The night was supposed to be quiet—made for sleep, for rest, and for peace. But for Davis, tonight felt different.
There was no peace in his heart, only a strange mix of emotions he couldn’t fully understand—restless, painful, conflicted and emotional. This had been this way since he discussed about his mom in the karaoke room with Elliot.
He sat up slightly in bed, his head on the headboard as his eyes traces the shadows on the ceiling.
It felt like he had gone back in time—back to the nights of his later parts of childhood before he was sent abroad when he would stay awake while the rest of the Allen family slept.
He used to sit by the window then, staring at the stars and moons with his heart feeling so heavy at such a young age. The habit of watching the stars and moons was already indoctrinated by his mom.
Tonight, that same feeling returned. He couldn’t erase the memory of his parents, her felt suffocated, his breathe coming in shallow gasps.
He couldn’t erase Bella’s image from his mind—her soft voice, her presence on the karaoke stage. Her singing had stirred deep inside him. It wasn’t just the song, but the way she looked, the emotions she carried, and the gentleness in her voice. It reminded him too much of someone else—His mother.
He remembered how she used to sing to him when he was little. Her voice had been soothing and full of love. After singing, she would always pat his head and whisper, "My son, don’t let your pure heart be poisoned by vipers. Love is the greatest of all."
At the time, he didn’t fully understand what she meant. He would just nod, trusting her words. But now, after everything life had thrown at him, he finally understood. The world was crueler than he had imagined. And the people—many of them were far more dangerous than vipers. They smiled to your face while waiting to strike behind your back.
He sighed deeply and turned his head slowly and his gaze softened, a rare smile dabbing his lips. Lying beside him was Jessica, her figure calm under the covers. Her breathing was steady, her face peaceful. For a moment, just looking at her, his heart felt calmer.
He didn’t know how or when it started, but her presence had become a comfort he hadn’t expected. Even if his thoughts were full of the past and unanswered questions, having her beside him made the pain feel just a little more bearable.
She wasn’t loud or dramatic. She didn’t push him to open up or pretend to understand his pain. She was simply there—quiet, steady, and warm.
Davis closed his eyes, not to sleep, but to hold onto this small peace, this rare warmth—hoping it would last just a bit.
But just when Davis felt the comfort of peace, his fragile illusion shattered. Like a haunting echo from the past, a memory returned—sharp, vivid, and heart-wrenching. It gripped his mind with the force of a nightmare, dragging him back into a time he tried so hard to bury.
The scene unfolded like a replay of a movie clip. In the warm, cozy living room, the air was filled with laughter and light. Young Davis sat quietly on the sofa beside Bella, who was even younger then—her tiny hand clasped in his as he attend to her homework. .
The front door creaked open. Alex Allen stepped into the room, his expression calm, his lips forming an arc as little Bella hugged him back and Davis stood up to welcome him home.
He looked tired but composed, every inch the businessman he was. Monica (his mother) appeared at the top of the stairs, descending with elegance and warmth in her steps. Her smile was radiant and angelic as she rushed to embrace him.
"You’re back?" she asked, wrapping her arms around him tightly. Davis and Bella quickly returned to their seat and continued with their works.
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