Daisy wasn’t sure what had prompted her to spend the night at Louis’s mansion. They had been working late at the office, her newest script needing final adjustments, and Louis had been by her side, as he often was, offering support and input. When the hour grew late, he had offered to drive her home, but she felt an inexplicable urge to stay. She didn’t want to be alone tonight.
“Why don’t you just stay here? You know your room is always ready,” Louis suggested with a smile, as if reading her mind.
Daisy hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Thank you, Louis. That sounds… nice.”
Once inside his mansion, Louis walked her to the guest room that had essentially become hers over time. She looked at the familiar room, comfortable and welcoming, but tonight it felt too distant, too quiet. A part of her was reluctant to be so far from him.
Before she could second-guess herself, she turned to Louis. “Do you mind if… I stay with you tonight? Just… I mean, in your room,” she added quickly, her cheeks flushing slightly. “I’m not sure why, but I just… feel like I don’t want to be alone.”
Louis raised his eyebrows in surprise, but his expression quickly softened into a gentle smile. “Of course, Daisy. You’re always welcome.”
They made their way to his master bedroom, and he arranged a comfortable setup on the bed for both of them. Louis kept things lighthearted, joking about how he never thought he’d have to share his bed like this. Daisy laughed, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders as they talked.
They spent the next hour chatting, reminiscing about old memories, laughing about work stories, and exchanging thoughts about their futures. She felt comfortable, warm, and safe-things she hadn’t allowed herself to feel for a long time. Daisy found herself relaxing more than she’d expected, enjoying the way Louis’s presence seemed to shield her from her worries, even if just for the night. They stayed up, lost in each other’s company until sleep eventually took them.
But that peace was short-lived.
In the middle of the night, Daisy’s body began to twist and turn, her breathing coming in shallow gasps as she fell into a haunting dream-a memory from her past life.
In her dream, Daisy was lying in a hospital bed, alone and helpless. The cold, sterile light of the hospital room felt oppressive as she clung to her fading breath, a sense of betrayal coursing through her veins. Faces swam around her-the doctors, the nurses, the ones who ignored her pleas for help, Natalie’s cold smile as she left the room without a backward glance. Daisy’s heart raced, her chest aching, knowing she was dying alone, unloved, and forgotten.
“No… don’t leave me… don’t…” she murmured in her sleep, her voice filled with desperation.
Louis, who had drifted into a light sleep beside her, woke up to her quiet pleas. He turned to find Daisy sweating, her hands gripping the blanket as if she was holding on for dear life. Her face twisted in pain, her eyes shut tight against the nightmare consuming her.
“Daisy,” he whispered, his voice filled with concern. “Daisy, wake up.”
She jerked awake, gasping for air, her wide eyes meeting his. For a moment, she looked lost, like she wasn’t even sure where she was.
“It’s okay. You’re safe here,” Louis said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. “It was just a nightmare.”
Daisy blinked, her breathing slowing down as she focused on him. She felt her heart steadying, his calm presence bringing her back to reality. Embarrassment flickered across her face, and she pulled the blanket around herself, looking away.
“Sorry… I didn’t mean to wake you.”
Louis shook his head. “You don’t have to apologize. I’m just glad I was here.” He studied her face, a frown tugging at his lips. “Daisy… I don’t want to pry, but… these nightmares. They seem… intense. This isn’t the first time, is it?”
Daisy swallowed, her eyes darting away. She knew Louis was perceptive, but she hadn’t anticipated that he’d notice just how deeply her past haunted her. For a moment, she considered brushing it off, downplaying it as just a bad dream, but Louis’s gentle gaze encouraged her to open up, at least a little.
“No, it’s… not the first time,” she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. “They come and go, but lately, they’ve been… worse.”
Louis’s brow furrowed. “Worse? What are they about? Maybe… maybe talking about them might help?”
Daisy took a deep breath, her mind racing. She wanted to tell him everything-that she had lived another life, that she had loved him once before, that she had lost everything, betrayed by those she trusted most. But she couldn’t. She knew he would think she was insane, or worse, he’d dig deeper and put himself in danger.
Instead, she settled on a half-truth.
“They’re… memories of things that hurt me,” she said, choosing her words carefully. “From before. Things I couldn’t change… things I couldn’t stop.”
Louis reached out, gently placing a comforting hand on hers. “You don’t have to carry that alone, Daisy. Whatever it is, you have me… and Liam too. We’re here for you.”
Daisy felt a lump rise in her throat. His kindness, his willingness to support her without knowing the full story, touched her in ways she couldn’t explain. She gave him a small, grateful smile, squeezing his hand back.
“Thank you, Louis. Really.”
They sat in silence for a while, Louis’s hand never leaving hers. Eventually, he broke the quiet.
“Whatever happened, just know that you’re not alone. You’ve got people who care about you now,” he said softly, his gaze intent on her.
Daisy nodded, feeling the warmth of his words sink in. She knew he meant every word, and it gave her a sense of peace she hadn’t felt in years. Even if she couldn’t tell him everything, she knew he’d be by her side, supporting her.
They lay back down, and though she still felt the echoes of her nightmare, Louis’s presence was enough to keep her fears at bay. She drifted off again, his hand resting on her shoulder as a gentle anchor.
The Next Morning…
When Daisy awoke, sunlight was streaming through the windows, filling the room with a warm glow. She stretched, feeling surprisingly well-rested. The memories of her nightmare were still there, but they didn’t feel as sharp or as painful as they usually did. Perhaps it was Louis’s presence that had softened the edges of her fear.
Louis was already awake, sitting in a chair by the window with a cup of coffee in hand, his eyes thoughtful as he gazed at her.
“Morning,” he greeted her with a small smile.
Daisy sat up, feeling a sense of warmth spread through her chest. “Morning.”
As they shared breakfast in his sunlit kitchen, the tension of the night before seemed to fade. They joked and laughed, and for a moment, everything felt normal. There was a bond between them now, something unspoken but powerful, forged through the vulnerability of the night before.
Louis watched her closely, his curiosity about her lingering. He could sense that there was more to Daisy’s nightmares, more to the changes he’d seen in her over the past few months. But he knew better than to push her. Whatever she was carrying, she’d share when she was ready.
For now, he was content to be by her side, offering his support in whatever way he could.
And Daisy, though she couldn’t tell him the full truth, felt a renewed sense of determination. With Louis by her side and her newfound strength, she was ready to face whatever lay ahead-even if that meant confronting the shadows of her past once again.