Later that day, a doctor moved Sarah to a private ward on the upper floor, saying one of the hospital's shareholders had instructed him to do so. The name wasn't mentioned, but Sarah instinctively knew it was Damien. Sarah moved to the ward obediently, seeing it as an opportunity to step away from Chloe and Caroline, who kept pestering her. Ever since her conversation with Mathilda, she was wary of them and their hidden motives.
She texted Damien to let him know she had moved to a different ward. She felt a little silly, but she wanted to talk to him. When she received no reply after a few hours, she thought he must be busy with work and she shouldn't bother him. Just then, he appeared at the door, holding flowers and a cake.
"Am I interrupting?" Damien asked.
Sarah's face lit up. "Of course not. Come on in."
"I brought you strawberry cake," he said, a hint of a smile on his face. "Have you been craving sweets lately?"
"Yes, a cake," she said, her heart fluttering. "How did you know?"
"I have my ways," he replied, his eyes twinkling. He looked at her warmly. "How are you feeling today?"
She said she's feeling better, telling him about Mathilda's visit and their conversation. Damien listened intently, his expression darkening as she spoke of the Walkers. He then told her that her adoptive mother Caroline and sister Chloe were the reason why he had her moved to the private ward; he needed to make sure she was safe. Sarah didn't know she was adopted so that came to her as a shock, but she quickly recovered when Damien told her he's investigating. He told her what he found out about her and in the end said he'll be her rock from now on, she wasn't alone.
Sarah's face saddened. "You've done so much for me," she said, her voice a soft whisper. "How can I ever repay you?"
"You don't need to," Damien replied, his voice gentle.
She looked at him, her eyes filled with a gratitude so deep it was almost painful. "But I want to. When I get better, I'll get a good job and pay you back and buy you cake every day and anything else that you like." She smiled happily, like a little child. "I'll buy you lots of gifts, any gift you want."
He reached out and gently lifted her chin, his fingers warm against her soft skin. "You already have."
Sarah looked into his eyes, puzzled.
"The gift," he said, his voice barely a whisper. "You have already given me the best gift I have ever received."
"What gift?" she asked, her voice filled with a desperate curiosity.
He didn't answer. He leaned in and kissed her cheek, his lips warm and soft against her skin. The kiss made her cheeks flush and her heart beat faster. Damien felt a similar rush, his own heart pounding in his chest. He was surprised by his own actions. The urge to kiss her again, to move to her lips, was overwhelming. He abruptly moved his hand away and got up, the logical side of him prevailing.
"I'll leave you to rest now," he said, his voice rougher than he intended. "I have to go back to work." He left, his heart pounding in his chest.