Damien’s POV
I was driving through the city alone that afternoon, heading to pick up Elara from her final meeting with her college advisor. The sun was bright, but my mind was calm for the first time in weeks. My girl had graduated. She had made peace with her past. She was finally moving forward, and I was proud of her more than words could say.
Then I saw him.
Kael.
He was standing outside a small restaurant, wearing an old shirt and faded jeans, holding a piece of paper that looked like a job application. His shoulders were slumped. He looked thinner, exhausted, and broken. The arrogant boy I once knew was gone. What remained was someone who had lost everything.
It felt too strange seeing him like this.
I slowed the car and pulled over to the side of the road. My hands tightened o
