a fragile trust
728 Words
Calla Monroe’s POV
The apartment was quiet, but my mind was a storm. Lucas played nearby, blissfully unaware of the world shifting around him. Every laugh, every movement made my heart both swell with love and constrict with fear.
Damian’s words from yesterday echoed in my mind: “I will not wait forever. And I will not forgive lies.”
I couldn’t deny it. He had every right to be angry. To demand the truth. And yet… I feared what that truth could bring.
Damian’s Presence
He didn’t storm in this time. No dramatic entries, no ultimatums. Damian was patient, calculated, watching, like a shadow that had settled into my life.
“Calla,” he said softly from the doorway. “I know you’re scared. So am I. But hiding Lucas won’t keep him safe. Only I can protect him… and you.”
I froze. The way he said “and you” made my chest ache. Every memory of our past—the nights, the stolen moments, the warmth of his touch—came rushing back.
I swallowed hard. No. Not now. Focus on Lucas.
Flashback – Tender Moments
I remembered one night in his penthouse, city lights shimmering across the skyline. Damian had held me close, whispering softly:
“You’re the only one I’ve ever wanted, Calla. Only you.”
I had wanted to believe him, but fear had driven me away. I had thought I could protect myself, protect my heart, by leaving.
Now he was back, and the feelings I had buried were clawing their way to the surface.
Lucas’ Curiosity
Lucas toddled over, holding his toy car tightly. “Mommy… can he stay?”
I froze. His innocent question cut through the tension, making my chest ache.
“I… I don’t know, baby,” I said softly. “We have to… talk first.”
Damian knelt to Lucas’s level, his gray eyes softening. “Hi, Lucas. I’m your dad.”
Lucas blinked, curious. “Dad?”
“Yes,” Damian said gently. “I’m your dad. And I promise I’ll always protect you.”
I held my breath. Lucas looked back at me, confused but intrigued. Slowly, he smiled. “Okay.”
Romantic Tension
I felt my knees weaken. Damian’s presence was magnetic, overwhelming. Every protective, possessive instinct he displayed made my heart race.
“You trust me?” he asked quietly, voice low, dangerous, but tender.
I swallowed hard. “I… I want to. But it’s hard. I’ve spent five years protecting him… protecting us.”
He reached for my hand, brushing it lightly with his fingers. “I’ll earn your trust. All I want is to be part of your life… all three of us.”
The words were intoxicating, terrifying. I wanted to believe him. I wanted to feel safe in his arms again.
External Tension
The moment was fragile. The world outside my apartment was still dangerous. Damian’s enemies, my past choices, unknown threats—they all lurked just beyond our walls.
I knew trusting him fully could open doors to more pain. But hiding Lucas forever was no longer an option.
“I… I’ll try,” I whispered.
He smiled faintly, a mixture of victory and relief in his eyes. “That’s all I ask, Calla. One step at a time.”
Bonding Begins
Damian spent the day with us, careful not to overwhelm. He played with Lucas, teaching him simple games, laughing softly. Lucas’s laughter filled the apartment, a sound I hadn’t heard in years, and it warmed me in a way I didn’t expect.
I watched him from across the room, feeling the slow pull of emotions I thought were gone forever. Damian wasn’t just a threat now; he was a part of our lives—fragile, complicated, and necessary.
Cliffhanger – A New Threat Looms
As night fell, I prepared dinner, trying to maintain normalcy. The phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number:
“He knows. And soon, everyone else will too. Be ready.”
My stomach dropped. Someone else knew about Lucas… or Damian. And I realized, with a shiver, that our fragile bond could be shattered at any moment.
Damian didn’t see the message. He was in the living room, laughing with Lucas, blissfully unaware of the storm gathering beyond our walls.
And I knew—tonight, our lives had changed forever.
- Writer
