Bella's heart stops for a moment. She freezes, her hand gripping the spoon tightly as her mind races to process Damon's question. Edward. The name that haunts her dreams and shadows her every waking moment.

She turns to face Damon, her expression guarded. "Why do you want to know about Edward?" she asks, trying to keep her voice steady despite the tremor in her chest.

Damon meets her gaze, his eyes searching hers with an intensity that sends shivers down her spine. "Your dad mentioned him," he explains, his voice soft. "Said something about you leaving someone behind in Forks."

Bella swallows hard, her throat suddenly dry. She hadn't expected Charlie to bring up Edward, especially not to Damon of all people. But now that the truth is out, she knows she can't avoid the conversation any longer.

"He's…someone I used to know," she replies, choosing her words carefully. "Someone I cared about deeply."

Damon's eyes narrow slightly, as if sensing the weight of her words. "Was he your boyfriend?" he asks, his voice surprisingly gentle.

Bella hesitates, memories of Edward flooding her mind like a tidal wave. The love, the pain, the heartache—all of it still raw, still vivid despite the passing of time.

"Yes," she finally admits, her voice barely above a whisper. "He was."

Damon studies her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, to Bella's surprise, he reaches out and gently squeezes her hand.

"I'm sorry, Bella," he says sincerely. "I didn't mean to pry."

Bella offers him a small smile, grateful for his understanding. "It's okay," she replies, her voice barely audible over the sound of boiling water. "It's just…complicated."

Damon nods in understanding, releasing her hand and returning his attention to the sauce simmering on the stove. The silence between them stretches, but this time, it feels different—tinged with an unspoken understanding, a shared sense of vulnerability.

As they continue to cook together, Bella can't help but feel a newfound sense of trust blossoming between them. Despite the darkness that lurks outside, in this moment, she knows she's not alone. And for that, she's grateful.

Bella can't help but chuckle through her tears, the sound muffled against Damon's chest. It's a small, fragile laugh, but it feels like a release—a moment of levity in the midst of her overwhelming emotions.

"Good to know," she murmurs, her voice hoarse from crying. "But seriously, thank you, Damon. For…for everything."

Damon squeezes her gently, his touch surprisingly comforting. "Anytime, Bella," he replies softly. "I mean it."

They stay like that for a while, wrapped in each other's arms, finding solace in the quiet intimacy of the moment. For Bella, it's a rare feeling—to let down her walls, to allow herself to be vulnerable in front of someone else. But with Damon, it feels right somehow—safe, even.

Eventually, they pull away from each other, the weight of their shared moment still lingering in the air between them. Bella wipes away her tears with the back of her hand, trying to regain her composure.

"I should probably check on the chicken," Damon says, breaking the silence. His voice is gentle, but there's a hint of hesitance in his words.

Bella nods, understanding the unspoken need for space. "Yeah, I'll finish up the noodles," she replies, forcing a small smile.

As they return to their respective tasks in the kitchen, the tension from earlier begins to dissipate, replaced by a sense of calm. It's a fragile peace, but for now, it's enough.

And as Bella watches Damon move gracefully around the kitchen, effortlessly tending to the meal they're preparing together, she can't help but feel a glimmer of hope stirring inside her.

Maybe, just maybe, things will be okay.