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Chapter 14 - When Things Break

The tension in the silent hotel room was palpable. Ana stood close to the window, gazing into the darkness outside with her arms folded securely across her breast. At last, the twins had fallen asleep on the little bed, their breathing calm and gentle, oblivious to the mayhem going on all around them.

Dorian's face was hidden by the weak light from the lone lamp as he leaned against the wall across from him. Ana could feel the weight of his stare on her despite his stiff posture and inscrutable countenance.

When she finally exclaimed, "This has to stop," her voice was quiet but tinged with rage.

Dorian cautiously approached her and pushed off the wall. "Ana, I'm doing everything in my power to stop it."

"No," she yelled, turning to look at him. "Dorian, you brought this into our life. We're running because of you, and the twins are scared because of you.

His jaw tensed, but he remained silent.

She went on, her voice shaking, "I built a life here." "A peaceful, secure life where they could develop fearlessly." And now everything is collapsing because of you.

With a harsh voice, he questioned, "You think I wanted this?" Do you believe I intended to include you and the children in my mess? Ana, I'm attempting to keep you safe. I'm working to resolve this.

With a sour laugh, she said, "Protect us?" "Dorian, you're not even capable of protecting yourself. And now your conflict with individuals I didn't even know existed has us all trapped in the crossfire.

His eyes clouded, the agony and guilt piercing them like a scalpel into her rage. "You're right," he muttered. "I let you down. I let them down. But this time, I'm not going to leave. I won't abandon you to deal with this on your own.

Tears were burning in the corners of Ana's eyes as her throat constricted. "Dorian, why now? After all these years, why are you fighting so hard for us now?

His voice was quiet but firm as he took a step closer. "Because I've been lamenting what I lost every day for those years." I regret you.

The weight of his words struck her like a blow, causing her breath to catch.

With his eyes fixed on hers, he murmured, "You were the best thing that ever happened to me." And I released you. I became blinded by my pride, anguish, and rage. But I will not repeat that error.

Ana shook her head, her feelings uncontrollably raging. "Dorian, you cannot simply say these things and expect me to overlook them. Words cannot change the past. The years I spent parenting our kids by myself, wondering whether you really gave a damn, are not made up for by them.

His voice broke as he said, "I cared." "I couldn't express how much I cared. Ana, I am aware that I am not deserving of your pardon. However, I implore you to give me an opportunity to demonstrate my transformation. Allow me to demonstrate my ability to be the guy you and the twins deserve.

Her determination faltered as the openness in his words penetrated the barriers she had erected around her emotions. "Dorian, how can I trust you? How can I be sure that when things go tough, you won't leave again?

His words were firm: "I won't." "Because the most agonizing pain I have ever experienced was losing you once." I won't make it through it twice.

His confession hung heavy in the air, and the room became quiet.

With her hands clutching the windowsill and struggling to control her breathing, Ana turned back to the window. She said, "I'm not sure if I can pull this off."

With his hand hanging close to hers but not touching, Dorian took a step closer. "You don't need to make a decision right now," he added softly. But, Ana, please. Don't ignore me. Allow me to assist you. For them.

Tears were streaming from her eyes as she closed them. "I'm afraid, Dorian," she said, her voice shaking. "I fear that I will lose everything again if I allow you in."

"You won't," he stated in a firm and confident tone. "I swear to you, Ana. I will not be leaving.

She turned and buried her face in his chest before she could stop herself because something inside her was broken by the honesty of his voice. She wailed into him, and his arms swung around her in an instant, holding her close.

Both of them were silent for a while, and the only sounds in the room were her muffled sobs and the gentle crackling of the lamp's light.

The guy she had fallen in love with, the man who had once been her entire world, was finally in front of her as she pulled back, and her eyes met him for the first time in years.

However, the sound of glass breaking pierced the silence before any of them could speak.

Ana glanced toward the source of the sounds and gasped, her heart bouncing into her throat. There were glass fragments all over the floor from the damaged window beside the kitchen.

Immediately, Dorian murmured in a quiet, frantic voice, "Get the twins."

Without pausing, Ana hurried to the bedroom and gathered the kids in her arms. She tried to sound calm as she muttered, "It's okay, babies." "Mama has you covered."

With a tense body, Dorian approached the damaged window and retrieved the metal rod from the closet. Even though it was quiet outside that night, he sensed that someone or something was keeping an eye on them.

As Ana made her way back to the living room, he urged firmly, "Stay with them."

"Dorian, please don't," she begged, her voice laced with terror.

He murmured, his eyes briefly locking with hers, "I'll be fine." "I will not allow anyone to harm you."

Slipping out the door, he vanished into the darkness.

With her pulse racing, Ana held the twins close to her while listening for any sign of resistance. The quiet was so loud that the minutes seemed to drag on for hours.

Dorian walked back inside when the door eventually opened, his face glum.

His voice was tense as he continued, "They're gone."

"Who?" Ana's voice wavered as she asked.

"I'm not sure," he said. "But they won't stop, no matter who they are."

As the truth of their predicament struck in, the weight of his words descended upon them.

Ana's terror gave way to a steely determination as they locked eyes. She stated forcefully, "Then we fight."

Dorian's jaw was fixed as he nodded. "With each other."

A glimmer of optimism appeared in Ana's breast as their tension subsided. She felt like she wasn't fighting this war alone for the first time in years. Even though she had no idea what lay ahead, she was convinced that they would face it together.

However, as the night wore on, neither of them was able to get rid of the sense that the worst was still to come.

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