176
~Lisa’s POV
I couldn’t even say anything at that mont. I lay back against the soft pillow, trying to calm the trembling in my body, but it wouldn’t stop. Even though the nightmare had ended, the fear clung to , heavy and suffocating. I could still see Belinda’s face, the cold cruelty in her eyes, her cutlass raised above , ready to strike. I swallowed hard, wishing I could erase it from my mind, but it was burned in there, vivid and real.
Damon’s presence beside was both comforting and frustrating. His hand rested gently on my arm, stroking slowly, trying to ground . But knowing how he cared for Belinda, how he would never entertain the thought that she could do sothing so wicked, made my heart sink. How could I prove anything? How could I make him see what she really was?
"I had... I had a really bad dream," I whispered, my voice trembling. My hands shook as I clutched the sheet, pulling it close to my chest.
Damon’s dark eyes softened as he leaned closer. "It’s okay, Lisa. You’re safe now. It was just a dream. Nothing will touch you."
I shook my head, unable to et his gaze. "It wasn’t just a dream... it felt real. She....Belinda....she was trying to hurt . She... she wanted to kill ." My words rushed out, unsteady and urgent. "Damon, she’s... she’s dangerous. She’s... she’ll do anything to get what she wants."
His brows knitted, concern etching deeper lines into his face. He took my hand in his, holding it firmly but gently. "Lisa... I know you’re scared. But she wouldn’t dare... not in my palace, not with here."
I bit my lip, frustration and fear knotting in my chest until it almost hurt to breathe. My voice shook as I pressed on, "That’s just it, Damon! You think she wouldn’t, but she would. You don’t see her the way I do. She has been bullying . She waits, she plans... she... she’ll do anything to hurt . You have to believe ."
The room seed too small, too heavy with all the words I couldn’t yet prove. My hands trembled where they clutched his, and I hated how desperate I sounded, but it was the truth. Belinda wasn’t the angel he thought she was, she was sothing darker, sothing dangerous.
Damon’s expression softened, though a flicker of darkness in his eyes. He squeezed my hand gently, his thumb brushing soothing circles across my knuckles. His touch was warm, grounding, and it made want to cry even harder. "I do believe you, Lisa," he said quietly, almost as if he were trying to convince as much as himself. "I believe you’re scared. But she won’t touch you. Don’t be afraid."
I closed my eyes, trying to calm the rapid pounding of my heart. I knew he wouldn’t believed .
"And... Luca?" My voice trembled as I asked, my hands clenching into fists. "What about him? Did he....did he try to...?"
Damon’s jaw tightened, and I could see the anger flicker in his dark eyes. "He’s dead, Lisa. The mont we returned to punish him, he was gone. We don’t know exactly what happened." His voice was low, filled with controlled fury, but also a strange kind of relief. "I swear, Lisa... no one will ever touch you. You don’t have to fear him or anyone like him again."
I shivered despite the warmth of the room, my mind still racing. The thought of Luca, or whoever he really was, dead, made feel a strange mix of relief and guilt. But the fear for Belinda’s next move gnawed at . "You... you really an it? You’ll protect ?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"I an it," Damon said firmly, his voice low but sharp, leaving no room for argunt. "No one will harm you. And I want you to be safe. That’s why I’m asking you to allow two bodyguards to stay with you. It’s only for a short ti, until we’re certain there’s no danger left."
I swallowed hard, my throat dry. My palms were damp against the sheets. His words pressed down on like heavy chains, tightening around my chest. I shook my head quickly, my stomach knotting. "I... I don’t want guards following around," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I don’t want anyone watching , Damon. It makes feel... trapped, like I’m already a prisoner here."
The mont I said it, silence fell between us. His eyes searched mine, and for a second I thought I had gone too far. His jaw clenched, and I could see the storm gathering in his expression. But then, slowly, sothing shifted. His eyes softened, though the sharpness in them never truly left.
"Lisa..." he said, his voice quieter now, but still steady, still commanding. "I’m not trying to trap you. I’m trying to keep you alive. You’re carrying our child. Do you understand what that ans to ? I can’t risk anything happening to you. Please... let do this. Trust for once."
My heart thudded painfully in my chest. The way he looked at , dark eyes full of worry, full of sothing I couldn’t na, made my throat close up. I wanted to believe him, to let his words sink in and soothe the terror still lingering from my dream. But another part of scread, reminding of Belinda, of how Damon refused to see through her sweet mask. If he couldn’t believe the truth about her, how could I fully trust him now?
I dropped my gaze, staring at my trembling hands resting protectively over my belly. The baby moved lightly beneath my touch, and my chest tightened. "You don’t understand," I muttered, my voice breaking. "I already feel like I can’t breathe sotis. With everyone watching , judging , waiting for to get ruined, If I add guards following every step of the way, I’ll lose myself completely."
Damon leaned closer, his hand brushing my cheek. "I do understand," he said softly. "More than you think. I know you don’t trust easily, Lisa. I know you feel like people are waiting for you to stumble. But I can’t let that fear blind you to the danger. What if sothing happens while I’m not here? What if..." His voice cracked slightly.
I pressed my lips together, torn between fear and pride, between wanting his protection and not wanting to feel caged. Finally, after a long mont, I nodded slightly. "Okay... okay. I’ll let them stay. But just... just for a while."
Damon’s face softened, and he leaned down to press a gentle kiss to my forehead. "That’s all I ask. Thank you, Lisa."
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