The morning after the calm night felt heavier than I expected. I woke up tangled in Damien’s arms, my cheek pressed to his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. For a moment everything felt peaceful, his warm skin, the faint scent of his cologne still clinging to the sheets, the way his hand rested possessively on my lower back even in sleep.
But then I remembered the text. Lila’s latest message had been sitting in the back of my mind like a stone I couldn’t quite swallow. I hadn’t shown it to him last night. I’d deleted it instead, telling myself it was better not to ruin the moment. Now, in the quiet morning light, that choice felt like a secret I didn’t want to keep anymore.
Damien stirred, his fingers flexed against my skin as he woke up. He pressed a slow kiss to t
