✴ Damien ✴
The Gale mansion felt unusually quiet as I sat alone in the study, the crackling of the fire the only sound breaking the stillness. Scarlett’s visit earlier lingered in my mind, but instead of leaving me reassured, it left a nagging ache of uncertainty. She had seemed earnest enough, her ideas well-thought-out despite their boldness, but something about the encounter didn’t sit right with me. I hated even to consider it, let alone think about it, but was it possible she was only using me? I rubbed my temples as I tried to banish the thought. It was unfair, even cruel, to assume that about Scarlett, but the doubt refused to leave. I had opened up to her and let myself believe there was something real between us. And now, well, now it felt like I was just another stepping stone t
