All Chapters of DAMAGED BUT NOT BROKEN : Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

ROMAN POVI stand outside Claire's door, a smile on my face,Listening to Rose's laughter, warm and full of grace.Helen's soothing voice calms the air,Claire's giggles infectious, beyond compare.I peek inside, a perfect picture I see,Rose reading a bedtime story, Claire snuggled close to thee.Helen sits beside, smiling bright,The three of them, a happy, loving sight.My heart swells with emotion, for a moment, I forget,The blackmail, contract, and lies we've beset.All I see is love, pure and true,Rose's eyes meet mine, and my heart feels anew.She smiles, and I feel hope arise,Maybe we can make this work, and reach the skies.Claire yawns, sleepy, Rose tucks her in tight,Helen kisses her forehead, "Sleep tight, sweetie, goodnight."Rose turns to me, our eyes meet once more,A connection real, not fabricated, I adore.I step back into the shadows, watching over them with care,Protective and loving, with a heart full of hope to share.Later, Rose enters our bedroom, exhauste

ROSE POVI sit with Helen, comfortable and serene,In the living room, where love and trust are seen.Before I speak, I pause with care,"Helen, can I ask you something?" I say, gentle and fair."About Roman?" Helen guesses with insight true,I nod, and Helen takes a deep breath anew."Ask me anything, Rose," Helen says with an open heart,I explain, "I want to understand, and play my part.""I want to know why you left Roman behind,"With his father, a monster, with a heart so unkind.Helen's eyes well up with tears, her voice trembles with fear,"I was scared, Rose, for my life, I had to hold back my tears.""Roman's father was abusive and controlling, a nightmare to face, I had to escape," Helen continues, desperate to find a safe place."But I didn't know what to do with Roman," left behind, alone and blue,My heart breaks for Helen, for Roman, and all they've been through."I was trapped," Helen says, choked with emotion so real,"In a nightmare, with no escape, no way to feel."

DARRICK POV:I pace in my office, waiting with hope,For Mrs. Rose Georgia, our last scope.This meeting could save our company's fate,From bankruptcy's dark and dismal state.But where is he? Late, unprofessional too,Sapphire's voice rises, impatient, "I told you, Darrick, it's true.""You're wasting time with this company's plight,And these people, who can't save the night."I shoot her a warning glance, calm and serene,"Patience, Sapphire, he'll come, our last beam."Sapphire scoffs, rolls her eyes with disdain,"You're naive, thinking some mysterious client will sustain."Our future's on the line, desperation's stake,But Sapphire doesn't understand, my heart does ache.The door bursts open, my assistant's voice so bright,"Mr. Darrick, Mrs Rose Georgia has arrived, all's right."Relief washes over me, but Sapphire's face,Changes from annoyance to shock's dark place."Rose Georgia?" Sapphire repeats, stunned and still,"The woman I have been waiting for?" My heart sinks, wha

ROSE POVI step into the hotel lobby, elegant and serene,Roman and Helen wait outside, loading luggage, a helpful team.I approach the reception desk, with a smile so bright,"Welcome to—" the receptionist starts, but then a voice takes flight."Sapphire," a voice says, familiar, yet detestable too,I turn to face her, poised, polished, but fake, through and through."Sapphire, darling," I say sweetly, with a hint of disdain,"Still clinging to Darrick?" I ask, with a playful, teasing refrain.Sapphire's eyes narrow, her smile forced, a fake concern,"Don't think you've won this round," she warns, with a hint of scorn.My eyes lock onto hers, "Game on," I say with a grin,Sapphire's gaze falters, before she recovers, but I win.Roman appears at my side, supportive and strong,"Ready?" he asks, and I nod, leaving Sapphire seething, all wrong.Roman's arm wraps around me, "Everything okay?" he whispers low,I nod, for now, but this isn't over, no.===============I step into the hotel

ROMAN POV"Sapphire, what happened?" I demand, panic rising."I thought she went with you," Sapphire stammers, fear etched on her face."Darrick took her horseback riding," she adds.My grip tightens on the phone. Alone. No Sapphire. No protection.My mind races. Darrick's obsession. Vixen's past. Danger lurks."Find them," I bark at Sapphire. Now. Get them back. Safe.Sapphire's voice trembles. "Roman, I—" Guilt and regret in her tone."Go!" I shout into the phone. Sapphire's sobs echo as I slam the phone down.Pacing frantically, I plan to rescue Rose from Darrick, protect my love at all costs.============="Sapphire, calm down," I tell her firmly, but she's hysterical."You don't understand," she cries desperately. "What Rose went through with Darrick before."My jaw clenches. "I trust Rose," I insist resolutely.Sapphire's eyes flash. "Trust?" she spits. "You're blind."My patience wears thin. "Sapphire, stop," I warn.The rain intensifies outside."Rain's getting worse," Sapphir