The morning sun filtered through the curtains as Isabel stretched lazily in bed. The previous night's conversation with Damien still lingered in her mind, but today, she wanted to focus on something lighthearted. They had planned to go shopping together, and the thought of spending the day with him made her smile.

Dressed in a soft beige sweater and jeans, she met Damien at the entrance of her apartment. He leaned against his car, dressed in a fitted black shirt that subtly highlighted his lean yet muscular physique.

"You look beautiful," he said with a soft smirk, opening the car door for her.

She chuckled, slipping inside. "Flattery this early in the morning? What are you up to?"

"Just appreciating my soon-to-be wife," he replied, stealing a quick glance at her as he started the engine. Isabel felt warmth spread through her chest. She really was lucky to have him, wasn't she?

Their shopping trip was filled with stolen glances and playful teasing. Damien, despite claiming to dislike malls, indulged her in picking out outfits, occasionally pulling her close under the pretense of checking the fit of a scarf or adjusting a collar. Isabel found herself lost in the easy rhythm of their time together, laughing as he commented on absurdly overpriced items.

"Do people really pay this much for a jacket?" he asked, holding up a ridiculously expensive coat.

She grinned. "Well, some people like luxury."

He gave her a teasing look. "And you?"

She shrugged playfully. "I like whatever my fiancé buys for me."

Damien let out a low chuckle. "Smart answer."

As evening fell, they decided to grab coffee before heading back. The streets were buzzing with people, the crisp air carrying the scent of roasted chestnuts from a nearby vendor. Isabel slipped her hand into Damien's as they strolled toward his car, enjoying the peaceful moment.

But peace was short-lived.

Just as they reached the parking lot, a man staggered forward, clearly intoxicated. His bloodshot eyes scanned Damien before a sneer curled his lips. "You think you're better than me, huh? Walking around like some big shot?"

Isabel tensed, instinctively stepping closer to Damien, but he remained eerily calm. "I don't want any trouble," he said smoothly, his voice devoid of fear.

The man scoffed. "Yeah? Then why do you look like a guy who needs to be put in his place?"

Before Isabel could react, the man swung his fist towards Damien.

What happened next was so fast that Isabel barely processed it. Damien sidestepped effortlessly, catching the man's wrist mid-air with an iron grip. In a single swift motion, he twisted the man's arm behind his back, forcing him to stumble forward with a pained groan. His movements were too precise, too practiced—as if he had done this a thousand times before.

"I'd suggest you walk away now," Damien said, his voice dangerously low.

The man grunted, clearly in pain, before nodding frantically. Damien released him, and he stumbled away, muttering curses under his breath.

Isabel stared at Damien, her heart racing. She had never seen him react like that before. No hesitation, no panic—only sharp, calculated movements. It wasn't the reaction of an ordinary man; it was something else entirely.

Damien turned to her, his expression unreadable. "Are you okay?"

She blinked, snapping out of her daze. "Y-yeah... Are you?"

He smiled, his usual warmth returning. "Of course. Come on, let's go home."

As they drove back, Isabel glanced at him from the corner of her eye. The way he had moved, the way he had controlled the situation so effortlessly—it wasn't normal.

But she shook the thought away. Damien was strong, that's all. Maybe he had learned some self-defense over the years like me, but his skills were far more refined than I had expected.

Still, as they reached home and she climbed into bed, she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling lingering in her chest.

Something about tonight felt different. She thought Damien might be hiding something but quickly scolded herself for doubting him so much. Still, whatever Damien was hiding couldn't possibly compare to her own secret—one so dark, so terrifying, that only her family knew the truth.

As exhaustion took over, Isabel finally drifted into sleep. But in the depths of her dreams, shadows from her past loomed, reminding her that secrets, no matter how deeply buried, never stay hidden forever. Even though she knew this, she couldn't summon the courage to tell Damien.