at, could feel the subtle tremor in her hands as she reached out to touch Damien's arm, grounding herself in the reality that he wa

ust killed was still fresh in the room, the stench of blood mixing with the thick air. His body tensed under her touch,

he d

dark and heavy with the weight of everything he

on his lips. "I don't know how to stop it. This need to destroy them, to mak

known the battle he fought every day, but hearing him say it out loud-hearing him voice the

to forget. I'm asking you to remember us. We've been through hell together, Damien. W

m saying the things he knew would hurt. He looked at her like he was seeing her for the first time in a

his voice hoarse, almost broken. "But I don't

ave to be anyone but yourself," she whispered. "I don't need you to change. I need you to choose, Damien. Choose who yo

, Alina saw something in him that wasn't hardened by pain or revenge.

ht of her words settling into hi

o wrong choice, Damien. There's just us

the storm outside echoing the chaos in their hearts. And then, w

said quietly. "We