Cassia smiled softly and accepted the gift from Damien.
He had been a constant presence in her life for the past five years, steady, kind, always there for both her and Arthur.
There were days he watched Arthur when she was working late at the hospital. Other times, he would show up with meals or flowers, expecting nothing in return.
She admired him deeply.
“Thank you for the jewelry,” she said, voice quiet but sincere. “I’ll wear it to the event.”
Damien’s hand reached out, gently wrapping around hers. His touch was warm, comforting, familiar, but it made her heart stutter.
“You know I’d do anything for you, Cassia,” he said, voice low.
A cold shiver ran down her spine. Her heart picked up speed. She wasn’t sure if it was nerves or something else entirely, but a strange current passed between them, like static before a storm.
She quickly pulled her hand away, trying to stay composed. “Thank you, Damien.”
Their eyes locked, tension pulsing quietly between them.
Damien’s gaze flicked to her lips, then up to her eyes, those haunting blue emeralds that never stopped holding so much pain and strength.
“Dinner is ready,” Cassia said abruptly, breaking the moment. She cleared her throat. “Let’s eat.”
Damien nodded, stepping back as they walked toward the dining room. Just as she approached her chair, Damien pulled it out for her.
She hesitated before muttering, “Thanks,” and sat down. He took the seat beside her.
“Could you ask Arthur to come down for dinner and let Mom and Beta Kael know as well?” she asked one of the maids.
The maid bowed respectfully and disappeared upstairs.
Moments later, Arthur bounded into the room, a wide grin on his face, Seraphina following closely behind.
“Uncle Damien!” Arthur squealed.
Damien stood and scooped the boy into his arms, ruffling his hair with affection. “Oh, my little Alpha! How are you doing, champ?”
“I’m good now,” Arthur beamed. “Mommy took care of me and made me better.”
Damien’s gaze shifted to Cassia, meeting her eyes across the table. His smile softened.
“I know she did. Your mom is kind, smart, and strong. She probably healed you before you even sneezed.”
Cassia smiled faintly, looking away but Seraphina noticed everything.
“Yes! Mommy is the best!” Arthur said proudly. “And so are you, Uncle Damien. You’re always nice to us, and I love you. Right, Mommy?”
Cassia turned to her son, then to Damien. The warmth in her chest tightened. She gave a small nod, lips pressed into a smile.
Damien set Arthur gently in his chair. “Arthur, do not mention it. You know I love your mom.”
He paused, eyes on Cassia.
“And I love you too, kiddo. I’d do anything for both of you.”
Everyone smiled, except Cassia, who quietly pushed her food around her plate. Her mind was a million miles away.
Damien had been her anchor, her friend, her helper. Arthur adored him. Everyone did.
He smiled gently at Cassia before turning and walking out of the room, leaving the two women alone.
Seraphina turned toward her daughter with a mischievous smile, Cassia raised a brow. “What?”
“You can’t tell me you haven’t noticed,” Seraphina said lightly.
“Noticed what?”
“That Damien is completely in love with you.”
Cassia sighed and leaned back in her chair. “Mom… he’s never said anything.”
Seraphina gave her a knowing smile. “He’s waiting for the right moment, Cassia. He’s scared you’ll reject him. And you’ve been rejecting all his gifts for five years, until tonight.”
Guilt settled in Cassia’s chest. She had turned down every thoughtful thing he offered, always keeping him at arm’s length.
“Do you feel anything for him?” Seraphina asked gently.
Cassia hesitated. “I… I don’t know, Mom. Honestly, I’m not sure I’m ready to love again.”
Seraphina’s eyes softened. She knew. She knew everything Aiden had done to her daughter. The betrayal. The pain. The trauma that didn’t go away just because someone else was kind.
“I understand, honey. I’m not saying you should start something right away. But just… consider him. Damien’s a good man. Arthur already sees him as a father figure. And who knows… maybe one day, you will too.”
Cassia looked down at her hands, then gave a small smile.
These was the least of her worry right now. She was worried about the alpha’s event to be held.
Kael was in charge of the event. She wondered if he sent an invite to Aiden and if he would be attending?

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