Chapter 211

Sienna

The room was dark, lit only by the soft glow of the lamp beside the bed. The world outside felt far away, hushed beneath the quiet breathing of our daughter sleeping in the nursery and the thick hush of the forest holding its breath.

I smiled, finding myself being at rest. I knew that this was not a rest that I should be holding onto, but it was one that I wanted to keep. I was happy, and I knew that he saw it in my eyes.

Damon sat on the edge of the bed, his shirt unbuttoned, the tension in his shoulders visible even in the low light. He hadn’t said much since dinner. There was something heavy in him still… but softer than before. Calmer.

I approached from behind and wrapped my arms around him, resting my cheek against his back. I gently massaged his shoulders. And he smiled, leaning into our touch, making my eyes soften towards him.

“You’re not alone, you know,” I whispered. “You can let me stand by your side. I don’t think that you need