CHAPTER 3 — “THE PRICE OF TOUCHING HER” (FINAL CHAPTER)
Three hours later.
The Ashford estate was surrounded.
Mercy didn’t exist in the air anymore.
Only consequence.
Inside the marble hall, Chloe’s father was forced to kneel.
For the first time in his life.
He looked up at Damien.
Chloe’s Father: “Name your price. We can fix this—money, influence—anything.”
Damien crouched slightly.
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
Damien: “You built your life on money.”
A pause.
Damien: “I built mine on graves.”
Silence.
He stood.
Damien: “You touched what is mine.”
The words landed like a sentence.
Not a threat.
A conclusion.
Cut to hospital.
Maren lying on a clean bed.
Baby heartbeat stable.
Damien sitting beside her, still in his blood-stained suit.
She whispers:
Maren: “You didn’t have to destroy them…”
He looks at her quietly.
Damien: “I didn’t do it because I had to.”
A pause.
Damien: “I did it because you survived alone.”
Her hand slowly reaches his.
FINAL SCENE
Outside the window, Boston lights glow quietly.
The world continues.
But not for them.
Damien (softly): “No one touches you again.”
Maren closes her eyes.
May you like
For the first time in years…
She believes it.
