Chapter 6

Chapter 6

She entered the office with the tablet in her hands, ready to dictate the day’s schedule. The words came out automatically until, suddenly, she stopped mid-sentence.

He… he looked different. Younger, perhaps. Not just physically, but the energy radiating from him felt stronger, more alive, almost impossible to ignore.

“Sir…?” she murmured.

Mark leaned forward, looking at her with a smile on his lips. Just his gaze was enough to stir her body and mind.

“Is there a problem, Miss Lancaster?”

“No, sir.”

She cleared her throat, trying to push away the heat that insisted on rising through her body, and resumed the agenda. Without realizing it, she watched him—the line of his jaw, the way he moved with confidence—and every time his eyes met hers, she quickly looked away, as if she’d been caught doing something wrong.

His phone rang. Mark raised his hand in a silent gesture, asking her to stop.

“You can speak, Julian.” He paused briefly, listening carefully. “He really is my son? Excellent. Take care of the paperwork.”

Elena felt her heart leap, though she couldn’t explain why.

“Everything’s ready already?” he continued. “Bring it for me to sign. Take him to my house… we have a lot to talk about.”

He hung up without adding anything else. For a moment, his eyes lingered on her again, longer than what would be professional. Then, with a simple motion of his hand, he indicated that she should continue.

“You may go on, Miss Lancaster.”

She nodded, swallowing hard, and resumed reading the agenda.

At the end of the day, she went to the market to buy something simple for dinner. She breathed a sigh of relief when her card went through.

“Thank God…” she murmured, more to herself than to the cashier.

She returned home tired, carrying the bags. As soon as she opened the door and stepped inside, she froze, petrified.

The scene before her seemed unreal.

Her fiancé was sprawled on the couch, the video game controller tossed aside, while an unfamiliar woman was on top of him, moving up and down on his cock. They were laughing, the TV was on with a paused game, clothes scattered across the floor.

Elena’s world stopped.

The bags slipped from her fingers and fell to the floor. The noise made both of them turn at the same time. He went pale; the woman widened her eyes, trying to cover herself in a rush.

“Elena… I can explain…” he began nervously.

She watched him stand up, his cock slick and uncovered. She didn’t scream. She didn’t cry. She simply felt something inside her break completely after that sight.

“You don’t have to,” she said, her voice strangely calm. “I’ve seen enough.”

She turned, walked out, and slammed the door shut. In the building hallway, she leaned against the wall, her chest burning and her heart racing. The disappointment was immense, but the relief… that was even greater.

She went back to her car and stayed there for long minutes, her whole body trembling. She took several deep breaths until her heartbeat slowed enough for her to start the engine and drive away. She didn’t know where she was going, and at that moment, it simply didn’t matter.

Meanwhile, in the apartment, Rubens stared at the woman, his jaw clenched.

“I couldn’t wait anymore… if I’d realized earlier, I would’ve kicked you out already. Shit!” he snarled, running a hand through his hair.

“Oh, let her go. Now we can be together, no more hiding,” she replied, crossing her arms.

He laughed humorlessly.

“And are you going to work to support me like she did?”

“No. You work. Or both of us do.”

Rubens glared at her, irritated, and looked away.

“See why I can’t lose her?” he muttered. “I’ll make something up to get Elena back.”

“You disgusting gold digger,” the woman snapped with contempt.

“Oh, get out of here!” he shouted, pointing to the door.

She let out a short, venomous laugh.

“No need to ask twice, small dick.”

“What?!” he asked, outraged.

But she had already slammed the door shut, leaving the apartment.

Rubens remained standing there, naked, staring at the closed door as if he still expected her to come back. At the window, the black cat watching the scene looked away and disappeared into the night.

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Elena parked the old car on the street in front of the company and turned off the engine. She rolled down the windows; the heat seemed to mirror the emotions inside her. She was far too nervous. She grabbed a random magazine from the seat and started fanning herself.

That was when she got startled.

A black cat jumped into the car through the open window and settled on the passenger seat, staring at her with eyes far too attentive for a simple animal. Elena placed a hand on her chest, trying to catch her breath.

“My God…” she murmured.

The cat stood up, placed a warm paw on her leg, and in an unexpected gesture, stretched its body. Its rough tongue brushed Elena’s cheek in a slow caress. Then it let out a low meow and began to purr, as if it recognized her.

A shiver ran down her spine. For a moment, she felt strangely comforted. When she blinked, trying to understand what was happening, the cat had already retreated, jumping out of the car as easily as it had entered.

Elena remained there, motionless, with her hand on the spot where the paw had touched her. She had the clear sensation that it hadn’t been a coincidence.

She started the car almost without thinking and followed the cat, which ran down the street as if fleeing.

Then the cat passed through the gate of a mansion.

Elena slammed on the brakes in front of the immense, old structure, wrapped in shadows. Tall iron gates surrounded the property, and the cat slipped through them effortlessly, disappearing among the gardens.

She turned off the car and got out.

The moment she approached, the gates opened slowly, without a single creak, as if inviting her in. Elena turned back, expecting to see a car, a guard, any logical explanation. But the street was empty.

She swallowed hard.

Driven by curiosity, she crossed through the gates. As soon as she did, they closed behind her. Her stomach twisted.

There was a light on at the back of the house. To reach it, she had to go around the mansion. The path was lined with ancient trees and stone sculptures worn down by time.

She spotted the cat again in the backyard. It stopped, looked back as if making sure she was following, and ran off once more. Elena quickened her pace.

Then she saw it.

The illuminated pool reflected a bluish light against the pale walls. The water rippled softly, and a man emerged from it at that moment, running a hand through his wet hair.

Elena stopped, breathless.

Water streamed down his strong body, outlining his muscles. He turned slowly, as if he knew he was no longer alone.

Even from a distance, she recognized him.

“Mr… Darkmoor…?” the name escaped her in an incredulous whisper.

His eyes met hers. Black. Deep. The same ones that watched her every day at the office.

“I’m sorry,” he said calmly. “You’re mistaking me for my father.”

“Father?” Elena frowned and, in a flash, remembered the lawyer’s call, the words spoken over the phone. “Oh… I… I’m sorry,” she murmured, turning away quickly when she realized he was naked.

She took two steps away, but curiosity got the better of her. She glanced back over her shoulder.

The man before her was young. Black hair fell carelessly over his eyes. His face… was almost identical to Mark Darkmoor’s when he was younger. The same firm jaw. The same disturbing presence.

“It’s fine,” he said, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around his waist naturally. “You can turn around… although it won’t help much. You’ve already seen everything.”

“I really am sorry,” she repeated, embarrassed.

He took a few steps closer. She caught his scent.

“Don’t be,” he replied with a half-smile. “I think, somehow… you were meant to be here.”

The black cat then appeared beside him, sitting at the edge of the pool and staring at Elena with attentive eyes.

Her heart raced.

“Where… where am I?” she finally asked.

“At my house,” he answered simply. “Come in, make yourself at home.”