The phone call came late in the evening, piercing the silence of Damien's study with grim urgency."Damien," the voice on the other end was quiet, burdened with sorrow. "Lilly's parents... they've passed away."
A cold weight settled over Damien's chest. He stood frozen for a moment, the words sinking deep into the calm façade he always wore.
"There's more," the voice continued hesitantly. "Her uncle and aunt… they've thrown her out. She has nowhere to go."Damien's eyes darkened.
For years, he had watched from the shadows, silently connected to the girl he'd claimed in his heart. Now, the cruel reality of her abandonment ignited a fierce, protective fire within him.
"Where is she?" Damien demanded, already moving toward the door, his voice steady but urgent.
"She was last seen wandering the streets with just a small bag. The weather's worse tonight—it's raining hard.
"Without a word, Damien grabbed his coat and stepped into the storm, the cold rain matching the turmoil roiling inside his mind.
The city streets were slick and empty, harsh under relentless rain. Lilly's small figure staggered down the darkened road, dragging a tattered bag behind her. Her soaked clothes clung to her fragile frame, and pain pulsed sharply in her twisted ankle.
Her parents were gone. Her only family had rejected her. Alone, scared, and aching, she stumbled until her ankle gave way beneath her. She fell hard onto the wet pavement, tears mixing with rain as she hugged her knees, trembling and silent.
Then, the headlights pierced through the rain—a car slowed beside her. The door opened, and Damien stepped out, his presence a calm anchor amid chaos.
Their eyes met for a moment—hers wide with fear and helplessness, his steady with unspoken promise.
"Come with me," Damien said softly, reaching out a steady hand. Lilly's voice trembled as she whispered, "Why… why are you here? Why would you help me?"His eyes softened. "Because no one should be alone tonight—not you. You belong somewhere safe."
"I have nowhere left," she admitted, voice breaking. "No one wants me…"Damien knelt beside her sheltering from the rain. "I want you. You have me. That's enough for now."
She hesitated, pain and fear running deep. But slowly, she nodded. Gently, Damien lifted her into his arms, cradling her delicately. She rested her head against his shoulder, the steady beat of his heart a comforting presence amid the storm.
"Don't be afraid," he whispered. "I won't let anything hurt you."Lilly squeezed her eyes shut, clinging to the fragile hope in his words. The car door closed softly behind them, pulling away from the dark, rain-soaked street—away from loneliness into care.