Chosen By The Cursed Alpha King (Emilia) novel Chapter 158

DAMIEN’S POV

I found her in the bedroom.

She was sitting on the bed, knees pulled to her chest, head bowed, shoulders trembling as quiet sobs slipped out of – her like she was trying not to let the world hear her break.

My chest clenched so tight it felt like my ribs were crushing my heart.

Fuck.

I stood in the doorway for a secend, frozen, watching the woman I love fall apart because of me.

Because I hadn’t listened.

Because I’d spoken from fear instead of understanding.

I moved toward her slowly, like i was approaching something fragile that might shatter if I breathed wrong.

“Rose,”† whispered.

She didn’t look up.

Her sobs didn’t stop.

I sat beside her on the bed, the mattress dipping under my weight. I could feel the heat of her body, the pain radiating off her in waves.She immediately turned away from me.

That hurt worse than the shouting earlier.

My heart squeezed painfully in my chest.

“Rose…” I said again, softer this time.

She cried silently, her shoulders shaking, her face turned toward the wall.

God, I hated this.

I hated when she cried.

It ripped me apart in ways I didn’t have words for.

I reached for her hand, my fingers brushing hers.

She tried to pull away.

Panic flared instantly.

I closed my hand around hers, holding it firmly, not letting her go.

“Baby,” I said quietly, my voice rough. “Please.”

She didn’t fight me after that, but she didn’t turn back either.

“‘Im sorry,” I said, the words heavy and real. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

She lifted her free hand and wiped at her tears, still notlooking at me.

My throat burned.

“Rose,” I murmured. “Baby, please look at me.” For a long moment, she didn’t move.

Then slowly, like it cost her everything, she turned her head.

The second I saw her face, my chest caved in.

Her eyes were red and swollen, lashes wet with tears that clung stubbornly to her cheeks. Her lips trembled like she was barely holding herself together.

Seeing her like that-hurting because of me-made something inside me break

I moved closer instantly.

“I’m sorry,” I said again, my voice low, desperate. “Please forgive me.”

She swallowed hard, her voice barely a whisper.

“You never listen to me,” she said. “You don’t care about how I feel.”

The words felt like a punch straight to my gut.

“That’s not true,” I said quickly, tightening my grip on her hand. “Rose, that’s not how it is. My love… it’s just… its just

I trailed off.

Because the truth sat heavy in my chest, tangled with fear and love and the instinct to protect.

I sighed deeply.

She watched me carefully, still hurt, still guarded.

I could still see it in her eyes—the doubt, the pain, the fear that she mattered less than my need to control the world around her.

My shoulders slumped.

“Fine,” I said quietly.

Her eyes widened instantly.

“I deserve a kiss,” I said, my voice low.

She bit her lip, clearly fighting the urge.

“I don’t think you do,” she murmured.

I lifted a hand and cupped the back of her neck, my fingers threading into her hair.

Then I kissed her.

Hard.

– Not rushed. Not gentle.

Just enough to remind her-and myself-how deeply connected we were.

She gasped softly, her body melting into mine, her hands gripping my shirt as she kissed me back.

When we finally pulled away, we were both breathless.

“I hate it when we fight,” I whispered, resting my forehead against hers.

She smiled faintly and kissed me again.

“I hate it too,” she murmured.

And just like that, the tension eased.

The tears stopped.

The room felt warmer again.

Everything on the surface.

At least on the surface.

I held her close, my arms wrapped tightly around her, breathing in her scent, grounding myself in the feel of her.

But deep down, beneath the relief and tenderness, something dark stirred.

Fear.

Because I knew what I’d just agreed to.

And no matter how much I loved her…

I couldn’t shake the feeling that I might just regret this decision.