“I'm just going to crash here tonight. I'm exhausted.” Damien plops on the couch and closes his eyes. He doesn't even look where he throws his coat.

Darla looks at the man, hesitating. Should she say it now or let him rest first?

“What do you want to say, Darla?”

Darla frowns. “How did you know?”

Damien opens his eyes. “I've known you for eight years. Tell me.”

The woman simply hums and leans against the couch. “You wouldn't agree.”

Damien raises his brow, urging Darla to continue. 

“Alright, then. Since you want to know it so bad.” Darla looks at Damien with determination and feigned bravery. “Let's get married.”

Damien's eyes widen. “Excuse me?”

“I said, let's get married.”

“Wait, hold on.” Damien scoots back, suddenly fearing for his life. “Say it again.”

Darla rolls her eyes. “I want you to marry me. Stop asking me the same thing over and over again!”

Damien's face morphs into a serious expression. “Darla, don't play around. You understand really well why I refused to get married. What would happen to you after I die? Who would take care of you?”

Darla smiles and takes Damien's shaking hands, pressing her lips gently on them. “I know what  I'm getting myself into. I'm your nurse, remember? I have taken care of you for four years.”

Damien shakes his head and pulls his hands. “You don't understand. This goes beyond my disease and wealth. My family is complicated. I already have Nana to worry about, I can't allow you to step into danger.”

“Damien-”

Damien shakes his head and stands up. He picks up his coat from the floor. “My decision is final. I am not marrying you. I did not save you only to send you back to death.”

He turns around and walks to the door. Darla doesn't waste time and runs to him, blocking the door. “I won't force you, but please think about this carefully. If you are worried about Nana, then don't. I'll be there for her.”

Damien grits his teeth. “Why are you pushing me to my limit?” 

Darla takes a step forward and grabs Damien's collar, her face showing suppressed anger. “Because I am the only one who dares.” 

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Why am I  so stupid? Marry him?  I must be out of my mind!” Darla paces back and forth, biting her nail. A bad habit Damien has always hated and scolded her for.

She finally settles on the couch, her breathing uneven. Damien left hours ago, but his cologne still lingers. She sighs. That's right, she is out of her mind.

She didn't think much before proposing to Damien. “But he is my saviour…” She mumbles and closes her eyes. 

Just then, her phone rings. She jerks in shock, eyes frantically looking for her phone.

Damien.

“Hello?”

“Do you really want to marry me?” A deep voice is heard from the other side.

Darla thinks for a second. “Yes.”

“And are you aware of the danger you will put yourself into? And the fact that I'm dying soon?”

Darla's heart thumps. “Yes.”

“Don't say I didn't warn you, Darla Harris. Once we exchange vows, we are bound for life. You no longer have a way out.”

“I don't need a way out.”

The call ends. Darla stares at the screen, wondering if she hallucinated.