Damian saw the loss.
---
And this time—
He understood it.
---
"You let it happen."
---
Evelyn didn't deny it.
---
"Yes."
---
Silence.
---
Then—
"Why?"
---
Evelyn looked at him.
---
"Because winning costs something."
---
A beat.
---
"And you never learned that."
---
The words hit.
---
Not as accusation.
---
As truth.
---
Damian went still.
---
Because for the first time—
He understood the difference.
---
Between control—
And sacrifice.