shadows closing in
722 Words
The next morning began like any other—or so I tried to convince myself. Lucas chattered happily over breakfast, his little hands smearing yogurt across the table. I smiled, trying to focus on the present, on the fragile peace we had carved.
But the unease never left. Damian was in the living room, playing quietly with Lucas, his gray eyes soft but alert, scanning every corner as though he could see danger before it arrived.
And I couldn’t shake the text from last night:
“He knows. And soon, everyone else will too. Be ready.”
Who knew? Who had found out about Lucas? And how had they discovered the secret I had guarded for five years?
A Subtle Warning
It wasn’t long before the first warning came in the form of a car parked suspiciously outside the building. At first, I thought it was coincidence—a delivery truck or a neighbor. But Damian noticed immediately, his sharp gaze narrowing.
“Calla,” he said quietly, pulling me aside. “Do you see that car?”
I followed his line of sight. “I… yes. But it could just be—”
“Don’t lie to me,” he interrupted, his voice low and dangerous. “Someone is watching. Someone knows about Lucas.”
My stomach dropped. Damian was right, of course. There was no way he could be wrong. But fear coiled around my chest like a snake. “What do we do?” I whispered.
Forced Cooperation
Damian’s presence was overwhelming, commanding, and yet somehow comforting. Despite my fear, a part of me leaned into him, craving the protection he exuded.
“We protect him. Together,” Damian said firmly, placing a hand on my shoulder. “No one will get close to him—not while I’m around.”
I nodded, swallowing hard. My heart raced, not just from fear, but from the intensity of his gaze, the way he held me in place without touching me.
Flashback – A Shared Moment
I remembered one night, years ago, when Damian had quietly held my hand as we walked through the city streets. “I’ll always protect you,” he had whispered, his voice barely audible over the hum of traffic.
I had left him anyway, thinking I could do it alone. But now, facing a threat that neither of us could ignore, I understood the truth: we were stronger together.
Lucas’ Bond with Damian
Lucas, oblivious to the tension, ran toward Damian with a toy car in hand. “Look! I fixed it!”
Damian smiled, his gray eyes softening. “That’s amazing, Lucas. You’re so smart.”
My chest warmed as I watched the interaction. Lucas was forming a bond with his father, a bond I had feared would never exist. And Damian… Damian’s protective instincts were in full force, every movement around Lucas careful, measured.
The Threat Escalates
By evening, the danger became more tangible. A shadowy figure appeared near the building entrance, watching from across the street. Damian noticed immediately, his jaw tightening.
“They’re scouting,” he muttered. “Preparing. We need to move Lucas somewhere safe—now.”
My heart pounded. “Where? We can’t just leave everything behind!”
Damian’s eyes softened briefly at my panic, but the steel returned quickly. “We don’t have a choice. His safety comes first. Always.”
Romantic Tension and Possessiveness
As we packed essentials and prepared to leave, Damian’s hand brushed mine. The touch was brief but electrifying. My heart stuttered.
“You don’t have to be afraid,” he said quietly, reading the fear in my eyes. “I’m not leaving. I won’t let anything happen to you or Lucas.”
I swallowed hard, emotions swirling—fear, relief, longing, and the undeniable pull of the man I had loved and left.
Cliffhanger – Flight into Danger
We stepped outside, Lucas holding my hand tightly. Damian was beside us, alert, scanning every street and alley.
And then, the shadowy figure moved. A car engine roared. Someone was following us.
Damian’s hand gripped mine firmly, and his voice was a low growl: “Hold on. It’s starting.”
My heart raced. I realized, with a sick twist in my stomach, that our lives—our fragile happiness—would never be the same.
- Writer
