******
Clara’s face cracked into a twisted, heartbreaking scream.
“DAMIAN PLEASE! I LOVE YOU! I DID EVERYTHING FOR….”
“No,” he said quietly.
“You did everything for yourself.”
The officers pulled her out forcibly this time kicking, screaming, crying, still calling Damian’s name like a madwoman.
Owen followed, silent and hollow-eyed, cuffed and defeated.
The doors slammed shut.
Silence.
Thick. Heavy. Trembling.
Emery’s knees gave out.
Damian caught her instantly, arms securing her, pressing her close.
She sobbed against his chest, shaking, broken, exhausted.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered against her hair.
“I’m so sorry, Emery. For everything I did. For everything you suffered. For not protecting you. For not listening. For not believing.”
Gabriel lowered his gaze, quietly turning
