Bound By Power

The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast a golden hue across the room, gently illuminating Elena's sleeping face. Her lashes fluttered slightly as she breathed, chest rising in calm rhythm, one hand resting lightly over her stomach where a life-still invisible-had just begun to bloom.

Damien entered the room silently, his dark overcoat damp from the Sicilian night rain. The moment he saw her, peace returned to him. He slowly moved toward the bed, removing his coat and gloves, the weight of the outside world shedding off with them. Sitting at her side, he brushed a loose strand of hair from her cheek and bent down, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead.

His hand lowered, hovering gently over her belly. His palm settled softly, as if he could already feel the heartbeat of the life within. His thumb caressed slow circles, his breath hitching slightly. "You're going to change our world," he whispered under his breath, not sure if he was speaking to Elena or the unborn child. "And I'll protect you both. No matter what."

---

Sunlight spilled in through the curtains, birdsong floating in from the garden. Elena blinked awake, rubbing her eyes before turning over to see Damien already dressed, standing near the wardrobe as maids bustled about the room, folding and packing their clothes into elegant leather suitcases.

She sat up, confusion tugging at her features.
"Where are we going?" she asked, voice still wrapped in sleep.

Damien turned, smiling warmly. "On a small vacation, love. Just you and me. Somewhere quiet... peaceful." He stepped closer and brushed his thumb across her cheek. "We deserve that much, don't we?"

Elena's lips curled into a smile, her heart fluttering with excitement.

Just then, Julian and Lorenzo barged in without knocking. Lorenzo's grin was wide and teasing, hands on his hips.
"Wow, a vacation? That's smart," he said. "Because once the baby arrives, you two won't even get a second to sneeze alone."

Damien chuckled, flicking Lorenzo's forehead with mock irritation. "Focus on the company while I'm gone, you idiot. I'm only trusting you for a week."

Julian laughed, ruffling Elena's hair gently as she giggled. "Bring us some souvenirs. And don't let Damien spend all the time reading reports on his phone."

---

Their bags were loaded, passports ready. The private jet waited at a secluded runway under the soft pastels of a setting sun. Damien and Elena boarded hand in hand, unaware that with every mile the plane flew away from Sicily, a storm of blood and betrayal crept closer to their home.

Elena leaned against Damien's shoulder mid-flight, humming softly.
"You know... I feel like something really beautiful is waiting for us on this trip," she murmured.

Damien kissed the top of her head, eyes closed, holding her tighter than he usually did.
"I hope you're right," he whispered.

But deep down, a strange tightness coiled in his chest-a sense of urgency, of borrowed time.

They didn't know it yet...

But this was the last untouched moment of happiness they would share before the darkness swallowed their world whole.
-------

The warm breeze of Rio de Janeiro kissed their faces as Damien and Elena stepped out of the sleek black car that had brought them from the airport to the resort. The hotel loomed before them like a dream-an elegant coastal escape, nestled against a backdrop of towering palm trees and the sparkling blue sea. The lobby shimmered with soft gold accents and native wood carvings; a symphony of tropical scents hung in the air-frangipani, coconut, and the salt of the ocean.