The room fell silent, Damien's words echoing in Elena's mind like a shockwave. She stared at the ring in his hand, her breath hitching. This wasn't just a proposal—it was a lifeline, a vow of protection wrapped in the guise of love. Or was it something more?
"Marry you?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
"Yes," Damien said, his grey eyes locked onto hers. "I know it's sudden, and I know this isn't how you imagined it, but it's the only way to ensure your safety."
Her heart clenched at the raw sincerity in his voice. "You don't have to do this, Damien. We don't have to—"
"This isn't just about you anymore," he interrupted, his tone firm but not unkind. "It's about us. About your family. About making sure they never have a reason to come after you again."
Elena's throat tightened. She wanted to believe that this was only about practicality, that Damien was proposing out of necessity. But the intensity in his eyes told a different story. There was something deeper there, something he wasn't saying.
"Damien..." She hesitated, her mind racing. "Are you sure?"
He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming but steadying at the same time. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life."
Her pulse raced as she weighed her options. Marriage to Damien meant more than just protection—it meant stepping fully into his world, with all its danger and darkness. But it also meant having him by her side, a constant source of strength and safety.
She looked at the ring, its brilliance almost blinding, and then back at Damien. Her decision was made.
"Yes," she said softly, her voice steady despite the storm inside her. "I'll marry you."
Relief flashed across Damien's face, and for a moment, his unyielding facade cracked. He slipped the ring onto her finger, his hands warm and steady. "You won't regret this, Elena. I'll make sure of it."
Her heart swelled as he leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. The intimacy of the gesture sent a shiver down her spine, and she allowed herself a fleeting moment of hope.
But before she could fully process what had just happened, Marcus re-entered the room, his expression grim.
"Boss," he said, his tone clipped. "We've got a problem."
Damien's demeanor shifted instantly, his protective wall snapping back into place. "What is it?"
Marcus glanced at Elena, hesitation flickering across his face. "You're going to want to hear this in private."
"She stays," Damien said firmly. "Whatever it is, it involves her now."
Marcus nodded reluctantly and handed Damien a tablet. On the screen was a grainy surveillance video, showing a man in a tailored suit speaking to a shadowed figure. The audio was faint, but the words were clear enough.
"She's carrying his child," the man said, his voice low and sinister. "We take her, we control him."
Elena's blood ran cold. "What? What are they talking about?"
Damien's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing as he studied the video. "They're using you as leverage. They think—" He paused, his gaze shifting to her. "They think you're pregnant."
Her heart skipped a beat. "That's ridiculous. I'm not—" She stopped, the words catching in her throat as realization dawned.
Her mind raced back to their night together, the intensity, the passion, and the possibility she hadn't dared to consider. Could it be true?
"Elena," Damien said, his voice softer now. "Is there any chance—"
"I don't know," she admitted, her voice trembling. "I never... I didn't think—"
Damien set the tablet down and crossed the room to her, his hands settling on her shoulders. "It doesn't matter what they think. What matters is keeping you safe."
"But if they think I'm pregnant..." Her voice faltered as fear gripped her. "Damien, what if they come after me again?"
"They won't get that chance," he said, his tone resolute. "I'll make sure of it."
She nodded, her fingers instinctively brushing against the ring on her finger. The weight of their situation pressed down on her, but Damien's presence was a steady anchor.
"We need to move quickly," Marcus said. "If they're spreading this information, it won't be long before others get involved."
"Others?" Elena asked, her stomach twisting. "What do you mean?"
"There are factions," Damien explained, his voice tight. "Groups who want to take me down. If they think they can use you to do it, they'll try."
Her knees wobbled, and Damien caught her, guiding her to sit. "I don't know if I can do this," she whispered.
"Yes, you can," he said, kneeling in front of her. "You're stronger than you think. And you're not alone in this."
She looked into his eyes, searching for the reassurance she desperately needed. His unwavering gaze gave her the strength to nod, even as fear clawed at her chest.
"What's the plan?" Marcus asked, his focus shifting back to Damien.
Damien straightened, his expression hardening. "We make the first move. We find out who's behind this and end it."
Elena's heart pounded as the reality of their situation sank in. The road ahead was dangerous and uncertain, but with Damien by her side, she felt a flicker of hope. Together, they would face whatever came next.
And together, they would survive.