Damien exhaled slowly, nodding once.
“Hm. Good idea, Father.”
He was already reaching for his phone again.
Maya’s hand shot out.
Her fingers wrapped around his wrist, stopping him mid-motion.
“Stop.”
The single word was soft—but firm.
He looked down at her, surprised.
She lifted her chin, lips pressing into a small pout she didn’t even try to hide. “Fine. I won’t go to the concert anymore, okay?” Her voice dipped, just enough. “Are you satisfied now?”
The silence that followed was immediate.
Then—
“Wait—what?!” Harper’s voice burst through the speaker, sharp with disbelief.
Damien felt it at once.
Guilt.
Instant. Unwelcome. Piercing.
“Maya…” he started, his voice lowering.
But she didn’t look at him.
She turned slightly toward the phone, lashes dropping, shoulders drawing
