So Emily had understood everything that day.
She knew from the start that he and Lea were married, and she’d played along, pretending not to know, keeping it from him and everyone else.
Damon felt panic rising in his chest.
He’d thought he’d hidden things perfectly, that he could balance Lea and Emily, that he could keep both without ever getting caught. He told himself what he felt for Lea was just leftover obsession–rage that she’d left him for another man, a desperate need to keep her close, no
matter what.
But Lea had always been his secret, stashed away in the shadows, never meant to cross paths with Emily. After Emily lost her sight, she was the only one Damon truly loved. At least, that’s what he kept telling himself.
He never saw this coming: Emily learning Italian, piecing everything together from that one conversation. She’d found out everything.
But how could she be so cruel? All he’d ever had for Lea was a stubborn attachment, a little guilt–how could Emily just wipe herself out of his world, erase every trace, and disappear like
she’d never existed?
His eyes blurred with tears as memories flooded back–years of Emily by his side, her voice a steady warmth in the darkness.
“Don’t be afraid, Damon. I’ll always stay with you.”
“Always?” he’d asked, voice trembling.
“As long as you never betray me,” she’d said, smiling gently. “Then, yes. Always.”
Back then, he’d pulled her into his arms, fighting back tears.
“I would never hurt you, Emily. Promise me you’ll never leave.”
But when did it all start to change?
Was it the way Lea begged, her face streaked with tears? Or was it just Damon starting to take
mily for granted, assuming she’d always be there, no matter what? The woman who’d once left
d come back, broken and waiting for rescue, and he thought he could control
-keep Emily, save Lea, and keep all his secrets safe.
orgot something: Emily was never the kind to let herself suffer quietly. She’d rather cut ties completely than stay and torture herself.
She knew him too well. If Damon had even guessed she was planning to leave, he would’ve done anything to stop her, to keep her by his side.
So she left everything behind–burning every bridge, deleting every trace–and vanished from his
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world.
Understanding this, Damon tried to hold back the pain threatening to swallow him whole.
“Emily, no. I can’t let you go. I won’t,” he whispered, voice raw and desperate.
He kept repeating her name, over and over, aching for her.
“Emily, I’m sorry. I never should’ve treated you that way for someone else. Do whatever you want to me–hate me, yell at me, anything–just don’t leave.”
He whispered apologies until his voice was gone, but the only person who needed to hear them was already out of reach.
No matter how many times he said the words, she was gone.
“Emily, I’ll find you. I don’t care how far you go. Somehow, I’ll bring you back to me.”
Damon’s jaw tightened, determination burning in his eyes. He couldn’t let go. Emily would always be his.
He’d beg, apologize, do anything she asked–anything for forgiveness–but letting her go wasn’t an option.
With shaking hands, Damon opened his phone, scrolling to her photo. He pressed his lips to the screen, eyes closed, as if the kiss could pull her back into his life, as if it was a promise–to her, and to himself–that this wasn’t the end.
