Chapter 7 - THE SUNNY MORNING
The solarium was the brightest room in the estate, featuring curved glass walls that looked out over the citrus orchard and the distant desert valley.
When Damon walked in, the smell of fresh butter, maple syrup, and roasted coffee filled the warm air.
Ruby was already seated at the small breakfast table, wearing a yellow sundress, her favorite stuffed rabbit propped up in the chair beside her with a paper napkin tucked under its chin so it could "eat" too.
Selena stood by the counter, flipping a golden pancake onto a ceramic plate. She had changed into a clean linen blouse and dark trousers, her hair tied back in a neat ponytail. Though the faint bruise on her cheek was still visible, her movements were steady, relaxed, and entirely free of fear.
As Damon entered, Ruby looked up and waved frantically with a sticky fork.
“Mr. Damon! We have syrup!”
Damon walked over, pulling out the chair opposite the child, and sat down. “I see that. Did you help make them?”
“I stirred the bowl!” Ruby announced proudly. “And Mommy let me drop the blueberries in!”
Selena carried two plates over to the table, placing one in front of Damon and the other before her daughter. She lingered for a fraction of a second, her hand resting lightly on the back of Damon’s chair.
“Thank you,” Selena said quietly, her dark eyes meeting his. “For last night. For everything.”
“You don't need to thank me, Selena,” Damon replied, picking up his fork. “You belong here. Both of you.”
Ruby stopped chewing her pancake for a second, her big eyes darting between them.
“Does that mean I can be the boss today too?”
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Damon laughed—a deep, resonant sound that made Margaret smile from the doorway where she was carrying a fresh pot of coffee.
“Every day, boss,” Damon said, raising his coffee cup in a silent toast. “Every single day.”
