Haunted by his Touch

ELENA’S POV

I couldn’t sleep at all. It felt like I couldn’t even catch my breath. Every time I shut my eyes, there he was.

Drego.

I could still feel the way his mouth moved against mine, the intensity of his grip, and the way he looked at me as if I were something forbidden that he just couldn’t resist.

And the worst part? I liked it. No, scratch that. I loved it.

My body still throbbed from his touch. My lips felt puffy from his kisses. Deep down, I craved it again.

But I hated myself for it. What had I done?

The sheets still held his scent, even though I had already changed them out, but it was like his memory had seeped into the very fabric of the room.

I sat on the edge of the bed, my legs tucked beneath me, feeling heavy.

“What’s wrong with me?” It was a mistake, a huge one. An abomination in fact. If ears get to hear that I had sex with my husband's brother, not just a brother but a twin; same blood, same mother, same placenta…

And yet… The way he filled me up, the way he whispered my name like it was a precious secret just for him. The way he made me scream without even trying? No man had ever.

Honestly, it was the best sex I’d ever experienced in my life. God, I felt so good. And now? I feel so pathetic.

Why would he record me without my consent? What was his aim, what does he stand to gain? Such a creepy bastard.

Thank goodness I shattered the camera. No matter how I crave him, I won’t let him touch me again.

I assured myself even though deep down I have a feeling I might still fumble. He’s just too irresistible.

***

I heard the front door creak open downstairs.

My heart dropped, David was back. He said he will be gone for three days and this is just the second day. What changed? I mumbled to myself.

I sprinted to my mirror, wiped my face, and checked myself like a thief surveying a crime scene. No bruises, no scratches, just a hollow look in my eyes. Suspicions lying low.

I headed downstairs, trying to breathe normally and put on a smile.

David was by the counter in a sharp black suit, setting down his bag. He looked good—tired, but sharp, with those unreadable eyes of his as always.

But when he noticed me, he paused.

“Elena?”

I froze. “Hey… you’re back early.”

He stepped closer, scrutinizing me. “You don’t want me home?”

“No no! That’s not what I meant. I… I’m delighted… to see you” I stuttered.

He looked at me, “You okay?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“You look off, or should I say act differently.”

My heart raced louder than my footsteps. Obviously, I wasn’t good at pretending because my eyes and face give me off every damn time, even without explaining.

“Maybe I didn’t sleep well.” I lied.

He tilted his head, studying me. Then, out of nowhere, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me. Not in a passionate way—just tender, gentle… like he genuinely missed me.

But that only made the guilt crash over me. I stood stiff in his embrace, unsure of what to do with my hands. His scent, his warmth: it all felt wrong now.

Not because he wasn’t enough. But because somehow I felt I wasn’t the same girl anymore. Not the same girl he left home forty-eight hours ago.

I’d crossed a line with his brother. In his house. And no matter how hard I tried to act normal, a part of me screamed that he could sense the betrayal on my skin.

David pulled away slowly, he didn’t say a word. But his eyes told me he sensed something was off.

I managed a smile. “Want me to make you some tea?”

“No,” he said. “I’m good. I just need a hot shower.”

I watched him walk away—tall, clean, in control, like the alpha male that he is. And I hated how my body didn’t respond to him the way it had to Drego.

What was wrong with me?

———

That afternoon, I needed to get out.

I needed fresh air. I wanted to feel like I could still have a life outside this penthouse. I’ve to breathe, and get the thoughts of Drego Knight out of my head. I just needed to be sane.

David's second driver, Chris, was appointed as my personal driver. He picked me up in one of David’s fleet of cars. A 2022 white G-wagon that reflected the sunlight as we drove past town. The air conditioner was as cold as ice so I thought I would freeze. I had to tell Chris to turn it off.

I stopped by a bookstore café downtown—a place I knew well. I wanted to get some coffee and glance through some exciting novels that the bookstore had decorated its shelves with.

That’s when I heard a quite familiar voice.

“Elena?!” I turned around.

Cindy.

My old high school best friend. The one who always had lip gloss on and trouble in her smile. We hadn’t been in touch in years, especially after her father hurriedly withdrew her because they were moving out.

But she looked just the same; confident, glowing, like the world revolved around her perfectly polished red nails.

“Cindy? Oh my god! It’s been ages”

We hugged like no time had passed, the kind of hug that pulls the past right back into your chest.

“I can’t believe this!” she squealed. “What are you doing in this city?”

I laughed nervously. “Long story babes. I got married recently.”

Her eyes widened. “To whom?”

“His name’s David Knight.”

She blinked. “Wait… Knight? That sounds familiar.”

“Yeah, it's no surprise that you might know him, he's quite popular, especially in the world of business.

“Oh!” She gasped. “I really do not know him, but the name Knight rings a bell”

Before I could ask, she leaned in with a smirk. “Well, I’m also dating a knight too.”

“What?”

“I’m seeing someone.”

“That’s great. Who’s that?”

“Not like you’ll know him anyway, but his name is Drego. Drego Knight…”

My heart froze in utmost confusion. Did she just say Drego or was my ear playing tricks on me? Was it the creepy hot Drego or was she referring to someone else?