Dark Desires

chapter 1

Another day.
It’s morning, and thankfully, it’s Saturday—no college, no classes.

A loud bang rattles my door. I groan, dragging myself out of bed to open it. Vaughn stands there, arms crossed, eyeing me with a smirk.

"Why are you always so sleepy, Pookie?" he teases.

I roll my eyes. I really wish he’d stop calling me that. I nod silently, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

Suddenly, two tiny feet rush forward, clutching Vaughn’s leg tightly. I glance down. It’s not Valentina or James, Vaughn’s kids—this little one is someone else.

"Who’s kid is this?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

Vaughn’s smirk grows. "Sorry to bother you, but would you babysit this cutie? She’s Damon’s daughter."

I freeze. Damon has a daughter?

"Where’s his girlfriend? Couldn’t she take care of her?" The words slip out before I can stop them.

Vaughn’s expression softens, sighing deeply. "Damon’s ex left her with him. She dumped Sarah like trash. He’s been raising her alone."

My stomach twists. I assumed wrong.

"She’s such a sweet soul. Her mother must be a monster to abandon her like that," I murmur.

Vaughn nods. "Yeah... Anyway, take care of her for now. We’ve got a society meeting in my private lobby."

I nod reassuringly. "I’ll look after her."

I lead little Sarah into my room. She's holding tightly onto my hand, her big brown eyes curious.

"Let me just change, okay?" I tell her, handing her a pink stuffed teddy to keep her occupied.

I quickly swap into a pair of denim shorts and a white bandeau corset top. When I turn around, Sarah’s hugging the teddy, whispering to it like it’s her best friend. I smile.

We play for a while—she giggles as I teach her new words. She's so full of light, innocent and curious. Her hair is dark, just like Damon’s, but those warm brown eyes... they must be from her mother. I wonder what Damon’s ex looks like.

After a while, Sarah starts mumbling and squirming in my lap. She’s hungry.

I lift her effortlessly onto my hip and head to the kitchen. I mix up some formula, and the second the bottle touches her hands, she drinks eagerly.

As I turn to leave the kitchen, a familiar presence catches my attention. Damon stands in the doorway, his gaze locked onto mine.

The meeting isn’t over—he must’ve stepped out for a break. His eyes linger, searching mine, and for a moment, we’re frozen.

"Hey, it’s been a long time," I manage, breaking the silence.

Damon chuckles softly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Hi, little one. You’ve grown up… into a beautiful woman."

Little one.
That nickname. I feel my face heat.

Sarah, oddly quiet, doesn’t lunge toward Damon like I expect.

"Looks like your daughter forgot who her dad is," I joke, holding her closer.

Damon shifts awkwardly, his deep voice softening. "She doesn’t have a mother. Maybe she feels closer to you."

I smile gently. "She’s adorable. She’s been nothing but sweet the whole time."

Damon bends down, kissing Sarah’s cheek. She smiles and babbles at him, hugging his neck briefly.

"See you later, cutie. Don’t trouble Melania, okay?"

He waves as he heads back to the meeting, leaving me standing there with Sarah in my arms, my heart racing.

Back in my room, I turn on some nursery rhymes. Sarah and I dance around together, her laugh filling the room. Not long after, Vaughn’s kids—Valentina and James—barge in, joining the fun.

"Do you love playing with them, Sarah?" I ask.

"Yess!" she squeals, her bubbly voice melting my heart.

She clings to me throughout the day, peppering me with hugs. I wish she were mine. Damon must’ve struggled raising her alone, but he’s doing his best. He’s such a cute girl dad.

I’ve secretly loved Damon for years, but he’s never looked at me the way I look at him. Why would someone like him be interested in someone like me?

If Vaughn or Oliver found out I had feelings for Damon, they’d tease me relentlessly—probably say I have “daddy issues.” But deep down, I know my dad wouldn’t approve.

As the meeting stretches on, Sarah starts to get cranky. I gently rock her in my arms until she falls asleep, her tiny body soft against mine. I lay her down on my bed, tucking her in carefully.

Later, I sit with Valentina and James, helping them with their homework.

---

Flashback – 10 Years Ago

"Ouch! Vaughn, those boys pushed me into the mud!" 11-year-old me sobbed, clutching my scraped knee.

Damon, just a teenager then, stormed toward the boys, eyes blazing. "Get the hell out of here! Don’t you dare touch her again!"

The boys scattered, terrified. Vaughn ran inside to fetch the first aid kit.

Damon knelt beside me, his hands gently brushing over my injury. "Don’t worry, little one. I’m here. I won’t let anyone hurt you. If you ever need help, just call my name."

I sniffled, nodding. "Okay, Damon."

Even back then, he was my hero.