Why did you ruin everything between us
Dora held Austin’s hand and was smiling.
“It’s perfect,” she said, not even noticing their fingers were still joined. Their eyes stayed on each other, full of love.Then the nurse came in, holding their baby.
The soft cry of their son, Amayr, filled the room.
Dora’s eyes went wide. Just a few hours ago, he was inside her. Now, he was here, in her arms.
Her lips trembled. Austin moved behind her and gently helped her sit up. He looked at the nurse and gave a small nod.
She saw a little hand sticking out of the blanket. He was crying, annoyed by the change. Dora laughed quietly, tears already in her eyes.
Her chest felt tight. “He has your eyes,” she said softly.
“But he looks like you,” Austin replied, his hand moving gently across her back.
She kissed her baby’s soft cheek and whispered, “Mommy loves you, my beautiful Amayr.”
Austin saw how much this meant to her. He leaned in and kissed her forehead.
“I love you, Catty,” he said, not expecting a reply.
Suddenly, the door opened again. Daniel walked in, smirking.
Austin wrapped his arms around Dora and the baby, protectively.
Dora blinked in shock. She looked at Daniel, then at Austin. She had not realized who helped them. All she remembered was fear… and Austin’s face.
Daniel gave her a cheeky smile. “I knowI look amazing.”
“She’s surprised to see you,” Austin said without even turning to look.
Dora turned to him, waiting for an explanation.
Austin sighed. “It’s a long story. Rest now. I’ll explain later. Just know, he saved us.”
Dora’s body shook as flashes of the past came back.
Austin felt it and held her arm gently.
“Douglas’s in jail,” he said. “He won’t come near you or our son. I’ll make sure he pays.”
He looked at the faded marks on her skin. Then, he kissed the spot gently.
“I’ll help you forget,” he said softly.
Dora closed her eyes.
Daniel rolled his eyes. “Seriously? In front of the baby?”
“You walked in,” Austin said calmly.
“Thank you, Dan,” Dora said. Her tears fell again.
Daniel smiled. “Save the thank you. One day, I’ll ask for something in return.”
******
Two Months Later
Dora stood in front of the building. Her hands shook. It was not the cold, it was fear.
She still had nightmares. But today, she was ready to face it.
Austin stood close and pulled her in.
“You’re safe now. He can’t hurt you again,” he said gently.
Dora nodded, trying to be brave. With him by her side, she could do it.
“I know,” Dora said, taking a deep breath. “As long as you’re by my side.”
After completing the formalities, Austin and Dora were led to the visitor’s area.
The room was small and square, with no windows. A half-glass wall divided the space. The bottom part was concrete, and two phones were fixed on both sides of the glass.
Dora focused on her breathing, just like Sienna once taught her.
Austin never let go of her hand. He gently stroked it, trying to calm her.
Then, the door on the other side opened.
Douglas walked in with a soft smile. His green eyes lit up when he saw Dora. He looked happy, too happy. Without taking his eyes off her, he walked over and sat down.
He quickly picked up the phone, eager to hear her voice again.
But Dora didn’t look at him. Her hands shook as she clutched the phone on her side.
“Hello,” he said calmly. His voice hadn’t changed, not even after everything he had done.
For a moment, Dora forgot the monster he was. She forgot that this was the same man who had slit Lindy’s throat. The same man who had forced himself on her.
He looked like the Douglas she once knew, the man who waited for her outside Austin’s apartment, full of warmth and charm.
“You look beautiful.” His words broke the illusion.
Dora stayed silent. Austin squeezed her hand gently, and she turned to look at him.
He gave her a small nod, encouraging her.
She turned back to Douglas. He was still looking at her, like no one else in the room existed.
“You won’t talk to me before I die?” Douglas asked. His voice cracked slightly.
“They said it was your last wish,” she replied quietly. Her tone was flat, but deep inside, she felt a strange sadness. There was a sorrow in his eyes she couldn’t ignore.
“Thank you for coming,” he said, and that sadness quickly faded from his face.
“Why did you do it?” she asked, her voice breaking. “Why did you ruin everything between us?”
She thought of all the times they laughed, fought, and shared good moments with Sienna. Her heart ached.
“I don’t regret anything,” he replied. There was no anger, just a quiet acceptance in his voice.
“She loves you,” Dora whispered, holding Austin’s hand tighter.
“Do you believe in love at first sight?” Douglas asked suddenly.
When she didn’t reply, he gave a soft laugh.
“Me neither. But when I first saw you walking in that garden, I knew I was in love.
I let you go when I found out you were married. But the next time I saw you, in court, during your divorce hearing, I knew that was my chance.”
“I thank my stars for that day,” he said, pressing his hand to the glass, tracing her face with his eyes. “I wasn’t supposed to attend my property case, but something told me to go. And then I saw you. That was my gift.”
“Why didn’t you defend yourself for Paulina’s murder?” Dora’s voice cracked again. “Maybe you could’ve gotten life in prison instead of…”
She couldn’t finish. Her shoulders shook as she cried.
She knew she should hate him for what he did. But death felt too heavy… too final.
He was there during some of her darkest days, and now he sat here, alone, waiting to die.
“I’ll love you until my last breath,” Douglas said gently. “And if I somehow live… I’ll keep chasing you.”
Dora broke down. She cried hard, pressing her palm against the glass, right where his hand was.
Austin didn’t stop her. He didn’t say a word. She needed to release the pain she had buried for so long.
Austin looked at Douglas and saw a single tear roll down his cheek.
There was a flash of regret in his eyes, but it disappeared just as quickly.
“Dora,” Douglas said, catching her attention.
“I’ve transferred the forest mansion and all my assets to your name.”
Dora and Austin were shocked.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Douglas chuckled. “I lost my business, not my family shares.”
He saw the doubt in Dora’s eyes, she thought he stole it.
“I can’t accept it,” she said, pulling her hand away.
“You have to. That mansion holds my only happy memory, three months with you. Even if it was forced... it mattered to me.”
His voice dropped. “Please.” Then the guard signaled time was up.
“Tell Sienna I’m sorry,” he said.
“I love you,” he added with deep emotion.
He turned to Austin. “Mr. Austin, you met her for the first time. Take care of her... In the next life, she’s mine.”
Douglas stood, gave Dora one last look, and walked away.
******
The ride home was silent. Dora cried, and Austin let her.
“Can we visit Sienna now?” she asked at a red light.
“Okay,” he replied.
At Sienna’s flat, the door was open. She stood on the balcony, staring blankly. Douglas’s betrayal had drained the fire from her. She loved him with her soul, and he broke it.
She turned, saw Dora’s worried face, and forced a smile.
“When did you get here? And why bring him?” she said, eyes on Austin. “I haven’t forgotten how he drugged me.”
Austin shrugged. “Ms
. Addison, I can’t leave my wife alone with you. Who knows what curses she might pick up?”
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