Her Purpose || Kai Parker

Chapter 2

FLASHBACK

Year 1846

In the Salvatore family compound deep in the heart of Mystic Falls, twins Stefan and Estrella were born to Giuseppe and Lily Salvatore. They were meant to fill the Salvatore household with joy, but while Stefan was the family pride, Estrella was treated as an afterthought.

Giuseppe, a man of rigid tradition and stern expectations, viewed his daughter as a burden, a deviation from his grand ambitions. Though Lily tried to shower both children with love, the weight of her husband's disdain wore her down, leaving her efforts faint and fleeting.

Luckily, Estrella had her brothers-Damon, the oldest, and Stefan, the twin brother of hers-to protect her from the cruelty of their father's indifference and wrath. The three siblings' bond was strong, particularly between the twins. Damon, the always-protective older brother, was particularly protective of Estrella and would frequently disobey their father's orders to make her happy. Stefan, as well, was deeply loyal, never leaving her side.

At the extravagant balls thrown at the estate-events where the Salvatore family name was touted in front of high society-Estrella was usually overlooked, forced to hang back while dignified visitors complimented her brothers. But Damon and Stefan never left her by herself. When she was dismissed or disregarded, they would quietly slip her out of the crowd, escorting her up to the rooftop.

There, under a starlight canopy, the three siblings would sit side by side, hiding from the judgment of the world outside. They would laugh and talk and just be, in a place that was their own alone, free from judgment, where only family could weave the silence into magic.

Year 1856

Stefan and Estrella had just turned ten when their world shifted forever. Their mother, Lily-who, despite her struggles, had been a gentle and loving presence-fell gravely ill and passed away. The funeral was held with all the pomp expected of a family like the Salvatores, but the sorrow in the hearts of the children eclipsed any grandeur.

Stefan was inconsolable. As the last of the mourners departed, he lingered by the gravestone, his small shoulders shaking with silent sobs. He looked up at Damon with tear-filled eyes, his voice cracking as he spoke, "You could have at least said goodbye..." Then, without another word, he pulled away from Estrella's grasp and ran off into the trees, disappearing into the fog-laced cemetery.

Estrella stood there, her heart aching as she watched her twin vanish into the distance. She turned slowly to Damon, whose eyes were distant and unreadable. His face wore a sad, quiet expression-one not of regret, but of silent burden.

"Everything will be alright," he said softly, his voice a low reassurance meant more for himself than for her.

Estrella stepped forward and, without hesitation, wrapped her arms around him in a tender embrace. Damon blinked, startled at first, then gently placed a hand on her back, his palm resting with surprising gentleness.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice quieter now, more vulnerable.

"I'm comforting you," she whispered, her head resting against his chest. "Just like you did for us. You had no one to do that for you."

Damon let out a soft, unexpected laugh-one that held more sorrow than humor-and hugged her a little tighter. In that moment, the weight of his role as the eldest seemed to lift, even just slightly.

"Besides," Estrella added with a playful smile, "my hugs have powers. They're magical."

He chuckled again, this time with genuine warmth, and nodded. "Indeed they are," he murmured, his voice laced with affection as he kissed the top of her head.