He Knows the Door to My Soul and Who Forgot to Novel 52

The chapter opens with Natalia finding Damon peacefully asleep by the fireplace late at night. She quietly joins him, observing his relaxed state and reflecting on the striking resemblance he bears to his brother, Andrei. This comparison stirs complex emotions within her, as she grapples with her lingering feelings for Andrei despite Damon’s clear affection and desire for her.

Natalia confronts Damon about the unexpected tenderness he showed earlier by kissing her cheek in front of the twins, an act that is unusual for him. Damon initially claims it was to appease Max, the child who can sense Andrei’s presence, but Natalia senses there is more to it. She notices his increasing affection and possessiveness, interpreting it as jealousy and a desire to assert his place in her heart.

The conversation deepens as Natalia challenges Damon about their relationship and the need to be genuine, especially given the complicated dynamics involving Andrei and his pack. Damon, with intensity and vulnerability, suggests that they should make their relationship real, hinting at a shift from pretense to commitment.

In a poignant moment, Damon kneels before Natalia, taking her hands and reminding her they have been married for four years. He expresses his desire to truly claim her, marking a significant emotional turning point in their relationship. The chapter ends with this intimate and powerful declaration, leaving Natalia breathless and the future of their bond poised for change.

I smiled and leaned into Damon. “All better,” I said, even as my heart pounded.

Later that night, after the twins were asleep and the house was quiet, I found Damon sitting in the parlor in front of the crackling fireplace.

Music was playing softly on the record player, and he had his head tilted back against the backrest of the armchair he was lounging in, long legs stretched out toward the warmth of the fire.

I hesitated in the doorway, dragging my lower lip through my teeth as I watched him. He was asleep. Maybe that was for the best.

“I’m awake,” he said without opening his eyes, as if reading my mind. “Come and sit.”

I shook my head faintly, somewhat amused, and crossed the room, sinking into the plush chair beside him. We sat in silence for a moment longer, and I took the opportunity to study his side profile as he continued to rest his eyes.

Sometimes, Damon really did look like the spitting image of his brother. The same dark hair, the same strong jawline, and if his eyes were open–the same piercing green color.

It was strange–the way one brother so clearly wanted me and I couldn’t even bear the thought of a romantic relationship with him, while I hated the other brother and yet I couldn’t seem to stop thinking about him no matter how much I tried.

Maybe there was something wrong with me, if a little piece of my heart still couldn’t let go of Andrei after all these years while there was another man right in front of me, a man who wanted me, and I wanted to be sick just thinking about being with him in

that way.

“Damon,” I finally said after a moment, sitting up a little straighter, “what was that earlier?”

He didn’t open his eyes. “What was what?”

My cheeks heated, and I suddenly felt like a fool for asking, but it was too late now. “The way you kissed my cheek in front of the

twins. You’ve never done that before.”

Damon was silent for a long moment. When he finally looked at me, there was something unreadable in his eyes.

“I had to do something to appease Max, didn’t I?” he asked. “That kid can read everyone like an open book. It’s too risky for him to sense Andrei.”

But I shook my head, recalling all too well the look of tenderness in Damon’s eyes as he held my face in his hands, the way his hand slipped down over the small of my back, the way he’d held me just a little too tight.

I recalled, too, all of the moments we’d shared as of late. I knew he always wanted more than our relationship was, but lately

he’d become more affectionate. More territorial.

As if he were jealous of Andrei and trying to assert himself. Show that he was the one who held my heart, even if it wasn’t like that. Like he was scrabbling to hold onto me.

“It wasn’t just to appease the children,” I pointed out. “You know it. I know it.”

Damon stiffened slightly, and the brief look of shame that passed over his face wasn’t lost on me.

“Is it because of Andrei?” I asked, trying not to sound accusatory but also keeping my voice firm. “He can’t see us here, Damon. Not in our own home. We don’t need to play the role of a lovey–dovey couple here.”

He hesitated again, and in the light of the fire, I could see his throat bob.

Finally, he turned to me. I was stricken by the intensity in his eyes.

“I think, given the recent alliance with Andrei’s pack, that we should make our relationship a real one.”

My breath caught. Before I could respond, Damon moved out of his chair, crossing over to me. He dropped to one knee in front of my chair and took both of my hands in his. Warm. Familiar.

“We’ve been married for four years, Natalia,” he whispered. “Don’t you think it’s about time I finally mark you?”

The quiet moments by the fire revealed the complex emotions that tethered Natalia and Damon together—an intricate dance of longing, hesitation, and unspoken truths. Despite the shadows cast by the past and the lingering presence of Andrei, their connection deepened, marked by gestures that spoke louder than words. Damon’s vulnerability and determination to claim what has always been theirs underscored the fragile yet unbreakable bond they shared, a bond that was both comforting and charged with untold possibilities.

As the night wrapped them in its stillness, the chapter closed on a tender yet powerful note, capturing the essence of love’s quiet persistence amidst uncertainty. Natalia’s heart, caught between memories and present realities, stood on the cusp of a new chapter—one where acceptance and commitment might finally align. In the warmth of the firelight, their story whispered of hope, of healing, and of the courage it takes to embrace the truth of one’s own soul.

The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the complex emotions swirling between Natalia and Damon, as the lines between obligation, desire, and past wounds blur even further. Damon’s unexpected proposal to “mark” Natalia hints at a shift in their relationship—one that could bring them closer but also stir unresolved tensions, especially considering the shadow cast by Andrei and the fragile alliance with his pack. Natalia’s inner turmoil and her struggle to reconcile her feelings will likely take center stage, creating a charged atmosphere ripe for emotional confrontation and revelation.

As the story unfolds, readers can anticipate moments of vulnerability and raw honesty, where hidden truths and unspoken fears might surface. The delicate balance of power, love, and loyalty within this intertwined family will be tested, and the choices Natalia makes could have lasting consequences not only for her but for those around her. The next chapter will invite readers to explore the depths of connection and the price of acceptance in a world where hearts and alliances are anything but simple.

Sara Lili

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.