Chapter 24

"Damien, what the hell are you doing?" Theo snapped the moment he saw Damien forcefully kiss Aurelia. He surged forward, his fists clenched, ready to tear him apart. But Owen held him back. Most people didn't understand—but Owen, who had also grown up an orphan, knew exactly what Damien was about to do. This kiss was his goodbye. Damien kissed her like it was the last breath he'd ever take—deep, desperate, and searing with all the love and regret he could never put into words. And when it ended, he finally let her go. He gently pushed Aurelia back and smiled through the tears. "Don't cry for me, Aury. Don't waste a single tear. I'm not worth it." Then, he turned around. Without a second of hesitation, he jumped from the rooftop. This time, he didn't need wings to fly. "Damien!" Aurelia lunged forward, trying to catch him, but her hands closed around nothing but air. She watched, frozen in horror, as Damien fell—still smiling—until his body hit the ground and shattered. Once,