Unfading Shadows [2]

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"Are you going to speak!" Vince demanded impatiently, his eyes darting between Miray, who was burying her face in Damian's neck - holding him for dear life- to Damian, then back to Luke.

"Sit down and stop shouting," Luke said with calm authority, leaving Miray and Damian in awe of his ability to maintain composure in such situations. Little did they know that behind Luke's tranquil exterior, a trace of nervousness lingered.

Vince, teetering on the edge of explosive anger, restrained himself. Considering Miray's fragile state and Noah's worried expression, he muttered something under his breath before taking a seat at the table, glaring at Luke as if to say, "I'm sitting, now spill."

"Right," Luke began, turning to Miray and gently caressing her shoulder, "Sorry, love, but I've already told Vince. In fact, he knew about this way before our trip," he explained apologetically, then shifted his attention to Vince who's eyebrows furrowed.

Miray felt as if her heart was about to burst, her hands clutching Damian's T-shirt so tightly that the cold sweat on her palms transferred onto the fabric. The thudding of her heart escalated, and she felt like she might faint at any moment.

Feeling her tension escalate, Damian's hand started caressing Miray's back, attempting to soothe her. Though he also was worried sick.

He knew Vince didn't know... he wouldn't act normal if he knew, so what was Luke talking about?

Just as Vince seemed on the verge of exploding again, Luke intervened. "Miray was worried about your reaction to her returning to school, so she asked us not to tell you, afraid it would upset you," he explained calmly. 

The revelation brought an unexpected sense of relief to - basically everyone. Though the school issue had been nerve-wracking for Miray, compared to the fear of Vince discovering the surgery, it suddenly seemed like no big deal.

Vince's demeanor relaxed as he looked at Miray's side, staring at her for a few moments before he stood up and sat next to Damian. "Rei," he sighed, his hand reaching for her velvety hair. "Babe," he demanded, sliding his hand from her hair to her arm and giving it a gentle squeeze. "Babe, look at me," He asked and waited for her to meet his gaze.

Miray shifted slightly, moving from burying her face in Damian's chest to delicately resting her temple on his shoulder to peek at Vince. Her cheeks were tinted with a rosy hue, pressed against Damian's chest. 

Her gaze remained fixated on Vince neck, hesitant to look him in the eyes.

Vince had always been perceptive, and while that usually warmed her heart that she had someone who cared so much and knew her too well, in moments like this, it fueled her fear of being exposed.

Vince felt a surge of fondness as he observed Miray in her oversized light peach hoodie, looking incredibly tiny. Nestled in Damian's lap, she seemed even more delicate, emitting an aura of vulnerability and cuteness that stirred Vince's protective instincts. He couldn't help but feel the familiar overwhelming urge to scoop her up, hold her close, and never let go.

However, as he observed her angelic features that had always captured his heart, the sight of tears in her eyes troubled him, and he felt a tight knot forming in his abdomen.

Something deep within him twisted every time Miray cried, especially after the surgery. There was this strange sensation that felt both physically and emotionally painful.