klaroline story

chapter 7

Caroline stood in Klaus's study, arms crossed, heartbeat uneven.

Klaus could hear it.

Feel it.

And for once, he didn't revel in it.

He hated that he was the reason she was this conflicted.

"Talk," he said again, his voice softer this time.

Caroline exhaled sharply. "I ran into Marcel tonight."

Klaus's entire body went rigid. "Did you now?"

Caroline watched the shift in him—the quiet rage simmering just beneath the surface.

Of course, Klaus wouldn't take this well.

"Before you go all 'vengeful hybrid' on him, he didn't try to hurt me," she clarified.

Klaus clenched his jaw. "No, he wouldn't dare."

Caroline shook her head. "But he did make me an offer."

His eyes darkened. "And what, pray tell, did he offer you?"

Caroline hesitated.

Because saying it out loud made it real.

But Klaus was already too smart—he could see the answer on her face before she even spoke it.

He stepped closer, voice dangerously low.

"He told you to leave, didn't he?"

Caroline swallowed. "He said I had a choice."

Silence.

Then—

A sharp, bitter laugh. "A choice?" Klaus echoed. "And what exactly did he promise you? Safety? Freedom?"

Caroline's hands balled into fists. "He's not the enemy here, Klaus."

Klaus snapped.

"And yet, he's the one planting doubt in your mind, love!"

The force of his voice sent a tremor through the room.

Caroline's breath hitched.

But she didn't back down.

"Do you think I haven't already thought about this?" she fired back. "Every single second since I found out I was pregnant, I've asked myself if this is the right place for me—for them."

Klaus's face softened for just a moment at the mention of the babies.

Then—

"You're afraid," he said, quieter now.

Caroline's throat tightened. "Of course I'm afraid."

She let out a shaky breath. "I know you, Klaus. I know what you're capable of. And I also know that as long as I stay, we'll have a target on our backs. Not just me. Not just you. But them."

Klaus was silent for a long time.

Then—

"I won't let anything happen to them."

Caroline met his gaze.

And for the first time...

She truly believed him.

Not because he was Klaus Mikaelson.

Not because he was the most powerful being she had ever known.

But because he was already their father.

Because he loved them.

And, God help her, she loved him too.

She exhaled, voice trembling. "I'm not leaving."

Klaus stilled.

The words settled between them, heavy and real.

Then—

He closed the distance between them in a single step, his hands cupping her face, his lips crashing into hers.

It wasn't gentle.

It was desperate.

It was a promise.

Caroline melted into him, fingers curling into his shirt, choosing him.

Choosing them.

Because, terrifying or not...

This was her life now.