DON’T STOP (Lila and Darrell) novel Chapter 152

Red Flag 152

Scarlett

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My mouth dropped open. For a second, I just stared at him, completely frozen. Twenty-one? He was only twenty-one? Th number kept echoing in my head as I slowly pulled my hand away from his, the warmth of his fingers suddenly feeling distant.

Viktor watched me carefully, worry etched across his face. “You promised you wouldn’t overreact,” he reminded me gently his voice soft but steady.

I breathed deeply, trying to calm the swirl of emotions rising in my chest – shock, confusion, and a tiny spark of betrayal closed my eyes for a moment, forcing the air in and out.

“I am…

finding it,” I said finally, my voice quieter than I expected. “But why didn’t you tell me a long time ago?”

He looked down at the hospital sheets, guilt flickering in his eyes. “I was scared you wouldn’t give me a chance,” he admitte “You’re so put-together, so mature… I thought if you knew I was younger, you might see me differently. Like I was just a kid or something. But Scarlett, I have really loved you ever since I met you. And I’m still madly in love with you.”

The sincerity in his voice cracked something inside me. All the weeks of guilt, the fear of losing him, the relief of him waking up it all collided with this new piece of information. He had lied, yes… but the way he was looking at me right now, vulnerable and honest, made it hard to stay angry.

I let out a long breath and leaned forward, wrapping my arms around him in a careful hug. He immediately pulled me closer, his hold tight and reassuring despite the wires and monitors still attached to him.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered against my hair.

I didn’t say anything for a moment. I just held him, letting the steady beat of his heart calm me down. Then I pulled back just enough to look at him. His eyes were searching mine, full of love and a little fear.

Without overthinking it any longer, I cupped his face and brought my lips to his. This time the kiss wasn’t soft or teasing – it was deeper, filled with all the emotions I’d been carrying for weeks. Relief. Forgiveness. Love. He kissed me back just as intensely, one hand sliding to the small of my back while the other cradled my cheek.

When we finally broke apart, both of us a little breathless, I rested my forehead against his.

“We’ll talk about the age thing more later,” I murmured. “But right now… I’m just glad you’re here. Alive. With me.”

He smiled, that shy, crooked smile I’d missed so much, and nodded. “I’m not going anywhere.”

I pulled away from the kiss just enough to look him straight in the eyes. My heart was still racing, but a new question had been burning in the back of my mind for too long.

“Viktor?” I called softly.

“Yes?” He nodded, his gaze warm and attentive.

“Were you the one that cleared my debts?” The words tumbled out. “Why didn’t you tell me? How did you even know?”

For a moment he just looked at me, then he pulled me into another tight hug, wrapping his arms around me like he never wanted to let go.

“It’s over,” he whispered against my hair. “Let’s just move on.”

I sighed, a small chuckle escaping me as I shook my head. He was impossible. But I hugged him back anyway, letting myself melt into his warmth. Some truths could wait. Right now, having him here, alive and holding me, felt like enough.

10:18 Thu, Aug 6 DN

DON’T STOP

***

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A week later, Viktor was finally discharged from the hospital. That same day, he got his new pair of glasses and unbroken this time. I went with him, staying close the entire time, my hand rarely leaving his.

–

the lenses clear

After picking up the glasses, we headed together to his new place, fingers intertwined the whole way. The apartment felt quieter and newer, like a fresh start.

As he stood in the kitchen preparing food, I leaned against the counter, watching him move with that familiar careful precision, even if he still squinted a little without the glasses sometimes.

“Can I ask why you moved out?” I said softly.

He paused, stirring whatever was in the pot, then glanced at me. “Because being near you and not with you broke me. I couldn’t handle it. I was getting crazy, so for the sake of my mental health, I had to leave quietly.”

The honesty in his voice made my chest tighten. I smiled, stepping closer to wrap my arms around him from behind in a gentle hug.

“You’re with me now, okay?”

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