The next morning came too fast
Emma woke up to sunlight spilling through the tall windows
She reached for the other side of the bed
It was empty
She sat up
Her heart already uneasy
She walked out into the hallway
Damon stood in the kitchen
Pouring coffee
Dressed in a black tailored suit
His jaw sharper than ever
His expression unreadable
Good morning
She said softly
He turned
His eyes softened the moment they landed on her
Morning
She stepped closer
The silence between them was not cold
Just calm
He handed her a cup
Black
Hot
You didn't sleep much
She said
Neither did you
She smiled
Fair point
He leaned against the counter
Are you still sure you want to come with me today
I'm not just sure
I need to
He nodded once
The kind of nod that wasn't for her
But for himself
Then get ready
We leave in an hour
She finished her coffee and disappeared into the walk-in closet
Damon sat down slowly
Opened his phone
There were missed calls from a number he hadn't saved
He knew who it was
He didn't need a name to remember the voice
The family estate was a fortress in marble
High gates
Red carpets
And a hundred secrets buried beneath the stone
Emma stepped out of the car
Wearing a dark green dress that made her eyes shine
Her hair fell in soft waves
And her presence made the air stop
Damon offered his hand
She took it without hesitation
The doors opened before them
A butler bowed
They walked through the long hallway
Portraits lined the walls
Of old men in darker suits
Women in cold pearls
She leaned in
Is this the family or a haunted museum
He didn't smile
But his eyes flicked with amusement
Both
At the center of the main room stood his father
Tall
Thin
Tired
And beside him
A woman in red
Her lips were too thin
Her eyes too sharp
She looked at Emma like she was dirt tracked in on polished marble
So
This is the wife
The woman said coldly
Emma smiled
Yes
And you must be the stepmother
Damon's father stepped forward
Emma
Welcome
She shook his hand
He held it for a moment too long
Like he was trying to understand something he couldn't quite grasp
We didn't expect you to bring her
The stepmother said
And that's why I did
Damon replied
The room filled slowly
Relatives
Investors
Watchers pretending to be family
They whispered
They looked
Emma stood taller
She didn't just survive this room
She owned it
She moved like someone born to it
But with warmth instead of arrogance
Damon noticed
Everyone noticed
The stepmother leaned close
You may think this is impressive
But you're just a phase
He's had others before you
Emma leaned closer
Then you should have raised better men
The woman's face darkened
But Emma had already turned away
They sat at a long table
Lunch was served
Fine plates
Colder conversation
Someone asked Damon about the company
He answered in clipped sentences
Emma listened
Memorized everything
A man down the table spoke
I heard you're expanding into medical research again
Isn't that risky after what happened with Samantha
The room froze
Emma's hand found Damon's under the table
She squeezed once
Damon looked up
Samantha's loss is the reason we're moving forward
Not a reason to stop
The stepmother's fork clinked on her plate
Some wounds don't heal with ambition Damon
No
He said
But doing nothing doesn't heal them either
Emma leaned in
Some wounds don't heal with bitterness either
But here we are
The woman stared at her
After the meal
Damon and Emma walked through the garden
That was reckless
He said
Was it
Or did someone finally say what you've always wanted to say
He stopped
Turned to her
You have no idea how dangerous she can be
Then why did you bring me
Because I didn't want to stand alone anymore
Emma stepped forward
Then stop trying to protect me by pushing me away
You don't have to face this alone Damon
Not anymore
He looked at her
So much inside him trying to break the surface
You scare me
He whispered
Because you see me
And I don't know how to be seen without being broken
Then let me help you rebuild
He reached out
Touched her face
I'm trying
I know
They left soon after
Back in the car
Silence returned
But this time
It was not fear
It was weight
Something was changing
Shifting
Emma leaned her head on his shoulder
We'll survive this Damon
Together
He didn't speak
But he laid his hand over hers
And held it there
All the way home