Damien’s POV
"Where were you last night?"
The question hit like a physical blow.
My heart hamred. Panic clawed up my throat. The images from this morning flooded back—Emma’s naked body, those marks, the hotel room I couldn’t rember entering.
Did she know? How could she know?
I forced myself to look at her.
Her face was calm. Too calm. Her voice steady. Almost conversational.
Like she was asking about the weather instead of demanding to know where I’d spent the night.
"Work stuff," I heard myself say. "Border situation got complicated. Had to handle so things."
I rubbed my face. Tried to look tired instead of terrified. Tried to act normal when nothing about this was normal.
Sera nodded slowly. "Okay."
No follow-up questions. No accusations. No tears or screaming or any of the reactions I’d been bracing for.
Just... okay.
The silence stretched between us. Heavy. Suffocating.
I opened my mouth to say sothing—anything—when the front door burst open.
"Mama!" Lily’s voice rang through the house. "We’re ho!"
Sera stood imdiately. Walked past without a word. Her shoulder brushed mine and I flinched like she’d burned .
She headed toward the entryway. I stood there for a mont. Frozen. My mind racing.
*She doesn’t know. She can’t know. If she knew, she’d be screaming. Crying. Sothing.*
I forced my legs to move. Followed her to the door.
Lily was already in Sera’s arms. Chattering about her day. Adrian stood behind them, his backpack sliding off one shoulder.
"How was school?" Sera’s voice was warm. Genuine. Like nothing was wrong.
"Good! We learned about fractions today and I got all of them right!" Lily bounced. "And at recess, Maya shared her cookies with and—"
"That’s wonderful, baby." Sera smoothed Lily’s hair. Kissed her forehead.
Then she looked at Adrian. "How about you, buddy?"
He shrugged. "Fine."
"Just fine?"
"Yeah." His eyes flicked to briefly. Then away. "We had a quiz in history. I think I did okay."
"I’m sure you did great."
I stepped forward. Tried to act normal. "Hey, guys. Sorry I couldn’t pick you up today."
"It’s okay!" Lily launched herself at . "Nanny said you were busy with important stuff."
"Yeah." I caught her. Held her tight. "Sothing ca up."
"Go wash your hands," Sera said. "I’ll make you a snack."
"Can we have cookies?" Lily asked.
"How about apple slices?"
"But cookies are better!"
"Apple slices with peanut butter?"
Lily considered this. "Okay. But extra peanut butter."
"Deal."
The kids ran upstairs. Their footsteps thundering overhead.
The silence crashed back down.
Sera walked toward the kitchen. I followed.
She moved around the space with practiced efficiency. Pulling out apples. Cutting board. Knife. Each movent precise. chanical.
"Sera." My voice ca out rougher than I ant. "Look, I know yesterday was weird." I leaned against the counter. " not coming ho. Not answering calls. I should have explained better."
"You said it was work." She reached for the peanut butter. "I understand work cos up."
"Sera—"
"Kids!" She called upstairs. "Snack’s ready!"
More thundering footsteps. Lily appeared first, Adrian right behind her.
They settled at the kitchen table. Started eating. Talking about their day. Normal kid stuff.
I watched Sera with them. How she listened. Asked questions. Laughed at Lily’s stories.
---
Dinner was the sa.
I made pasta. Sera helped. We moved around each other like dancers who’d practiced these steps a thousand tis.
But we never touched. Never made eye contact. Never spoke beyond the necessary.
"Can you pass the salt?"
"Lily, eat your vegetables."
"Adrian, howork after dinner."
After dinner, we did the usual routine. Dishes. Howork help. TV ti.
Eight o’clock ca. Bedti for Lily.
"Bath ti, baby girl." I stood up from the couch.
"Can Mama do it tonight?" Lily grabbed Sera’s hand. "Please?"
"Of course." Sera smiled. "Co on."
They disappeared upstairs. I heard water running. Lily’s laughter echoing down.
Sera ca back down thirty minutes later. "Lily’s ready for her story."
Usually, we did this together. Both of us reading to her. Taking turns with the voices. Making her giggle.
Tonight felt different.
"I’ll go," I said. Started toward the stairs.
"Actually." Sera’s voice stopped . "I was thinking... maybe I should do it tonight. You look tired."
I turned around. She stood by the couch. Arms crossed. Face still that terrible calm.
"I’m fine. I always read to her on Fridays."
"I know. But you had a long night. You should rest."
"Sera—"
"Please." The word ca out quiet. Final. "Let do it tonight."
Sothing in her tone made my chest tight.
"Okay." I nodded slowly. "Okay. If that’s what you want."
"It is."
She walked past . Headed upstairs. Didn’t look back.
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