THE RETURN
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Shadow_vee
With the blink of an eye, a month slipped by since the whole drama started.
Orabella, unknowingly at the center of a growing storm, continued living her life as she always hadroutine, quiet, untouched by the decisions being made in rooms she had never entered. Damien, on the other hand, was still absentno calls,no appearances. Just silence.
Until one evening.
A car rolled into the Kuiver estate, tires crunching softly against the gravel the engine finally stopped, and Damien stepped out.
Upstairs, behind partially drawn curtains, a silhouette stood still.
Andre.
As if drawn by instinct, Damien lifted his gazehe didn't need to see the face to know who it wastheir eyes didn't meet, but the weight of awareness lingered between them. Damien straightened his jacket and walked in with quiet elegance, unhurried composure.
Inside the mansion, Marina saw him and froze for a secondthen rushed forward.
"Damien," she breathed, pulling him into a tight embrace her hands trembled as she held his face, searching it. "Where have you been? Do you have any idea what you put us through? Are you okay? Did you eat properly? Are you..."
"I'm fine, Mom," he said gently, cutting in before her worry spiraled further. His tone wasn't cold this time. "I needed time I'm sorry for making you worried."
She nodded, tears pooling in her eyes, saying nothing more as she hugged him again.
From the staircase, Darla appeared she stopped short when she saw him.
"You're back," she said, her voice thick with emotion.
Damien smiledsoftly, genuinelyand before he could say a word, she rushed down the steps and wrapped her arms around him she held on tightly, as though if she let go, he might disappear all over again.
He didn't pull away.
For the first time in weeks, the house felt… better.
Damien didn't come down for dinner. Marina didn't stress it either she simply sent the maid to his room to drop his food.
The next day,he decided to take a stroll in the garden,he found an empty chair under the shade of a sprawling tree and sat down, letting his thoughts wander.
After a few quiet moments, a familiar figure appeared, strolling casually across the garden. Zepher came to a stop and took a seat beside him.
"I didn't expect you to come back," Zepher said, a teasing tone in his voice. "Or… maybe I did."
Damien looked at him. "I wasn't expecting you to still be around maybe I wouldn't have come back if I knew." He paused, then added, sarcastically, "Don't you have somewhere to explore? I heard the Pyramid will be full of tourists this season maybe you can pick something new to add to dad's study."
"Well while you were out there changing models, I was doing something reasonable, going on tours and bringing souvenirs home," Zepher said, mock pride in his voice.
Damien arched an eyebrow, lips curling into a sly smirk. "Ah, yes… the cultural ambassador of the Kuiver's collecting trinkets while the rest of us deal with reality. Truly heroic, brother."
"Well, at least I've never run off to hide while being hunted," Zepher shot a mocking remark.
Damien didn't even glance at him. "Ah… thank you for the reminder, fearless globe-wanderer . I'll be sure to keep that in mind next time".
Zepher chuckled lightly. "Your classic tongue. I've never been able to beat it, and I know I never will."
"You're getting better at it," Damien snorted, a victory smile tugging at his lips.
"Hahaha, I'm glad you noticed," Zepher replied,"Ah, the great Kuiver twin rivalry"he tilted his head, studying his brother. "You always took things way too seriously. Me? I was enjoying life, taking it easy, while you were plotting every move in your little mind like a general."
"Someone had to," Damien replied lightly, a grin tugging at his lips. "Otherwise, who would actually keep the family empire from being a total circus?"
Zepher laughed again. "Fair point".His grin faded, his voice low but firm. "Finally made a decision? Why are you back?"
Damien let out a long breath, meeting his brother's eyes. "I came back because there's no running from this… no matter how far I go.I want to face dad".
Zepher studied him carefully, the playful edge gone. "You sure you're ready for that?"
Damien's jaw tightened. "I don't have a choice."
A knock echoed softly on the door Damien stepped into his father's study, eyes sweeping over the room.
"This place has changed"
"Well… you haven't been in here for a while,have a seat" Andre said.
They stared at each other for a long moment.
"You're finally out of your hole," Andre said.
"I needed time to think," Damien replied quietly.
Silence fell.
"He died a year ago," Andre said,one could note the regret in his eyes
"Since he's gone, why don't you let it go?"Damien replied
Andre's eyes sharpened. "I don't let promises die, Damien. Never and i expect the same from you, you should know what a promise means in this family…
He leaned back slightly, voice cold "He saved your life...My Life.We owe him and I intend to see that debt honored."
Damien's stomach tightened. "…And the girl?"
Andre's gaze softened slightly. "I have tabs on her. Orabella… she's just like her father."
Damien's eyes narrowed,"…Orabella," he repeated, voice low. "So that's her name."
The look he gave his father was unmistakable the kind reserved for when a strategy was being hatched, when a mind was already working three steps ahead.