Where Darkness Learned Breath by Rylor Dusk 71

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Damien pov 

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My voice went cold. “But a year later, I overheard a phone call. Father was talking to someone about ‘medication adjustments‘ and ‘keeping him 

sedated. I heard him say Marcus’s name.” 

Aria’s eyes widened. “He was alive.” 

“Father had him locked away in a private psychiatric institution. Told the staff Marcus was dangerously insane, a threat to himself and 

others. Kept him drugged, isolated, erased from existence.” The rage I’d buried for years 

threatened to surface. “I confronted Father about 

1. it. He backhanded me across the face and said if I ever mentioned Marcus again, I’d join him.” 

“You were just a kid,” Aria whispered. 

“When he was seventeen, locked in that facility, 

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he once called me, begged me to get him out. And I told him I couldn’t because our Father knew 

best, that he needed to get better. But I was a coward,” 

I corrected bitterly. “I knew my brother was being held prisoner, probably tortured by whatever ‘treatments‘ they were giving him, and I did nothing. I went to university, took over the company, lived my life while Marcus rotted in that place for years.” 

“Damien, you couldn’t have.” 

“I could have.” My voice was harsh. “I had access to money, resources, and lawyers. But I was too afraid of Father, too focused on my own ambitions. I told myself Marcus was dangerous, that Father was right to keep him locked up. I abandoned him just like Father did.” 

“When did he escape?” 

“A few years ago. That’s when I discovered the 

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institution that had been keeping him all these years–until he escaped during a facility transfer” I turned to look at her. “Marcus spent years in hell because of what Father did. And he blames 

me for it, for not saving him. For inheriting everything that should have been his, for having the life, the family, the freedom he never got.” 

“So this is revenge.” 

“This is justice,” I said quietly. “At least in his mind. He’s not just trying to hurt me, Aria. He’s trying to make me feel exactly what he felt–powerless, violated, watching everything I love slip away while I can do nothing to stop it.” 

Aria was quiet for a long moment. “The cameras, the kidnapping. The photographs of Noah…” 

“All designed to make me suffer slowly. To take away my sense of safety, control, and family.” My hands tightened on the wheel. “Marcus isn’t just psychotic. He’s methodical and patient. And he 

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won’t stop until he’s destroyed everything I have.” 

Aria pov 

The car stopped as Damien turned to face me. 

“He’s right,” he said quietly. “I failed him. Just like I failed you. And now he wants to destroy everything I love to make me feel what he felt- abandoned, powerless, alone.” 

“Then we don’t let him.” I cupped his face, forcing him to meet my eyes. “We protect Noah. We stop Marcus, and we end this cycle of Blackwood men destroying everyone they’re supposed to love.” 

“How?” 

“Together.” I leaned forward, my forehead resting against his. “Like you keep saying, we do this together.” 

“Mama? Daddy?” Noah’s voice came from the backseat. “Why are you sitting so close?” 

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We pulled apart as Damien cleared his throat. 

“Just talking, buddy.” 

“About the bad man?” 

“No.” I turned to smile at him. “About what kind of friend rabbit Mr. Hoppy wants.” 

“A girl rabbit!” Noah bounced in his seat. “With pink ears!” 

“Pink ears it is.” Damien got out and opened Noah’s door. “Come on, let’s go see your new 

room.” 

We rode the elevator up to the penthouse–all seventy stories, with Noah counting each floor excitedly. When the doors opened, I stepped into a space that took my breath away. 

Floor–to–ceiling windows overlooked the city. Modern furniture in shades of grey and black. And despite the cold elegance, touches of warmth–photos on the mantle, a soft throw on 

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the couch, books scattered on the coffee table. 

“Noah’s room is this way.” Damien led us down a hallway. “I had it prepared when… well, just in 

case.” 

He opened a door to reveal a child’s paradise. Race car bed, toy chest overflowing with options, a reading nook with pillows and books, even a small basketball hoop. 

Noah’s mouth fell open. “This is mine?” 

“All yours.” Damien set him down. “Go explore.” 

Noah took off running, Mr. Hoppy flying behind him like a cape. 

I turned to Damien. “You prepared this? “Damien” 

My phone buzzed with a text from an unknown 

number. 

My fingers went numb as I opened it. 

Enjoying the new living arrangements? How 

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domestic. Don’t get too comfortable. I’m just getting started. And next time, I won’t send a photographer. -M 

Attached was a photo. Of me, Damien, and Noah 

in the school parking lot. Taken from close range. Marcus hadn’t sent someone to watch us or he 

been there himself. 

I showed Damien the phone with shaking hands. Watched his face go white, then red with fury. 

“He was there.” My voice came out barely a whisper. “The whole time. While we were inside with the police, with Noah.” 

“Mama? Daddy?” Noah appeared in the doorway, holding a toy truck. “Why do you both look 

scared?” 

Damien pocketed my phone and forced a smile. “We’re not scared, buddy, just tired.” 

“Are the bad men coming here?” 

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“No.” I knelt down, pulling Noah into my arms. 

“The bad men can’t get in here. This place is like a 

fortress. You’re safe.” 

“Promise?” His blue eyes–so much like his 

father’s–searched mine. 

“I promise.” I held him tight. “Nothing bad is going to happen to you. Daddy and I won’t let it.” 

“Okay.” He hugged me back, then wriggled free. “Can I watch cartoons?” 

“Sure, baby. Whatever you want.” 

He ran off to explore more of the penthouse. Damien and I stood in the hallway, the weight of everything crushing down on us. 

“We need to end this,” I said quietly. “Before he makes good on his threats.” 

“I know.” Damien pulled out his phone. “I’ll call the dectective, tell her about the text.” 

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“That won’t be enough, marcus is always one step 

ahead.” 

“Then we get ahead of him.” His eyes met mine, 

cold and determined. “We use ourselves as bait to 

draw him out.” 

“Are you insane? He could.” 

“He could hurt Noah.” Damien moved closer. 

“That’s his endgame, Aria. Hurt me by destroying what I love. And right now, that’s you and our 

son.” 

“So we let him come after us instead?” 

“We let him think he’s won.” His hand found mine. 

“We play his game, but on our terms. Controlled environment with heavy security. And when he makes his move, we’re ready.” 

It was dangerous. Reckless. Exactly the kind of plan that could backfire spectacularly. But looking into Damien’s eyes, I saw the same desperation I 

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felt. The need to protect Noah at any cost. 

Even if that cost was ourselves. 

“Okay,” I whispered. “We’ll do it your way. But Damien—if anything happens to Noah because of 

this.” 

“It won’t.” He pulled me into his arms. “I swear on everything I am, nothing will happen to our son. I’ll die before I let Marcus touch him.” 

“Don’t.” I gripped his shirt. “Don’t talk about dying.” 

“Then let’s talk about living.” He tilted my chin up. “About what happens when this is over and we’re all safe. About the future we’re going to build together.” 

“You’re very confident about that future.” 

“I have to be.” His thumb brushed my cheek. “Because the alternative–a world where I lose 

you and Noah again–isn’t one I can survive.” 

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Before I could respond, Noah came running back down the hallway. 

“Daddy! Mama! The TV is HUGE!” His eyes were wide with excitement. “Can we watch movies tonight? As a family?” 

Damien and I exchanged glances over his head. So much left unsaid, so many threats still looming. But for now, for this moment, we could give him this. 

“Sure, buddy.” I ruffled his hair. “Movie night it is.” 

“With popcorn?” 

“With all the popcorn you can eat.” 

“Yes!” He pumped his fist and ran back to the living room. 

I started to follow, but Damien caught my wrist. 

“Aria? Thank you.” 

“For what?” 

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“For trusting me. For letting me protect you both.” His grip tightened. “I won’t let you down 

this time.” 

“You better not.” I pulled free. “Because if you do, there won’t be a fourth chance.” 

“I know.” He followed me down the hallway. “This is it, my last shot at being the man you and Noah deserve.” 

I wanted to tell him he was already becoming that man. That the father who made terrible pancakes and bought friend rabbits and stayed up watching our son sleep was someone I could maybe, possibly, eventually forgive. 

But forgiveness was a luxury we couldn’t afford. Not yet. Not while Marcus was still out there, watching, waiting, planning. 

So instead, I just nodded and went to join Noah in the living room. 

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Behind me, I heard Damien on the phone with his 

security team, his voice low and urgent. And somewhere out there, I knew Marcus was watching. Waiting for his moment to strike. 

But this time, we’d be ready. 

This time, we’d end him before he could hurt anyone else we loved. 

My phone buzzed one more time. Another message from Marcus: 

Your son is adorable. It would be a shame if 

something happened to him. Sweet dreams, Aria. 

-M 

I deleted the message with shaking hands and looked at Noah, curled up on the couch waiting 

for his movie. 

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