VANESSA RESURFACES

DAMIEN

“Damien!” she shouts, her voice sharp, almost furious. It echoes down the driveway, stopping me in my tracks.

I turn, heart pounding, and see Vanessa storming toward me, her face a mask of anger. Anna’s figure stiffens just ahead of me, frozen mid-step. I see her hesitate, and instantly, she rushes inside the house, not saying a word.

I can feel the weight of Vanessa’s gaze as she closes the distance between us. The knot in my stomach tightens, and I know whatever’s coming isn’t going to be good.

“Vanessa, this isn’t the time,” I say through clenched teeth, glancing back at the house where Anna has disappeared.

Vanessa doesn’t care. She’s livid, her eyes narrowing as she steps closer, not giving me an inch to breathe. “You think you can just brush me off like I’m nothing?” she snaps, her voice low but seething. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Damien? You can’t just cut me out of your life!”

I sigh, trying to keep my voice steady. “Vanessa, you showing up like this isn