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His wild eyes scan the room, landing on me with an intensity that leaves me breathless. Relief floods his features, and without a word, he strides toward me. My pulse quickens, unsure of what to expect from this man who has always been shrouded in mystery.
“Annalise,” Damian murmurs, his voice rough with emotion. He reaches out and takes my hand, his touch far gentler than I ever imagined possible. Surprised by his tenderness, I can’t help but stare into his piercing blue eyes, searching for answers amidst the storm of emotions swirling within them.
“Damian,” I breathe, my heart pounding against my chest. A thousand questions dance in my mind, but as his thumb strokes the back of my hand, I find myself drawn into the depth of his gaze, forgetting everything but the feel of his skin against mine.
“Thank God you’re awake,” he says, his voice cracking slightly. It’s so unlike the stoic, unyielding man I’ve come to know, and a part of me wonders if this is all just a dream.
“Thanks to you,” I reply, unable to keep the gratitude from my voice. Yet, even as I say the words, I can’t help but question his motives. Why would Damian, of all people, go to such lengths for me?
“Damian?” My voice trembles with uncertainty as I search his eyes for an answer, desperate for some semblance of understanding amidst the whirlwind of emotions that threaten to consume me. “Why did you…?”
“Because,” he interrupts, his gaze unwavering, “I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you.”
“Wait,” I say, my voice trembling as I try to process his words. “What about your marriage plans? Aren’t you supposed to marry someone else?”
Damian’s eyes darken, and he shakes his head, gripping my hand tighter. “None of that matters now. All I want, all I’ve ever wanted, is you.”
My heart races, torn between hope and fear. I can’t deny the desire burning in his gaze, but I know it won’t be easy to trust him after everything we’ve been through. His declaration sends a shiver down my spine, as if acknowledging the magnitude of his confession.
“Damian, I…” I struggle to find words, my thoughts a chaotic mess as I try to make sense of this new reality.
“Annalise,” he growls, frustration etched across his face. “Why did you go out alone? You’re pregnant! Do you have any idea how worried we were?”
I narrow my eyes at Nikhil, who smirks at me with a sly grin. He had mentioned my pregnancy without missing a beat, clearly enjoying the shock on Damian’s face.
“Look, I didn’t mean to cause any trouble,” I say defensively, my heart pounding in my chest. “But I needed some time to think, and…and I didn’t think anyone would care enough to come after me.”
Damian’s features soften as he gazes into my eyes, his grip on my hand gentler now. “We care, Annalise. More than you could ever know.”
The weight of Damian’s hand on mine is grounding, a comforting anchor amidst the whirlwind of emotions. I watch as realization dawns on his face, his eyes widening in shock at Nikhil’s revelation.
“Annalise,” he murmurs, “you’re pregnant?”
I nod hesitantly, unsure of what to expect from him. His expression shifts, a smile slowly spreading across his rugged features. “That’s… that’s incredible news.”
“Really?” I ask, my voice wavering with uncertainty.
“Of course,” he confirms, his blue eyes shining with warmth. “It means you’re carrying our future, Annalise.”
A surge of relief washes over me, but it’s short-lived as another thought crosses my mind. My gaze darts around the room, settling on the empty space where Cassius should be.
“Where’s Cassius?” I ask, anxiety creeping into my voice. “Why isn’t he here?”
At the mention of his name, both Damian and Nikhil’s faces turn ghostly white. It’s as if the air has been sucked out of the room, and I can feel my chest tightening with each passing second.
“Wh-what happened to him?” I stammer, struggling to maintain my composure.
“Annalise, please don’t panic,” Nikhil pleads, his voice strained. “Just try to breathe, okay?”
I attempt to sit up, my heart hammering against my rib cage. The room spins as I push myself upright, but I refuse to back down. “Tell me,” I demand, my voice cracking under the pressure of my mounting fear. “Tell me what happened to Cassius.”
“Annalise, please,” Damian urges, his hand pressing against my shoulder, trying to ease me back onto the bed. “You need to stay calm for the baby.”
“I can’t stay calm until I know!” I cry out, desperation clawing at my throat.
“Okay, okay,” Damian relents, his own voice breaking. “Cassius…he was shot.”
The world comes to a screeching halt. Every breath, every heartbeat seems to cease as the enormity of his words crashes down upon me like an avalanche, threatening to bury me alive in a torrent of grief and anguish.
