CHAPTER 6: THE WARNING

The next morning, Ariel woke up to an unsettling silence. There was no knock on her door, no breakfast plans, no sign of life anywhere in the mansion. The stillness was oppressive, like a heavy blanket had been draped over the entire estate. She lay in bed for a moment, listening to the quiet, trying to shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in her stomach. 

As she finally threw off the covers and got out of bed, Ariel walked over to the window and pushed the curtains aside. A grey mist hung over the grounds shrouding everything in a damp fog. The mist seemed to cling to the trees and bushes, making them appear twisted and foreboding. Ariel felt a shiver run down her spine as she gazed out at the mist- shrouded landscape.

Her eyes wandered to the guest house. From her window, she could see the guest house nestled at the far end of the property. It was quiet, but not empty. She could sense that someone was inside, and she knew that someone was Tori. Tori was still here, something about her made Ariel's skin prickle. It wasn't just that she knew Connel. It was the way she looked at him, like she had owned him, like she still did.

Ariel couldn't shake off the feeling that Tori was trouble. She seemed to radiate an aura of possessiveness and entitlement, as if she believed that Connel still belonged to her. Ariel had seen the way Tori's eyes had lingered on Connel, the way she had touched him, the way she had spoken to him. It was all so... familiar.

With a sense of resolve, Ariel turned away from the window and began to get ready for the day. She didn't know what lay ahead, she couldn't help but wonder what the day would bring. 

The silence in the mansion was still oppressive. As she entered the dining room, Ariel was greeted by the familiar sight of Watson, who was busy setting the table. "Good morning, Miss Ariel," Watson said, with a warm smile. "I trust you slept well?"

Ariel smiled back, shaking off the lingering uneasy feeling. "Yes,thank you, Watson. Although I did notice that it's very quiet today."

Watson's expression turned serious. "Yes, Miss Ariel. The mist can be quite oppressive, can't it? But I'm sure Master Connel will be down soon and mist will disappear." Ariel nodded, taking a seat at the table. She hoped that Watson was right and that the mist would soon lift, both literally and figuratively.

Later that afternoon, Ariel wandered the halls in search of something to anchor her thoughts. Instead, she found Tori. The woman was seated in the sunroom, legs crossed, sipping from one of the porcelain tea cups Watson usually reserved for important guests. She didn't look surprised to see Ariel.

"Morning," Tori said, her tone light. " Did you sleep well?"

Ariel didn't answer right away. "You're still here."

Tori smiled. "Guest houses are such a luxury. Don't you think so?"

Ariel didn't answer, attempting to walk away. 

"Ohh!" Don't leave now, come sit with me." Tori said, gesturing to Ariel.

Ariel stepped closer, arms Crossed. "Why are you really here?"

Tori chuckled softly. "I thought you would ask that sooner." She placed her teacup down carefully. "Connel told you nothing about me, did he? Not even a whisper. That's so like him, always choosing what gets revealed and what stays hidden."

Ariel kept her expression neutral but her heartbeat betrayed her. "What are you hiding?"

Tori leaned in just slightly. "Did he ever mention his father?"

Ariel's brows furrowed, not giving a reply.

"I guess that's a no," Tori said. " Of course he won't, because his father is not just a man. He's an empire, the kind that gets blood on its hand to stay clean in the public."

Ariel stared at her. "What does that have to do with you or me?"

Tori chuckled, "I was betrothed to Connel, because of the bond our fathers shared but all of a sudden everything was called off. Don't you get it?"

"No, nothing you're saying seems to make sense." Ariel said, folding her arms.

"It wasn't just an alliance, it was a job. I worked for them once, not as a lover, not as a trophy but an asset. One they couldn't control. Connel included."

Ariel opened her mouth but Tori wasn't finished.

"So if I was a pawn in their game of chess, what game could they be playing with you? Or don't you see it all?" Tori said with a smile playing on her lip.

Ariel's voice dropped. "Why should I believe anything you say?"

Tori smiled thinly. "You shouldn't. You should ask him instead, ask him about Vienna, ask him why he sleeps so little. Why does he always keep the wine locked up and most importantly ask him why he picked you."

Ariel stared continuously at Tori, replaying everything she said. But Tori wasn't finished.

"Power," she whispered, "doesn't come without a price. And Connel's already paid part of it. The other part?" Her eyes gleamed. "That's coming due."

Ariel took a slow step back.

Tori's voice followed her. "You think you're safe in this house, married to him. But you don't even know what side you're on yet."

Ariel left the room, her breath catching in her throat. Tori's words coiled in her chest like smoke.

When Ariel finally saw Connel later that night, he didn't speak. He didn't even look at her and for the first time since entering this mansion, Ariel didn't feel protected, she felt watched.

The night was colder than usual. A chill settled into the walls of the guest house, but Tori was already waiting - curled on the sofa in silk, barefoot, a glass of red wine in hand as if she had summoned Connel herself.

He didn't knock, he stormed in.

She smiled without looking at him. "I was wondering when you'd come."

"You were warned," Connel said, voice low and tight. "Stay away from her."

Tori swirled her wine lazily. "I only told the truth."

"You never just tell the truth," he snapped. "You weaponize it, twist it until it cuts exactly where you want."

She finally looked at him. “Don't act like you didn't deserve it.”

Connel's fists clenched at his sides. "Ariel has nothing to do with this.”

“Oh, but she does,” Tori said softly, rising from the couch. “You're making her part of it. Dragging her into your world. Your family's mess. The things we both know can't stay buried forever.”

Connel stepped forward, face inches from hers. "Say Vienna again and I swear...”

“What, Connel?” she whispered, eyes gleaming. "You'll threaten me? Silence me? like you tried to do to me?"

His breath faltered just for a moment.

Tori tilted her head. "You can lock your files, burn the records, and change your name on every offshore account. But you can't erase what you did. What we did?"

He backed away, suddenly cold. "That was a long time ago."

"But not forgotten," Tori said.

She stepped closer now, her voice turning to ice. "You married that girl like she's your clean slate. But I know better, you don't do anything without a reason. So tell me, Connel, what are you trying to fix? Or are you just hiding behind her because you're scared of becoming him?"

Connel's expression cracked. His voice dropped to a whisper. “Don't bring my father into this."

Tori smirk returned. “Then don't bring a stranger into your life and call it love. Especially not one who thinks you're a hero." 

Connel turned his face unreadable, but his hands were shaking. As he reached the door, Tori's voice floated behind him like a shadow. "You can pretend with her all you want. But we both know, Connel... She's not ready to see the real you."

He left without another word.

And Tori alone again, took another sip of wine, her smile returning. One thread pulled, she thought. So many left to unravel.