Chapter 16
Apr 30, 2025
Miranda’s POV
It was already late and the sky was dimming into a golden-orange hue when I stood up to go home.
“Let me take you,” he said, picking up his keys.
I shook my head, slipping my hands into my coat pockets. “Don’t bother. It’s just a fifteen-minute walk. I need the air anyway.”
He raised a brow. “Then I’ll walk with you.”
“Damon—”
“I insist,” he cut in, his tone gentle but firm.
So we left the estate, walking side by side in silence. The quiet stretched between us, not awkward but thoughtful. The crisp evening air danced around us, ruffling my hair and making me thankful for the warmth of my coat.
Halfway through the walk, Damon finally spoke. “Why do you pretend to be someone from a humble background when you’re Stevens’ daughter?”
I turned to him, amused. “Pretend?”
He looked at me directly. “You know what I mean. You dress modestly, work in places where no one would guess your status. You even keep your last name hidden.”
I laughed, soft and a little wistful. “It’s just a choice. I wanted to know who I was outside of my lineage. Outside of the weight that comes with being a Stevens.”
He nodded slowly, absorbing my words.
He shrugged. “In some ways. But you can’t really run from who you are.”
I nodded in agreement. For a while, we walked without speaking again, the conversation settling over us like an unspoken understanding. Then, out of nowhere, a raindrop landed on my forehead.
My eyes widened as I glanced up at the sky. “Oh no.”
Damon looked at me. “What’s wrong?”
“I hate rain,” I muttered, already feeling a chill crawl down my spine. “It makes me sick.”
The rain picked up, fat drops pelting the pavement. Damon didn’t hesitate. He took off his jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders before grabbing my hand.
“Come on, there’s a park nearby. We’ll wait it out under the shelter.”
We ran the few steps into the park, ducking under a wooden gazebo nestled between benches and trees. The rain drummed steadily on the roof above us.
I sat on the edge of the bench, shivering. Damon crouched in front of me. “You okay?”
I nodded. “Just… cold. And my head’s starting to ache.”
He pulled out his phone. “I’m calling one of my drivers. He’ll meet us here.”
As he spoke to someone on the line, I tried to calm my breathing, but my chest felt tight. I sniffed, sneezed twice, and wiped my nose with the sleeve of his jacket.
“Ten minutes,” he said after ending the call. “He’ll be here soon.”
“Good,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Damon watched me carefully. “Miranda, your lips are pale. Are you—”
And then everything tilted. My vision blurred. I tried to steady myself, but the ground swayed beneath me.
“Miranda?”
His voice sounded distant. I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came. The next thing I knew, darkness crept in around the edges of my sight, and I felt my knees give way.
“Miranda!”
Strong arms caught me before I hit the ground.
