Chapter 198

Damian’s POV

I stood outside the dungeon, not knowing if I should go in or just go back to my suite and lock up myself like I have been doing. I stand there longer than I should, staring at the iron door that leads down to her cell. Every step below that door feels like a choice I don’t want to make.

Tomorrow at dawn, she’ll be gone.

Rain.The name still feels strange in my mouth now,like saying it might summon the ghost of who I thought she was.

For days, I’ve tried to stay busy, tried to train, tried to keep my hands and mind occupied. But no amount of work stops the questions from clawing at me. I need to see her. Not to forgive, not to reconcile,but to understand. Why?

Why me?

With a deep breath, I finally push the door open. The sound of metal scraping echoes down the narrow stairway as I start to descend. My heart pounds harder with each step.

When I reach the bottom, I saw her

She’s sitting on the stone floor, her back a