eat weird shit.”

We fell into a comfortable silence for a few minutes, the city lights passing by. Then she spoke again, voice lighter but still carrying that protective edge.

“And no arguing with the nurses when they call to check on you. You’re going to rest. Really rest. I know you, Damien. You’ll try to sneak in a meeting or check emails the second I turn my back.”

I grinned. “You know me too well. But fine. I’ll behave. As long as you promise not to overdo it either. You’re still on bed rest, remember? No more rushing to hospitals in the middle of the night because your stubborn husband got himself kidnapped.”

She laughed, the sound bright and healing. “Deal. We’ll both be good. Or at least try to be. For Aurora.”

The car pulled into our building’s underground parking. I helped Brielle out carefully, then kept my arm around her the whole way up in the elevator. When we stepped into the penthouse, she let out a long, relieved breath and leaned into me.

“Welcome home,” she whispered.

I pulled her closer, ignoring the sharp pull of the stitches across my chest. The pain was nothing compared to the need to hold her. I buried my face in her hair, breathing her in

“I missed you so much,” I murmured, voice rough. “Every second I was gone, I was thinking about you. About coming home to you. About holding you like this. I’m never leaving you again, Luna. Never.”

She hugged me back tightly, careful of my injuries, her face pressed against my chest. “I missed you too. The penthouse felt so empty without you. I was so scared I’d never get to hold you again.”

We stood like that for a long time in the middle of the living room, just holding each other.

After a while, she pulled back slightly, looking up at me with those big, vulnerable eyes. “I know this is very soon and probably a terrible idea,” she said carefully, “but… can we go see her? The woman? Tomorrow. She’s in custody. I just want to talk to her. To make it clear that my book wasn’t what she thought it was. That you’re not the Shadow King she believes you are. That whatever intent she had about the book and you… it wasn’t that way. I need her to hear it from me. But if you don’t want me to go… I promise I won’t.”

I felt my whole body tense. The protective instinct flared immediately, sharp and fierce. The thought of Brielle anywhere near that woman  even behind bars made my blood run cold.

“Luna…” I started, voice low and strained. My hand moved instinctively to her belly, as if shielding Aurora from the very idea. “I can’t risk you. Not after what she did. She’s dangerous. Obsessed. She kidnapped me because she thought she was saving you from me. What if seeing you makes it worse? What if she says something that triggers you or stresses you out? You’re pregnant. You’ve already been through too much.”

She nodded, understanding my fear, but her eyes stayed determined. “I know. I’m scared too. But she’s in custody. She can’t hurt me there. I just… I need to close this chapter. My book started this in her mind. Maybe hearing it from me can end it. But if you don’t want me to go… I promise I won’t. I won’t do anything that makes you worry.”

I was quiet for a long moment, jaw tight, eyes searching hers. The battle inside me was brutal… the protective husband who wanted to lock her away from any danger versus the man who respected her strength and her need for closure.

Finally, I exhaled slowly, resting my forehead against hers. “Fine. You can go. But I’m coming with you. I’m not letting you face her alone. Not for one second.”

Her face lightened with relief, a small, grateful smile breaking through. “Alright. Fine,” she said, rolling her eyes playfully even as fresh tears pricked at them. “But you’re still recovering. You have to promise to take it easy.”

I chuckled softly, kissing the tip of her nose. “Deal. But only if you promise the same. No stress. No pushing yourself. We do this together, or not at all.”

She nodded, leaning into me again. “Together.”