Luna stood quietly during the playful banter between Raphael and Damian, her soft smile lingering as she watched the joy radiating in the room. As the conversation shifted and laughter faded, she stepped closer to Aurora, her heart swelling with gratitude that her friend was safe and recovering.
Without a word, Luna leaned down and hugged Aurora gently, pressing her ear to Aurora’s tummy as if searching for a heartbeat of comfort. Aurora chuckled softly, running her fingers through Luna’s hair.
“What are you doing, Luna?” Aurora asked, amused.
Luna giggled and looked up. “Just making sure you’re really here,” she said. “I missed you so much, Aurora.”
Aurora smiled warmly. “I missed you too. You’ve been taking care of everything, haven’t you?”
Luna nodded eagerly. “Of course. Madam Catherine and I made sure the house was ready for you.” She paused and whispered, “And Damian has been different… softer, maybe?”
Aurora raised a brow, glancing at Damian, who was watching them with a small, fond smile. “Softer? Are you sure we’re talking about the same Damian?”
Luna laughed. “You’ll see for yourself,” she said before pulling back.
Damian stepped forward, clearing his throat. “Luna,” he said, his tone gentle but firm, “can you give us a moment? I need to talk to Aurora alone.”
Luna nodded, understanding, and gave Aurora’s hand a light squeeze before leaving the room.
As the door clicked shut, Damian pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down. He reached for Aurora’s hand, his touch soft yet full of emotion. His eyes, usually cold and calculating, now held a warmth that was rare to see.
“I’ve missed you,” Damian said, his voice quiet but full of sincerity.
Aurora blinked, surprised by his openness. “You missed me?” she asked, a small smile playing on her lips.
“More than you know,” he admitted. “The house felt empty without you. I didn’t realize how much you meant to me until you were gone.”
Aurora’s cheeks flushed, and she looked away for a moment. “Well, I’m back now,” she said softly.
Damian nodded, his grip on her hand tightening slightly as if afraid she might disappear again. “There’s something I need to tell you,” he said after a pause.
Aurora tilted her head, curious. “What is it?”
Damian hesitated, his gaze dropping to their joined hands. “When you were in the hospital,” he began, “I got a call from someone.”
Aurora frowned. “A call? From who?”
Damian exhaled slowly. “Someone claiming to be your father,” he said.
Aurora’s eyes widened, and she shook her head in disbelief. “My father? That’s impossible,” she said firmly. “I’ve never met my father. I don’t even know who he is.”
“I know,” Damian said quickly, his voice soothing. “I know how strange it sounds. But this man… he was very insistent. He said you were his daughter and that I should take care of you.”
Aurora’s brows furrowed as she tried to process the information. “Do you believe him?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Damian shrugged slightly. “I don’t know what to believe,” he admitted. “But I thought you should know. If there’s any truth to his claim, I’ll find out.”
Aurora sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. “I’ve spent my whole life wondering who my father was,” she said. “And now, out of nowhere, someone shows up claiming to be him? It doesn’t make sense.”
Damian leaned closer, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. “It doesn’t have to make sense right now,” he said. “We’ll figure it out together.”
Aurora looked up at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “Thank you, Damian,” she said softly.
He gave her a small smile and leaned down to press a gentle kiss to her forehead. “You don’t have to thank me,” he said. “You’re important to me, Aurora. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you.”
Aurora closed her eyes briefly, letting his words sink in. When she opened them again, she met his gaze with newfound determination. “If he’s really my father, I want to meet him,” she said. “But only when we know for sure.”
Damian nodded. “Of course,” he said. “I’ll make sure of it before anything else.”
Aurora gave him a small smile, squeezing his hand. “You’ve changed, Damian,” she said after a moment.
He raised an eyebrow. “Changed? How?”
“You’re… kinder,” she said, her voice teasing but affectionate. “More human, maybe?”
Damian chuckled, shaking his head. “Don’t get used to it,” he said, though his tone was light.
Aurora laughed softly. “Too late,” she said, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.
Damian stood, his usual commanding presence returning, but the softness in his eyes remained. “Rest now,” he said. “We have plenty of time to talk later.”
Aurora nodded, watching as he walked to the door. Just before he stepped out, she called after him. “Damian?”
He turned, one hand on the doorknob. “Yes?”
“Thank you,” she said again, her voice full of sincerity.
He gave her a small smile before leaving the room, his heart lighter than it had been in a long time. Aurora, too, felt a sense of hope she hadn’t felt in years, knowing she wasn’t alone in whatever came next.