Flash Marriage: In His Eyes-Chapter 259: Living in Hell

–Damon–

I woke up violently, my heart slamming against my ribs.

A bad dream.

Someone took my son. I could still hear his cries ringing in my ears—raw, panicked, tearing through my skull. I sat up abruptly, breath uneven.

The room was silent.

Too silent.

Right. My son isn’t home. He’s with his aunt and his mother right now.

I stood, dragging myself out of bed, my body heavy and stiff. I walked down the hall to Alyssa’s room and quietly opened the door.

My mother was there.

She was asleep on the bed, hugging Alyssa’s pillow like it was her lifeline.

My chest tightened.

If only she knew.

I can’t tell Alyssa about this plan either. This has to look real—so real that Tyrona won’t suspect a thing.

Dad stood nearby, awake, eyes sunken with exhaustion. He glanced at his wife, then at me. I closed the door gently.

"Are you sure about this, Damon?" Dad asked quietly.

I nodded without hesitation.

"Prepare everything. Go along with Tyrona’s plan," I said, crossing my arms. "Act like Alyssa is just having a sleepover with friends. And don’t worry too much—Lore is with her. He won’t let anything happen to her."

"Yes... yes," he nodded. "We trust Lore."

I headed to my office and picked up the tablet Livana gave me. It rang almost immediately.

I answered and smiled despite myself.

"Hey, love," I said, leaning back in the chair. "You haven’t slept."

"Mm," she nodded. She was already lying down. "Mom just arrived," she murmured. "She’s working on something."

"How’s the lair in California?" I asked.

She yawned—soft, unguarded. Damn it, she looked adorable even exhausted.

"It’s fixed now. I’m going to sleep. Sky is with Laura."

"Mmm."

"And Sophia and Kai will arrive shortly too."

"Alright, my love. Sleep well. Rest. I’ll see you soon."

"Okay..."

"I love you."

"I love you."

The call ended.

I stretched, locked the tablet inside the drawer, and headed downstairs.

Sophia walked in casually and stopped when she saw me.

"Oh. It’s you," she sighed. "I’m sorry about what happened. We’ll help fix this."

She hugged me.

Weird.

That was when Tyrona entered, heels clicking sharply against the floor.

I hugged Sophia back.

Tyrona lunged, furious, clearly about to grab Sophia’s hair—but I caught her wrist mid-air.

Sophia turned around slowly, smirking.

"Oh, Tyrona. It’s you."

I shoved Tyrona back. She stumbled, then glared daggers at Sophia.

"You little slut!"

"Wow," Sophia scoffed. "Says the original slut."

Tyrona raised her manicured claws, ready to strike—but Kai caught her wrist instantly.

"What are you doing here?" Sophia asked, brows raised.

"I’m visiting my fiancé and his family," Tyrona sneered. "Just to make sure they don’t run off."

She stepped closer and reached for my face.

I tilted my head away.

I despise her. I hate her.

"Get your filthy hands away from me."

She slapped me hard.

I expected it.

Sophia gasped—and then, to my surprise, shoved Tyrona back and slapped her in return.

"Oh—sorry," Sophia said sweetly. "My hand slipped. Besides, I’m protecting my best friend’s husband."

"You little bitch!"

"Enough!"

My mother’s voice cut through the room like a blade.

She descended the stairs slowly, eyes murderous.

"Tyrona," Mom said calmly as she approached. "Even if my daughter-in-law is dead, even if you marry into this family—what awaits you is hell."

Tyrona laughed.

"Oh, Amiliee. I was thinking the same. I’ll make sure your son’s life is hell too."

Mom didn’t flinch.

"His life is already hell after you orchestrated Livana’s death!" she snapped. "What more can you possibly do?"

Sophia burst out laughing and smacked my arm.

"Wow," she laughed. "Did you hear that, Tyrona? Damon’s already living in hell. You can pile on more—it won’t change anything."

She linked arms with Kai.

"Come on, babe. Let’s make breakfast."

Tyrona exhaled sharply and forced a smile.

"I brought toys for Sky," she said, lifting the bags. "Where is he?"

No one answered.

I turned away.

"Just leave, Tyrona," I said coldly.

She didn’t.

Mom stepped in and finally forced her out—but I followed, grabbed Tyrona by the arm, shoved her through the door, and slammed it shut.

Locked.

Noisy bitch.

Just thinking about how she orchestrated Livana’s "accident"—how Logan almost died too—made my blood burn. I wanted to kill her right there.

But I couldn’t.

Livana warned me. There’s a price on Tyrona’s head. Anyone who kills her gets hunted—along with whoever ordered it. The assassins’ association doesn’t forgive since she’s already part of their protection.

We aren’t part of that organization. We have our own empire.

But they insist.

Fuck them.

"Damon," Mom said softly, reaching for me. "Tell me you won’t marry her."

I took her hands, then her face.

"Mom," I said gently, "we focus on Alyssa first. We saved her. As for me—I’ll be fine. Once Alyssa is safe, I promise you... I’ll be fine."

I kissed her forehead.

She hugged me tightly.

And inside, I counted down the days.

Because Tyrona thought she was dragging me to the altar.

What she didn’t know—

Was that I was already planning her burial.

–Alyssa–

The man beside me was shivering, snuggling closer.

I woke up immediately and realized he was burning up. I sat up and checked his temperature.

High fever.

And—why is he topless?

Damn this man.

I turned off the AC, slipped out of bed, and covered him properly.

"Why are you even topless?" I murmured as I searched for the medicine. Paracetamol—there were ten tablets that the doctor gave along with a few painkillers. Good.

I grabbed a bottle of water from the table—it was cold now—and shook him awake.

He swallowed one pill and mumbled something.

"What?" I sighed. "Damn it, Lore!" I hissed, then rushed to the bathroom.

I knew the basics. I dampened a towel and wiped his face, neck, and body. His skin was too warm under my hands. I finally forced a shirt onto him and placed the cool towel on his forehead.

I stayed beside him, tucking a thick blanket around him.

"Aly," he mumbled.

"Hmm?"

"I need more warmth."

I frowned. "Well, there’s only one blanket," I said. "I already turned off the AC."

He looked up at me with tired, fever-glazed eyes.

"You know what to do." He gave me a sly grin.

I raised my hand to hit him—but he was sick—so instead I shoved him to the other side and hugged him tightly, patting him.

He buried his face into my neck, his breath hot. Too hot. I rubbed his back gently. Sleep was impossible. Every time he started sweating, I wiped his face, his neck, and his chest.

The whole night.

I took care of him until his fever finally subsided. I didn’t sleep at all, terrified that one of us might be dragged out at any moment.

For breakfast and lunch, they gave us food—mostly fast food. I complained that he needed soup. Eventually, they brought instant soup cups. I fed him slowly. He complained about how salty it was, so I added more water until he finally finished it.

Damn it.

This is what I hate. I didn’t expect to take care of a fully grown child.

Still, his appetite stayed strong—until he vomited everything.

Probably the concussion.

They sent a doctor again. He confirmed the concussion and insisted Lore needed proper medical attention.

I glared at the kidnappers in their masks. I recognized the bastard who hit Lore with a baseball bat. My hands shook as I grabbed a chair, ready to smash it into him.

"Aly," Lore called weakly.

I sighed and threw the chair toward them instead.

"This is all your fault! Assholes!" I shouted. "I swear—if my brother finds your location, you are all dead!"

"This good-for-nothing spoiled brat thinks she can threaten us," one of them sneered.

They laughed.

"If my sister-in-law were still alive," I muttered, "she wouldn’t even let you talk back."

"Well, good news, Disney Princess," the man said coldly. "Your sister is already dead."

I locked eyes with him. I knew his voice. His build. He was bigger than me—I could take him down—but they had weapons hidden under their clothes. These men were trained. I had to think.

"Aly," Lore chuckled softly. "Come on, babe. Your temper." He slowly sat up. "I’m sorry, guys. She has a temper. She’s very protective of me."

They scoffed.

The doctor applied more medication and even placed a cold patch on his forehead. He gave me instructions, but Lore was strong. I knew he’d survive this.

Then a woman placed a card on the table.

They all left.

I opened it.

It looked AI-generated.

Damon’s photo—standing beside Tyrona.

I screamed.

"Fucking Tyrona!" I screamed again.

"What?!" Lore exclaimed, clutching his head. "Damn it, Aly! What are you screaming about?"

I shoved the card at him.

He wasn’t surprised.

That’s when I realized—he knew.

I hit his chest.

"Ow!" He cried dramatically.

"You knew this?!"

"Hell no, I didn’t!" he denied.

I took a deep breath and started cleaning the room in silence.

"But they look good in this," he added, trying to cheer me up—or annoy me more.

"Hell, they don’t!" I shouted. "And if Tyrona is doing this to force my brother to marry her, I’ll make her life a living hell."

He grabbed my wrist.

"Come here. You need to calm down, babe."

I stumbled into his side. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my cheeks as his way to say something in secret.

"Don’t worry," he whispered. "This is all part of the plan."

I nodded, clinging to him, my arms around his neck. He patted my head gently.

I didn’t expect to cry.

We were surrounded by armed men, yet we were safe—for now.

I wasn’t alone.

I felt protected.

And more than anything, I was grateful that Lore was with me.