“Simple.” He leaned and kissed my cheek.
Simple, he gave me simple, in all the things we did for the next few hours, in how we ate right there on the counter, our legs swinging, sharing one bowl, stealing bites from each other like kids. He gave me simple, and I basked in it, and somehow, the house did too. In the way it felt warm, quiet, kind, home…almost.
“Elena,” he said gently as he did the dishes, after the laughter had settled. “He’s still here,” he continued, turning to me with wet hands and eyes that flickered upward like he was listening for something only he could hear.
My stomach dipped, and I looked around, hoping I would find him, see him. “Now?”
“Always.” He took a slow breath. “We need to set him free, or let him finish whatever he started. Either way, it’ll be freedom for him.”
I stared at the pasta bowl like it could protect me. “Free,” I repeated softly as something squeezed in my chest, like I was getting ready to say goodbye to a lover.
He nodded. “It’s the only way to end this safely.”
I swallowed. “I need to know too…who he is. Why me? Why Us? How he knew you?” my voice trembled only a little. “I just want to know these things first.”
Damian’s hand brushed my thigh, steadying me. “We’ll find out today, I know it, and I feel connected to him, in a way I don’t understand yet. It’s like still having feelings from a dream you can’t remember.” The words warmed me and chilled me all at once.
“Tonight, we’ll end this?” I asked, sounding sadder than I intended.
“I’m with you, Elena, only leaving when you ask me to.” He kissed my cheek again.
“I did, you sort of came back,” I chuckled.
“I did that, didn’t I?” He turned back to the sink. “Guess I’m stuck with you now.”
We laughed lightly and continued talking about the simple things, then proceeded to the living room, like people trying to pretend the world hadn’t shifted. We spent the afternoon wrapped in a blanket that smelled faintly like him, laughing at scenes in rom-coms, and stealing glances that lasted too long.For a few hours, life was soft, normal, beautiful in its borrowed way, and beneath all of it pulsed a truth neither of us wanted to say out loud: midnight was coming, and so was he.
Chapter Sixteen
Elena
The night came quietly, calmer than it usually did, not in the peaceful way, or in the way that suggested safety, but in a way that pressed against your skin like a warm palm, whispering secrets you couldn’t hear yet. The candles flickered in a gentle rhythm, their flames steadier than before, like they had finally accepted the madness Damian and I were about to invite into the room.
When he finished the setup, he sat down with his legs crossed inside the circle and nodded for me to join. Our knees touched immediately, warm against each other, and even the smallest contact grounded me like nothing else had. Damian had somehow become an anchor, the type I didn’t think I needed, but got either way.
“You look beautiful in this lighting,” he smiled at me, like he knew I needed something to focus on.
“Do you always compliment your clients?” I smirked.
“Just the ones I’ve cooked for,” he shrugged.
I shook my head. “And how many would that be?” I asked, as I watched him pretend to count.
“Urmm…” he thought, “Just one actually, and I’m telling her she looks beautiful in candlelight.”
That made me giggle, and I felt my shoulders relax a little. Then, he checked the time. “It’s almost time,” he smiled at me, and I nodded, bracing myself for what was to come. “Elena…” he called, and I smiled at him.
“Yes?”
“Happy Birthday…I’m glad you made it to see this one.” He cupped my face ever so gently. “And I hope you let me see the rest with you.” He kissed me.
I smiled, and almost cried as his words settled in my chest. “Are you inviting yourself to my future birthday parties?” I arched a brow at him.
“Yes, yes, I am,” he chuckled.
“Thank you, Damian,” I said, and I nodded, feeling slightly more relaxed now.
He took a deep breath and positioned himself again. “Stay calm for me,” he murmured, his voice weaving into the candlelight. “And whatever you do, Elena… don’t look at the mirror.”
