Page 200 of My Ruthless Husband

I hear Caleb’s footsteps as he finally pushes to his feet before running.

Raleigh’s lip trembles. “Y-yeah,” he stammers, his eyes flicking nervously back to where Caleb had been. “You—you saved us, Damian.”

I can’t help the way my chest tightens at that. Saved them? I wasn’t saving anyone. I was just doing what needed to be done.

I reach up and swipe the dirt from his damp cheek.

I shift my attention to her and move to check her arms. She winces as I touch her wrist, but there’s nothing serious. Just scratches. I let out a breath of relief.

“They won’t hurt you again,” I vow. I won’t let them. I won’t let anyone hurt them again.

They nod, the trust in their faces unmistakable, and my stomach twists. I don’t deserve it. But there they are, looking at me like I’m the one who can keep them safe. It’s a heavy feeling, one that I don’t know how to handle.

I stand up, my hand brushing against my mouth where I can still taste blood from where that asshole landed a hit.

They don’t say much as I lead them back inside. Raleigh clings to my side, just a little closer than usual, and Summer’s small hand slips into mine.

It’s understandable that they need me close right now. But what I didn’t expect was what came next. As we sit down, Raleigh and Summer settle beside me, their gazes fixed on me.

For the first time since I’ve met them, there’s a shift. It’s subtle, but it’s there. Their eyes aren’t just looking at me anymore. They’re looking up to me.

I avert my gaze and set to work. I go to the kitchen and make them sandwiches. They follow me. I feel their eyes the entire time.

“Damian?” Summer asks, breaking the silence with that quiet, hopeful voice.

“Hmm?” I don’t turn as I get two plates out.

“Thank you,” she whispers. “For everything.”

I don’t know how to respond to that, so I just nod.

Even after polishing off the sandwiches, they don’t leave my side. When I move to the bedroom, they follow me there as well.

And as I sit there with Raleigh leaning against me and Summer at my side, I realize something. They look at me the way no one else ever has in a really long time. With trust. With adoration. Like I’m the one who will keep them safe.

Two weeks go by but they keep following me around. “Damian, do you need help with that?” Raleigh asks, standing awkwardly near the kitchen table where I’m already preparing my breakfast.

I stare at him with one eye, the other swollen shut from Caleb’s dad’s beatings two days ago. I limp toward the fridge.

“No. You should go outside and play.”

Summer appears in the doorway, her small hands wrapped tightly around her worn stuffed animal, her eyes wide with concern. “Damian, you need to rest.”

I grunt in response, pulling open a drawer to grab a knife. I know they’re worried. Hell, they’realwaysworried. Ever since Caleb lied to his parents, claiming I stole money from him, his dad’s been beating the hell out of me every other day. I knew this was coming. It was only a matter of time. Caleb is too proud to admit getting beaten up by me so he framed me this way instead.

But the worst part isn’t even the bruises. I can handle the pain. But what I despise is that Caleb’s father hits me in front of Summer and Raleigh.

The way they are forced to watch, their faces pale, eyes wide with worry hurts more than any punch. They’re convinced this is all happening because of them, and no matter what I say, I can’t get it through their heads that they’re not to blame.

I eat in silence, can’t help but feel awkward as they hover the entire time.

After I’m done, I wash the plate and head toward the door. When I hear footsteps behind me, I whirl around. “Stop following me around,” I snap, the words harsher than I intended.

Summer flinches, her lower lip trembling, but she doesn’t back down. “We just wanted to be with you.”

I exhale heavily. I don’t know why I’m doing this.

“Fine,” I mutter. “You can come with me.”

---