Damien Shaw"Do you ever for once stop to think that maybe you were such a horrible person in your last life that you’re being deprived of joy in this life?" Breonna’s voice echoes through the quiet of my room, cutting through the dull hum of my laptop screen as she steps into my room. I don’t look up. I’ve been staring at lines of code and business reports for hours, though nothing has really stuck in my head. Work has been the only thing keeping me from spiraling, but even that feels meaningless at this point.I hear her drop something on the dresser—the tray of food she’s been bringing me for days now. She’s always playing the caretaker, even when I don’t deserve it.“You’re not going to eat again, are you?” she sighs, coming closer.I lean back in my chair and finally look at her. Her face is soft but tired, and I know part of that exhaustion is because of me. She’s been staying in my house for the past five days to, quote-unquote, take care of me.“I’m not hungry,” I mumble.“Th
Imogene Scott I rise from my work table, stretching my aching back. My muscles are stiff, protesting every movement after being hunched over for hours—finishing the last touches on my digital mural. The Tech Con is in two days, and it's all I’ve been focusing on. It’s my only distraction from the heavy, suffocating weight pressing down on my chest.The apartment is a mess. Clothes are strewn across the floor, empty takeout containers are stacked on the coffee table, and unopened mail is scattered across the kitchen counter. I haven’t left the house in days, haven’t spoken to anyone, haven’t even checked my phone.All I’ve done is work on the mural and now it’s finally done. What other work do I have to focus on that can serve as a good distraction?Chores.I start picking up the trash, throwing away remnants of meals I barely remember eating. I try to focus on the small task in front of me, but my mind keeps drifting back to him. To Damien. Why can’t I stop thinking about hi
Imogene Scott I let Elinor stay with me for the next two days. We don’t say much to each even though we’re in the same house. She’s super quiet and all and it only intensifies my guilt.Tech Con is finally here and after much convincing, Elinor decides to go with me. She’s been going through so much, and I didn’t want her to feel abandoned. After everything that happened at the hospital, I figured the least I could do was show her that she’s still a part of my life, that I’m here for her.That morning, I finally call Breonna over to come babysit Lily since we’ll be gone all day.“Good morning, Imogene.” Breonna says as she walks into my apartment. “How have you been?”I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel after everything her brother did. But then again, Damien and Breonna aren’t related by blood. I’m pretty sure she doesn’t possess Damien’s shitty ass characteristics. “Never been better.” I reiterate.I run a few things by Breonna before Elinor and I start to leave. But Breonna s
Imogene ScottThe room seems to spin around me as her words sink in. Not a real abortion? No pregnancy to begin with. I lean against the door, my breath caught in my throat. I don’t know if I heard her right—no, I must’ve misheard. My mind races, trying to make sense of it. But the words keep echoing in my head.She lied. Elinor wasn’t pregnant . The hospital, the abortion, it was all a show.I can feel my pulse pounding in my ears as I push the door open. Elinor is sitting on the small sofa, her phone in hand, mid-sentence. She looks up and her face looks startled as I stand there, staring at her.“Elinor...” My voice is barely more than a whisper.Her face hardens when she realizes what I must once overheard. Before I can say another word, I storm across the room, my hand flying through the air faster than I can control it. The sound of the slap echoes through the small room, loud and sharp, as my palm lands on her cheek. “You played me!” I yell, trying to stop my voice from
Imogene ScottI’m not sure how long it’s been but it feels like forever. My bag isn’t here, it’s by the booth so I don’t access my phone. And this room has nothing that can help.Which is why I’ve resorted to slamming my fists against the door. My hands are sour now. It’s probably been hours. How could Elinor do this? How could she lock me in here, like some prisoner? My skin feels clammy, and a cold sweat runs down my back. I lean my forehead against the door, breathing in shallow gasps. Regrets starts to bubble up in me all over again. I can’t believe it.Elinor played me. She used me, lied to me, made me doubt everything. And I believed her over Damien. Tears sting my eyes, but I force them back. This is my fault. I let her words poison my thoughts, and now... now Damien is probably gone. I pace the small room, feeling my skin prickly with goosebumps. I betrayed Damien’s trust, didn’t I? I didn’t believe him when he was honest. The look in his eyes when I confronted him about
Imogene Scott I stand frozen in the parking lot, the reality that Damien is gone hitting me. My eyes scan the crowd again, but there’s nothing. No sign of him anywhere. I’ve never felt this kind of desperation before—this gnawing, aching feeling that I’ve lost everything. And it’s my fault. My hands tremble as I wipe my face, clearing away the tears. I look around, the sight of people laughing and chatting as they walk to their cars.I spot an empty car near the edge of the lot, and before I know what I’m doing, I’m climbing onto the hood. The cold metal under my feet feels like the only solid thing in my life right now. I stand there, breathing hard, and people start to look up, curious about the crazy lady that’s standing on a car. They stop walking, turning to see what I’m doing. Some look confused, others amused, but I don’t care. I don’t care about any of it. “Damien!” I shout, my voice cracking as it cuts through the crowd. “Damien, if you’re here, please… please listen
Imogene ScottBut then, just as I’m about to turn away, I hear a familiar voice.“Imogene.”I freeze. My heart skips a beat, and I turn around slowly, afraid that I’ve imagined it.But I didn’t. There he is. Damien. Standing just a few feet away, his eyes locked on mine, his expression unreadable. He’s still here. He’s not gone.“Damien…” I breathe, taking a shaky step forward.He walks toward me, and I an barely breathe as he steps closer, until we’re standing just inches apart. I search his face, trying to figure out what he’s thinking, but I can’t.“You… you heard me?” I whisper.He nods, his eyes never leaving mine. “I heard everything.”For a moment, neither of us speaks. I bite my lip, waiting for him to say something, anything. I’m terrified that I’ve messed this up beyond repair.“You’re not…saying anything?” I ask under my breath.Damien curls an arm around my waist and pulls me closer to him. Our bodies flush and I barely have time to register what’s happening before he pr
I noticed some readers do not approve of Damien and Imogene’s relationship. So, over to you guys, do you think Damien deserves Imogene?
Imogene Scott I slept through the night for the first time in weeks. No jolting awake. No sweat-slicked skin. No dreams of drowning in shadows. Just silence. Stillness. Peace.My eyes open slowly, blinking into the quiet morning light spilling through the gauzy white curtains. The ocean breeze flows in from the slightly open window. My head doesn’t feel like it’s been split in two.I pull the blanket down and sit up, cradling my growing belly with both hands. The twins will be here in a few weeks. Two heartbeats fluttering beneath my skin. Two tiny souls I haven't even met, but already love with an intensity that’s terrifying and beautiful all at once.My fingers press gently into the bump. “You two are going to be okay,” I whisper. “We’re all going to be okay.”A soft smile pulls at my lips. It’s real this time. Not the kind I force at dinner tables or mirror reflections. No, this one is real.“What are you smiling about?”Damien’s voice startles me. I look up as he steps into
Damien Shaw The sun spills through the curtains as my eyes flutter open. I groan, registering the soreness in my bones. I rub at my face, letting my hand fall onto the bed beside me…It’s empty.My heart kicks up, a sudden thrum against my ribs.Imogene is not here.The sheets are still warm, faintly scented with her shampoo and her pillow’s half-squashed. She couldn’t have gone far. But still… my throat tightens as I sit up fast, pushing the blanket off. My bare feet hit the cool wood floor and I stand, eyes scanning the quiet bedroom.I don’t call out. Not yet. My gut twists like it always does when she disappears from my line of sight. I step into the hallway, and I’m immediately hit with a warm, sweet and smoky smell.Pancakes?I follow the scent into the kitchen, tension loosening slightly with each step. And then I see her.She’s standing by the stove, her back to me, swaying ever so slightly to some melody in her head. She’s barefoot, in nothing but my oversized black T-shir
Imogene Scott“Mummy, how long are you going to be gone?” Lily’s small voice floats toward me.I pause, my hand hovering over the zipper of my suitcase. The last dress is folded neatly inside and I press it down before turning to face her. She’s standing by the edge of the bed.“Mummy will be back in a few days,” I say gently, kneeling in front of her and smoothing her curls with my palm. She looks at me like she’s studying me, trying to see if I’m telling the truth or just saying what I think she wants to hear.“Will Mummy be better by then?” she asks.My breath catches.Better.I nod, brushing my thumb across her cheek.“Yes, baby. Mummy will be fine.”Lily thinks about that for a second, then smiles. “Yes, then Mummy can go. Anty Kia will take good care of me.”A soft knock sounds on the door just as I press a kiss to Lily’s forehead. Sheila steps in. “Is there anything else you want to take to the water park, Lily?” she says.Before Lily can answer, Kia walks in right behind
Imogene Scott When I open my eyes, it’s dark outside.The ceiling fan spins slowly above me. My body feels warm as I place my palm on my forehead and try to register what time it is on the wall clock across the room. But my vision’s a little blurry and I can’t make out the numbers, so I sit up instead, blinking away the sleep.I swing my legs off the bed and the cold wooden floor kisses my bare feet. I tug Damien’s hoodie tighter around me before padding to the door. I didn’t mean to sleep that long. I was just going to close my eyes for a few minutes.The hallway is dim. I make my way down slowly, hand on the banister. My joints still feel a little stiff from laying in one position for too long.When I reach the last step, I spot him.Damien’s seated at the dining table, one elbow propped up, his head resting in his palm. His hair’s tousled like he’s run his hand through it a hundred times tonight.“Hey there,” I say, softly.His head snaps up.“You’re awake?” His voice is low.
Damien Shaw I help Imogene off the examination table slowly, my hands gripping her waist. She's light and it unsettles me more than I let on. She sits up and swings her legs over the edge, her fingers resting on my forearm to steady herself."I'm okay," she says softly.She’s not. But I nod anyway. We walk out of the room together and back into the office, where Dr. Rogers is typing something into her computer. The click of the keys fills the silence.She looks up and smiles, though there's a trace of something behind her eyes. Concern, maybe. Caution."Everything looks good so far," she says. "But we’re entering the home stretch now. Just a few more weeks. You both need to be careful, especially you, Imogene."Imogene nods politely. “We will.”I thank her and reach for the door handle, ready to leave. I’m already thinking about the drive home, when Dr Rogers calls out to me. “Damien, could I speak to you for a second?”I stop and glance at Imogene.“I’ll wait in the car,” she
Damien Shaw“You worry too much,” she says. “I’m fine.”I don’t believe her. But I let it slide. For now.I bring her hand to my lips and kiss it gently, holding on a little longer. Then I lean back and press on the gas, taking us the rest of the way.We pull into the hospital’s underground lot. I park, unbuckle, and rush around to open her door. She steps out slowly, her hand finding mine. Her fingers are colder than usual.Inside, the halls are clean, overly bright. We walk in silence to Dr. Roger’s office.She’s waiting when we arrive. “Glad to see Damien’s with you today.”I offer a hand. “Nice to see you too, Doctor.”We sit side-by-side, the chairs squeaking slightly beneath us. Imogene sits with perfect posture, her dress flowing around her legs.“So,” Dr. Roger says gently, “how are you feeling about everything?”“I’m fine,” Imogene says with a small smile.Her hand is in mine. I squeeze it.The doctor nods slowly. “Let’s go to the examination room. I want to check on the tw
Damien Shaw Returning to the living room, something feels...off.Imogene’s still sitting at the dining table, arms wrapped tightly around Lily. Her head turns the moment she hears me, and just like that, she lets go.I step closer. “Everything okay?”She lifts her face and gives me a smile. It's warm but it doesn’t reach her eyes. I see it immediately. “Just feeling a little emotional,” she says.I nod slowly. I don’t push, even though every instinct in me is screaming that something’s not right. “Eat up,” I say instead, nodding toward her plate.She nods and picks up her fork. I head to the counter, grab Lily’s pink backpack, and step outside. The spring air hits me as I open the back door of the car and slide Lily’s bag inside. My phone buzzes in my pocket, but I ignore it. By the time I’m back inside, Imogene’s finished eating. She wipes her lips gently, her eyes briefly flickering up to meet mine. I offer my hand.“Let’s go,” I say.She places her hand in mine. Lily ski
The last chapter has been edited. Read before you proceed. Imogene Scott Sunlight spills across the bed like golden syrup, warm and soft against my skin. I shift under the sheets, groaning quietly as I feel the heat against my eyelids. I blink once, then again, and finally push myself up on my elbow. Damien stands by the window, arms folded, wearing that smug little smile he always wears when he thinks he’s caught me being adorable. He’s already dressed in a gray fitted T-shirt and black joggers. His hair is damp from a shower, and he looks annoyingly refreshed. “Rise and shine, sweetie.” I groan and drag the covers over my head. “Ugh… it’s too early in the morning.” “It’s almost eleven,” he says with a chuckle. I fling the duvet back just enough to peek at him. “How did I sleep for that long?” He walks over, sits on the edge of the bed, and leans in with a playful glint in his eye. “Because I cuddled you in my arms all night.” I snort. “No. You’re not my sleeping pill.” “S
Imogene Scott As soon as Damien walks out the door, I let out a slow breath. It’s soft, almost soundless, like I’m trying not to break something fragile that still lives inside me. Maybe it’s me. Maybe I’m what’s fragile now. He really cares about me. I know that. Every word, every touch, every look tonight, he’s trying. He always has. But the truth is, I’m struggling. I don’t know where I’m at anymore. Everything feels fuzzy, like the world has gone slightly out of focus and I’m squinting to make it make sense again. I sit up slowly, brushing my hair back from my face. It’s still damp from the shower earlier, curling at the ends in soft, stubborn waves. I reach for my slippers and slide my feet in. They make a soft shuffling sound against the hardwood as I walk toward the door. It’s just 8 p.m. The hallway is dim and the air smells faintly of pancakes, probably and something else... cinnamon maybe. Damien must’ve added cinnamon. I smile a little at the thought. He always adds t