Reporters filed out and the mansion was still.
Amelia stood at the window watching the last car fade down the street, the gates closing behind it, everything going back to quiet.
But her heart was still pounding and her hands were a little shaky.
She pressed them to the glass, using its coolness to steady herself.
Damien stood behind her, not touching her but close enough for her to feel him.
‘You done good.
Weakly she laughed.
“I feel like I ran a marathon.”
“Normal.” “Normal?”
His face grew gentle.
“You just denounced your father publicly, in front of the whole town.” He came closer.
“Let yourself breathe.
“I don’t have time.
“Who?”
“The court cases.
Media.
“Edward Kane.” Her voice broke.
“It ain’t over yet.
He took her by the hand.
“No. Isn’t it.” His thumb brushed her knuckles.
“But you don’t have to face it alone.”
The words wrapped around her chest, warm and steady and safe.
“I don’t know how to take help.” “I know.” “Then why do you keep offering?”
“Because you are worth the help.
The confession was soft and she looked away first but didn’t withdraw her hand.
The silence stretched, now comfortable, until footsteps approached.
Sophia stood in the doorway, her face full of worry.
“Amelia turn on the news.”
Amelia felt sick to her stomach.
‘What has happened?’
Sophia pointed to the TV.
“Just switch it on.”
Damien took the remote and the screen came to life.
The voice of a news presenter filled the room.
“Breaking news,” the anchor said.
“Richard Laurent arrested after boardroom exposure.” “Sources say Laurent was taken into custody earlier today.
The charges include fraud, conspiracy and murder.
The footage was of her father walking out of Laurent Group Headquarters, his hands cuffed behind his back, his face pale, his eyes empty.
Amelia’s heart stopped as she watched him disappear into the police car, the door closing, the car pulling away.
Gone.
Damien’s hand found hers, gave it a light squeeze.
She didn’t stir.
Did not say.
She hadn’t been able to hear the anchor or the experts analyzing or the reporters offering opinions, and she’d been watching.
All she could see was her father’s face.
The man who had ruled her whole life, sitting now in the back of a police car.
Beaten.
Brocken.
She should have been happy.
But she was hollow.
Sophia moved forward.
“Amelia?”
“Ye look sick.”
Amelia chuckled softly.
“I am not ok.
She looked at the screen again.
Part of me still wants to believe he loved me.
Damien’s hand tightened a little.
“Even after all,” she continued.
“After the murder, even.
Even after Sophia.
She rubbed her eyes hard.
‘Stupid part of me still wants a daddy.’
Damien stepped in front of her, his voice low.
“That ain’t dumb.
That’s human.
His eyes met hers.
“Wanting love is not weakness. It’s survival.”Damien…
He stroked her face softly.
“You deserved better.”
Then the tears began, uncontrollable now, and she cried in his arms—for her father, for herself, for the childhood she would never have.
He held her.
He said nothing.
He gave her time.
She just held her.
Sophia stood in the doorway, her own face wet with tears, but she didn’t interrupt, she didn’t intrude.
She just let Amelia experience it.
Amelia then pulled back and wiped her eyes “I hate crying.” “I know,” Damien said softly.
“Don’t say that.
His hand found her chin.
I can’t promise that.
Sophia walked in.
“Are you alright?
Amelia drew a shaky breath.
“Almost there.” “Cut it out,” Sophia said.
Damien, Sophia, Amelia the three of them stood together.
Survivors.
The news was playing in the background, but Amelia did not hear it.
All she could feel was Damien’s hand, warm and steady, and underneath all the pain, something else as well.
Hope.
She glanced at him.
“What happens now?” “Now we fight the other battles.” “Edward?” “Yes.” “The legal stuff?” “Yes.” “The media?”
“Yes.
She nodded.
Slowly.
Ok, so let’s begin.
‘It’s started already,’ he said.
She frowned.
“Huh?”
His hand went to his phone.
I’ve already got protection.
Legal advice.
“You planned the whole thing?”
His face softened.
“I was trying to keep you safe.” “Damien”
“None of me needs thanking.” He stepped forward.
“Just hang on. Softly the word dropped. Stay? With me. Through all that.”
Her heart hammered.
“I don’t know what that means.
He smiled faintly.
“Neither do I.
His hand found hers.
“But I would like to find out with you.
Sophia smiled from the doorway, then quietly stepped back, leaving them space.
Amelia glanced at Damien.
I’m afraid.” “I know.
“But I want to try.
He tightened his grip softly.
That’s all I want.
The television muttered in the background.
The world outside went on.
But inside the mansion all was still.
She looked at him.
“Thank you.”
He cocked his head.
“Why?”
“For staying.
The words were soft.
Sincere.
There was something different in his face: vulnerable, open.
“I am not going anywhere.”
And this time she believed.
For the first time in years she really believed someone.
Damien Vale, the man she’d married for revenge, was the only man who made her feel safe now.
She edged forward and then her forehead was pressed against his and the heat of him flowed through her.
“Damien.” “Yeah?”
“Falling for you.
I think.
His breath caught.
“I think I’m already down.
The words were between them.
She pulled away a little and looked into his eyes and everything she ever needed seemed to be right there waiting.
“Then let us both fall together.
He smiled, the true smile, the smile that reached his eyes.
All together.
Sophia peeked through the door, tears on her face, tears of happiness, not of fear.
Amelia caught her friend’s eye and smiled a little.
Sophia nodded and then went away leaving them to themselves.
Amelia glanced at Damien.
Before them was the future, uncertain, scary, unknown.
But for the first time she wasn’t afraid of it.
Because Damien walked beside her now, hand in hand, And together they could take on anything.