DAMIR
I'd been standing outside his door for what felt like an hour. Maybe more.
The hallway was silent, and the air was heavy like even the mansion itself was holding its breath. My back leaned against the cold wall, and my legs had gone numb from kneeling so long, but I wasn't moving. I couldn't. Not until he opened the door. Not until he looked at me.
I had knocked, whispered, begged like a madman possessed by guilt. No amount of pride was worth this pain. Not when I remembered the way he slapped me with trembling hands, how his eyes were wide with shock, betrayal… devastation.
"Eli, please. Open the door. Just let me see you," I whispered, my forehead pressed against the door. "I didn't mean it, baby. I swear, I was just angry at Regio. Not you. Never you."
Nothing.
Then… thump thump thump.
It startled me.
Small fists. Urgent and frantic. Thump. Thump.
"Eliiiiii!" Sonya's voice rang out through the corridor. My heart cracked open.
She was crying, pounding on the door with the desperation only a child could carry. "Please, open the door! Please! Don't cry anymore!"
I turned my head to see her standing there barefoot, hair messy, tears streaking down her cheeks like twin rivers. Her tiny body trembled with every sob, and her cheeks were blotchy red.
"Uncle Damir hurt you," she cried louder. "But I love you! Please don't be sad! Open the door for me, pwease…"
I tried to pull her back gently, kneeling beside her, but she shook her head violently, resisting me. "No! Let me knock! He loves me, I know he does! He's my friend! Please, Eli!"
Then….click.
The sound made me flinch.
The door creaked open slowly, just a sliver at first, then wider, and my soul twisted as I saw him…my Eli.
His eyes were so puffy, swollen from crying, and his nose was red and runny. His lips were dry, and his lashes clumped together from dried tears. He was holding a pillow against his chest like it was a shield.
But when he saw Sonya, he dropped it instantly and crouched down with shaking arms, hugging her tightly.
Sonya cried harder into his shoulder. "You were crying because of me… I'm sowwy I made you sad…"
"No, no," Eli whispered, his voice hoarse from all the crying. "It wasn't you, princess. You did nothing wrong…"
I reached forward cautiously, still on my knees. "Eli… baby…"
He didn't even glance at me.
I tried again, inching forward like I was approaching a wounded animal. "I've never hated myself more than I do right now. I said things I didn't mean. I made you feel like you weren't safe with me. And I can never forgive myself for that."
Nothing.
Not even a flinch.
He clung to Sonya like she was the only person he trusted in the world.
"I was angry at my brother," I continued, voice breaking. "The way he looked at you…like you were something for the taking. It burned through my veins. I got scared. Jealous. But I should've protected you… not hurt you."
Still nothing.
I placed my palm on the floor, bowing my head like a defeated man. "I would give anything to turn back time. I'd give up every business deal, every mansion, every drop of power… if you'd just smile at me again."
Eli stood up slowly, carrying Sonya in his arms like a protective big brother, and walked back into the room.
But as he turned… his eyes…oh God, his eyes…met mine for just a second.
And in that second, I saw everything.
The pain, the betrayal, the heartbreak.
He didn't slam the door. He didn't say a word. He just walked away.
Leaving me kneeling there like the fool I'd become.
I sat in silence, head bowed, for a long time. The chandelier above barely flickered as the wind passed outside, but I was frozen in place, still listening, still hoping.
Then the guilt hit me harder.
I'd spoken to him like he was a misbehaving child, like his beautiful body and his innocent self-expression were a problem. I'd let my anger take control. I made him feel dirty when he was the purest thing I'd ever known.
"I'm so sorry," I whispered to the door again. "I'm sorry, kotenok…"
I didn't realize Sonya had come back until her little hand touched my shoulder. "Uncle Damir…"
I looked up. Her tears had stopped, but her brows were furrowed, eyes wise beyond her years.
"Don't fight with Eli again," she said softly. "You're supposed to love him."
I choked back emotion and nodded. "I do. More than anything."
"Then fix it," she whispered. "Even if it takes forever."
I pressed a trembling kiss to her forehead.
"I will, Sonya," I swore. "Even if it takes forever."
And with one final glance at the slightly opened door, I stood up, walking away slowly, knowing that sometimes… love means giving the person you hurt a moment to breathe.
Even when it kills you inside.