Chapter 20 – Between Two Worlds
Aria's hands trembled slightly as she held the car door open for Damien. The streets of her neighborhood felt different now — smaller, quieter, and somehow more fragile compared to the chaos and glitter of his world.
"You sure about this?" Damien asked, his dark eyes scanning the modest row of houses. His tone was calm, but there was an edge — the kind of edge that always made her pulse quicken.
"I have to be," she replied. "She needs to see you… for real. Not just the headlines, not just the rumors."
He studied her for a long moment, then inclined his head. "Alright. Let's do this your way."
Aria led him to the front door. Her mother was waiting inside, arms crossed, eyes sharp, evaluating every step Damien took.
"Mom," Aria said softly, "this is Damien."
Damien extended a hand smoothly, but he didn't smile. There was no charm, no practiced allure — just Damien, raw and present.
Her mother's eyes flicked to his hand, then back up to his face. "So… you're the one." Her voice was calm, but each word carried careful measurement. "I've heard a lot."
Damien's gaze didn't waver. "I hope you've heard the truth."
Aria's mother raised an eyebrow. "Truth, Mr. Blackwell?"
"Absolutely," Damien said, tone steady but intimate, as if every word were meant only for her. He took a step closer, but his hands remained to himself. "I'm not here to impress you. I'm here because I care about your daughter. I won't hurt her. I won't play games."
A pause. Aria's mother studied him, searching for the cracks, the hidden motives. And for the first time, Damien let something softer flicker in his eyes — respect, maybe even vulnerability.
Aria felt a swell of pride. This was the first time she had seen him tone down his dominance for someone else, and it made her heart ache in a new, tender way.
Minutes stretched. Conversation flowed, awkward at first, then surprisingly normal. Damien answered questions directly, listened without interrupting, and even managed a dry, subtle joke that made her mother tilt her head — almost amused.
Aria couldn't resist leaning toward him when her mother excused herself for a moment. Her fingers brushed his sleeve. "You're doing… better than I thought."
Damien's lips twitched into the faintest smirk. "I'm full of surprises."
Then her mother returned, expression unreadable. "Mr. Blackwell… I still have questions. But I see why Aria is… drawn to you. Just… prove you're worthy of her trust."
Damien's gaze softened, and he brushed a strand of hair from Aria's cheek. "I will. Every day, if I have to."
Aria's heart fluttered. For once, the worlds didn't collide violently. They merged, just enough to show a glimpse of what could be — if both of them held on.
But as she watched Damien stand beside her, composed yet alert, she knew the storm wasn't over. Not by a long shot. Someone, somewhere, was waiting for a crack in their armor.
And she had a feeling it was coming sooner than they thought.