At that moment, without wasting any more time, Damien then stood up slowly from where he was seated. His movement was calm, yet powerful. It wasn’t rushed, and it wasn’t loud but there was something about the way he moved that filled the entire room with pressure.Immediately Joe’s heart skipped a beat the moment Damien rose.The heavy silence made the moment even more terrifying.Victoria’s father, kept his eyes on Damien. His fingers clenched tightly around the armrest of his chair, trying to act normal, trying to look brave. But the way Damien walked without saying a single word slow and deliberate, straight toward him… it made his stomach twist.However Damien didn’t stop until he got to him.Then, like he owned the place, Damien slowly pull out a chair beside Joe and take a seat. The sound of the chair dragging across the floor sent a small chill down Joe’s spine. At that moment Damien then calmly crossed one leg over the other, straightened his back, and tilted his face just a

At that moment, hearing what Damien just said the cold, unapologetic way he admitted to killing them, the disgust in his voice when he spoke of the dead as “bad eggs,” “rotten,” and unworthy of life it sent something sharp and bitter twisting deep inside Joe’s chest. Every syllable Damien uttered felt like a blade stabbing through his pride, his grief, and everything he thought he had control over.Victoria’s father, trembled where he sat. His lips quivered, and his eyes, now swollen with both sorrow and fury, burned into Damien’s with helpless anger. His voice was low and shaky, but his words cut through the silence.“You… You killed them… and you sit here… mocking them?” Joe’s breath hitched, but he pushed forward. “You bastard. You have no soul none!”He tried to lift his hand, even though his body betrayed him. He was old. Weak. His bones ached with age and emotion, but in that moment, none of it mattered. He just wanted to strike Damien. Even if it was the last thing he ever did,

At that moment, hearing what Damien just said, Sophia couldn't help but smile. It wasn't one of those fake or polite smiles it was a genuine, heartfelt one. Her cheeks lifted slightly, her eyes softened, and a little sigh escaped her lips. For a moment, she didn’t say anything. She just listened to the quiet static on the line, the deep breath Damien took on the other end, and let the moment hang between them.Then, she finally spoke, her voice gentle but playful.“Damien,” she said softly, “you have to promise me something first. I want you to say you will do whatever I ask, no matter what it is.”Damien narrowed his eyes as he leaned back in the driver's seat. He looked at the screen of his phone, almost as if he could see her face through it. A tired chuckle escaped his lips. “You want me to sign a blank check with my words, Sophia? You know I don't just say yes without knowing what I'm getting into.”Sophia let out a small laugh. “That's exactly why I'm asking you now. Because I k

At that moment, upon hearing what Damien just said, Sophia froze. Her eyes widened so much, it was like the world paused around her. Her lips parted, but no words came out yet. She held the phone tighter against her ear, making sure she heard him right.“Damien,” she whispered, then said louder, her voice shaking between surprise and joy, “Damien, are you really serious about this? Like... you want to come?” Her voice was rising, mixed with excitement and doubt. “Like, even if you said no, I wouldn’t be angry. I swear. But you really want to come? You’re serious?”Immediately her feet started pacing the living room without her realizing. Her cheeks had turned pink, and her eyes were shining like she was about to tear up.On the other side of the phone, Damien’s voice came calm and sure, “Yes, I want to come. Send me the address.”That was it. That one answer made her knees buckle a little. She had to lean against the couch just so she wouldn't fall. Her heart was beating too fast. She

At that moment, Sophia stood tall, her voice calm but filled with weight. There was no more fire in her tone, only a quiet, controlled storm.“Well,” she said, her eyes not breaking away from her grandfather, “if that’s really what you think… if that’s your belief… then fine.”Her lips pressed together, and she took in a breath. Her fingers curled slightly by her sides.“I don’t have the strength to exchange words with anybody anymore. Not today. Not when I know nothing I say will change your mind.”She paused, her chest rising slowly.“I don’t have the strength to argue with you. But at least keep this in mind…”She pointed gently at her own chest. “What you did? It was wrong. And no matter how you try to wrap it up, or what name you call it, it doesn’t make it right. You betrayed someone who saved you. Someone who never asked for anything in return.”Her voice cracked just a little, but she steadied it.“And I’m not going to support that. I can’t stand behind it.”She glanced betwee