Chapter 7:The Rules of His Heart
434 Words
After the frightening encounter, Damien insisted on driving Aria home himself.
The ride was silent. Rain tapped softly against the windows while the city lights blurred into colorful streaks. Aria stared out the window, trying to make sense of everything that had happened.
Finally, she broke the silence.
“Who were those men?”
Damien kept his eyes on the road. “People who think hurting you will make me weak.”
“But why me? I barely know you.”
“That doesn’t matter to them.”
His answer only deepened her confusion.
When they arrived at her apartment building, Damien stepped out first and looked around carefully before opening her door.
“You don’t have to do this,” Aria said.
“I do.”
She folded her arms. “You’re acting like I’m in the middle of a war.”
His expression darkened.
“You are.”
Those two words sent a chill through her.
Damien walked her to the entrance and waited until she unlocked the door.
Before she went inside, she turned to face him.
“I don’t understand you,” she admitted. “One moment you’re cold and distant. The next, you’re risking your life to protect me.”
For a brief second, Damien looked away.
“There are rules I live by,” he said quietly.
“What kind of rules?”
“I never break my word.”
“And?”
“I never abandon someone under my protection.”
Aria searched his face. Behind his calm expression was a man carrying responsibilities far heavier than anyone could imagine.
“But there’s one rule you should know,” Damien continued.
“What is it?”
“I don’t let people get close to me.”
“Why?”
“Because everyone who gets close eventually gets hurt.”
His voice was steady, but Aria could hear the pain hidden beneath it.
She wanted to ask more, but she knew he wouldn’t answer.
As Damien turned to leave, he paused without looking back.
“Stay inside tonight. Don’t open the door for anyone except me or my security team.”
Aria nodded.
“I will.”
Damien got into his car and drove away, disappearing into the night.
Standing by her window, Aria watched until the car was out of sight.
She realized that despite his wealth, power, and intimidating reputation, Damien Voss had built invisible walls around his heart.
And for the first time, she wondered if those walls had been built to protect himself…
Or to protect everyone else from the dangerous life he lived.
- Writer
