part 27 : shadows and storms

Dominic

He hadn't expected her to walk away that

night.

The taste of her lips was still fresh on his

mind. But her absence left a bitter

aftertaste. He had spent hours trying to

convince himself that it was all just a

moment-that she'd return when she was

ready. But now, he was left with nothing but

unanswered questions

He didn't know what he expected. That

she'd be waiting for him? That she'd fall into

his arms, sobbing out her pain?

He sat in the dimly lit room, his mind

tangled between thoughts of her and the

games they'd both been playing. Was it his

fault? Was it hers?

He looked down at his phone-two unread

texts from her.

'Don't follow me.

It stung more than he expected

He gripped the phone in his hands, anger

bubbling under his skin, but he knew better

than to lash out. No, this wasn't the time to

let pride take over. This was the moment

where he needed to prove his patience

The room was still. He exhaled slowly and

put the phone down. There was something

in his gut teling him that this wasn't over.

He wasn't going to give up on her.

Damien

Damein had never been the type to let his

emotions show. But when Fiona had walked

away, his heart felt like it was ripping apart.

He had seen her with Dominic earlier

and that jealousy? It burned. He couldn't

explain it.

Fiona had always been there for him in ways

no one else had-supporting him, laughing

with him, just... being there. And now,

seeing her so torn, it left him cold. Every

step she took away from him felt like an

earthquake under his feet.

He hadn't spoken to her since, but it wasn't

just the thought of her with Dominic

that haunted him. It was the fear of losing

her completely

He didn't know what she was feeling, but he

couldn't shake the feeling that something

bigger than just attraction was at play here.

He ran a hand through his hair, sitting on the

edge of the bed in his hotel room. His phone

buzzed-an unknown number. He hesitated,

his heart pounding

It was her.

He opened the message, quickly reading the

words:

"Are you ready to see me break? You will."

It felt like a punch to his chest.

Damein's stomach turned. What was she

planning? He knew she wasn't one to play

games, but the threat of losing her to

someone else had triggered something

deep within him.

He stood up quickly, determination flashing

in his eyes. If she was going to break, he

was going to be there to stop it. But how?

Back to Fiona & Lucien

The weekend was quiet, peaceful. Lucien's

cello had continued to play soft melodies as

the days passed. But Fiona, while trying to

distract herself, couldn't ignore the pull of

what lay ahead. What would happen if she

faced Dominic or damein again? Would

she fall? Would she break?

Lucien had asked for nothing. He just let her

breathe.