Chapter 157: Not Alone
Daisy reached for him, her fingers trembling as they brushed against his arm. "Theo..." she whispered, her voice breaking. "Dont let his words gets to you..."
Theo’s body stiffened, his eyes blank as if he were trying to wield the words away. He barely breathed, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "No... that’s not possible..." he muttered, his voice barely audible, cracking under the weight of disbelief.
Daisy’s chest heaved as tears welled in her eyes. She pressed closer, wrapping her arms around him in a desperate attempt to anchor both of them. "Hey... whatever he said, you should know, it was just a way to weaken us..."
Theo finally raised his head, he looked straight at her, "No, so all this time, they were right... if I didn’t switch places with Julian, he wouldn’t die..."
Daisy’s hands trembled as she gripped his shoulders, trying to steady him and maybe herself too. "Theo... no! It’s not your fault! None of this was your choice... you didn’t—"
He shook his head violently, the words catching in his throat. "I should have been there... I should have—" His voice broke entirely, and he buried his face in his hands.
Daisy gently cupped his face, forcing him to meet her gaze. "Listen to me... listen. Julian’s gone, yes, but you survived for a reason. You’re here now, and we can fight this together. Don’t let Owen’s lies tear us apart."
Theo’s chest rose and fell sharply. His eyes glistened with unshed tears, the weight of guilt pressing down like a stone. "But... it’s all my fault..."
"No!" Daisy’s voice was fierce, trembling with emotion. "It’s not! You were just a teenager! And whatever Owen says... he wants to make us feel weak. Don’t let him win... not over us, not over Julian’s memory, not over me."
Theo breathed hard, closing his eyes when Daisy cupped his face.
Tears dripping from her eyes, she locked her gaze with him and said, "Listen... is this your way to protect me? Crying in pain when he poked you at your wound?"
Theo’s composure finally cracked. He wrapped his arms tightly around Daisy, burying his face in her shoulder. "I’m... I’m sorry... I’m so sorry..." he mumbled repeatedly, his voice thick with guilt and anguish.
Daisy held him just as tightly, her own tears falling freely as she whispered against his ear, "Shh... it’s not your fault... none of this is your fault..."
Theo took a shuddering breath, forcing himself to pull back slightly. His hands rested on her shoulders as he looked into her eyes, his voice low but steadying.
"I’m sorry... I just need a moment to recover from what I just heard..." He rubbed his thumb over her cheek, "I couldn’t protect Julian before, but I’ll make sure to protect you even with my life..."
"Stop spouting nonsense! Why would you sacrifice your life?!" Daisy’s tears glistened as she gripped his arms, her voice trembling but fierce. "I don’t need you to die for me... I need you alive. I need you here."
They held each other tightly, clinging as if letting go would make the world collapse around them.
A sudden knock at the door startled them both, sharp and insistent. They froze, pulling slightly apart.
"Sir..." Marla’s voice came from behind the door, hesitant yet urgent.
Quickly, they wiped the tears from their faces. Daisy grabbed Theo’s arm gently. "Let me... you’ll go to the bathroom. Wash your face and think of a solution after this..."
Theo blinked, caught off guard by her sudden command, but he nodded, letting her step aside. "Okay... " he murmured, his voice low, but then a smile formed before he turned and headed to the toilet.
"Yes, Marla..." Daisy opened the door.
Marla, who was stunned by Daisy’s messy face, stuttered, "I—I couldn’t find your phone..."!
"It’s okay, I found it earlier. I’m sorry to trouble you," Daisy said softly, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.
Marla nodded quickly, still glancing at Daisy’s tear-streaked cheeks. "No trouble at all, madam. I just... wanted to make sure you were okay."
Daisy managed a small smile. "Thank you, Marla. I appreciate it."
Marla stepped back, giving a gentle nod. "Tell me if you need anything..."
"Thanks," Daisy replied softly. She then slowly closed the door behind her and stepped back inside, the quiet click of the latch echoing slightly in the room.
Theo stepped out of the bathroom and saw Daisy standing by the glass wall, staring at the darkening sky.
Quietly, he walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin gently on her shoulder. She stiffened for a moment, then relaxed slightly into his embrace, letting him hold her.
Daisy tilted her head back slightly. "What should we do?"
Theo wrapped his arms around her from behind, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I’ll ask my dad for advice..."
Daisy shook her head. "That would take too long, right? Can’t you just send someone to break into the Kennedy mansion and get my dad back? I’m really worried..."
Theo tightened his hold on her, his jaw firm. "I know you’re worried... but rushing in like that could put both of you in danger. We need a plan, not a reckless move."
Daisy leaned back slightly against him, her brows furrowed. "A plan... How long do we have to wait? What if they do something to him before you figure it out? Dad is too weak for all of this shit!"
Theo pressed a kiss to the top of her head, his voice steady but firm. "I won’t let anything happen to him. I’ve already mobilized people to track them. The moment we have a solid location, we move...swiftly and safely. Trust me, Daisy."
She let out a shaky breath, resting her head against his chest. "I do... I just... I hate feeling so helpless."
"I know," Theo murmured, tightening his arms around her. "That’s why you’re not facing this alone."