Chapter 147: The First Breath of Freedom
"It’s okay. It’s okay, I’ve got you," Damon said as Charlotte shifted back into her human form. Her clothes had been torn apart, but Mona managed to find two coats for them.
The coats were wet, but it was still better than being naked.
Since it was her first transformation, her body felt weak as soon as she returned to human form. Damon immediately caught her and pulled her into his arms. "You’re alright," he whispered.
"Damon... Damon... I—no, we... we killed Julian." Charlotte’s voice trembled. She rested her head against his chest, her eyes filling with tears, not of sadness, but of overwhelming relief, because she had finally broken free from the chains that had bound her for so many years.
"I’m finally free..." she whispered.
Damon held her tighter, one hand cradling the back of her head as if he never wanted to let go. The chaos still raged around them, the ship creaked and groaned, but for a moment, none of it mattered.
"You are," he whispered softly. "You’re free now, Charlotte."
Her shoulders trembled as she cried quietly against him. Years of pain, fear, and helplessness poured out of her at last, but this time, the tears didn’t hurt.
They felt light.
Mona watched them in silence, her own eyes glistening. She didn’t say anything. She didn’t need to. She simply pulled the wet coat closer around herself and let Charlotte have this moment.
Damon brushed a strand of damp hair away from Charlotte’s face and kissed the top of her head.
"No one will ever hurt you again," he said gently. "Not while I’m here."