Shadows of Suspicion

Victor’s question hung in the air like a loaded gun.

“Damien,” Victor repeated in that dangerously calm voice. “Did you touch my wife while I was gone?”

My heart slammed against my ribs so hard I thought I might faint. I stood frozen between the two men. The mark on my neck suddenly felt like a bright red sign screaming what I had done. I had let Damien fuck me in Victor’s bed. I had begged for it. And now the truth was about to destroy everything.

I could not breathe.

Damien leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. He looked completely relaxed, but I saw the tension in his jaw. “I helped her feel welcome in the house, Father. That is all. She seemed lonely while you were away.”

Victor’s eyes moved from Damien to me. They were cold and calculating. He stepped closer and grabbed my chin gently but firmly. “Is that true, Ava? Did my son simply help you feel welcome?”

I swallowed hard. My mouth felt completely dry. “Yes,” I whispered. “It is true. I bumped into the edge of the table in the library while I was reading. It was nothing. I am clumsy sometimes.”

Victor studied my face for a long moment. His thumb brushed over the mark on my neck. I wanted to disappear into the floor. The shame burned through me. This man had paid off my family’s debts and saved us from ruin. And in return, I had betrayed him with his own son.

“You are trembling, Ava,” Victor said softly. “Are you afraid of something?”

I forced myself to look at him. “No. I am just tired. Welcome home. I missed you.”

The lie tasted bitter on my tongue. I did not miss him at all. Every second he touched me now made me think about Damien’s hands on my body instead. I hated myself for it.

Victor pulled me against his chest and kissed the top of my head. But his eyes stayed locked on Damien the entire time. “Good. Because I expect complete loyalty from my wife. You understand that, do you not?”

“Yes, Victor,” I said quietly against his suit. “I understand.”

Damien’s voice cut through the room. “She is not a child, Father. She can take care of herself. No need to treat her like property.”

Victor laughed, but there was no warmth in it. “She is my wife, Damien. I bought her fairly. I saved her family. She belongs to me now. You would do well to remember that.”

I pulled back slightly from Victor’s embrace. “Please. Both of you. There is no problem here. Damien was just being polite while you were away. Nothing more.”

Victor nodded slowly, but I could tell he did not fully believe me. He kept one arm around my waist possessively. “Come sit with me, Ava. Tell me what you did while I was gone.”

We moved to the living room couch. Victor sat down and pulled me onto his lap. I felt Damien’s eyes burning into us from across the room. My stomach twisted with guilt and fear.

“I did not do much,” I said softly. “I read in the library. I used the gym a little. Mostly I stayed inside.”

Victor’s hand rested on my thigh. “That is good. I do not want you going out alone. The city can be dangerous for a young woman like you. You are safe here with me.”

I nodded and kept my eyes down. Inside, my thoughts were screaming. Safe? I had never felt less safe in my life. I had crossed a line with Damien that I could never undo. And now Victor was looking at me like he knew something was wrong.

Damien walked over and sat in the chair opposite us. “She seems uncomfortable, Father. Maybe you should let her breathe.”

Victor’s grip on my thigh tightened. “Do not tell me how to treat my wife, boy. You have been gone for years. You do not get to come back and question me.”

The tension between them grew thicker. I could feel the old hatred bubbling under the surface. Damien hated his father for many reasons. I was starting to understand why.

“I am fine,” I said quickly, trying to keep the peace. “Really. Victor, you must be tired from your trip. Would you like me to prepare something for you?”

Victor smiled, but it did not reach his eyes. “Such a good wife already. Yes, that would be nice. But first, I want to spend some time with you. Alone.”

He looked directly at Damien. “You have business to handle, do you not? There are some documents in my study that need your attention. Take care of them tonight.”

Damien’s jaw clenched. “I can do it tomorrow.”

“No,” Victor said firmly. “You will do it tonight. Now.”

Damien stood up slowly. His eyes met mine for a brief second. There was a warning in them. Be careful. Then he turned and walked toward the study without another word.

The moment he was gone, Victor turned me on his lap so I faced him completely. “Now, Ava. Tell me the truth. How did you really get that mark on your neck?”

I felt panic rise in my chest. “I told you. I bumped into the table. It was an accident.”

Victor’s fingers traced the mark slowly. “You are a beautiful young woman. I paid a lot of money to have you. I expect honesty. If my son touched what belongs to me, I need to know.”

Tears burned in my eyes. “He did not touch me like that. Please believe me. I know what I agreed to when I married you. I am grateful for what you did for my family.”

Victor studied me carefully. “Good. Because I want an heir soon, Ava. That is part of our agreement. I am not getting any younger. Tonight, I will remind you who your husband is.”

My stomach dropped. I did not want him to touch me. Not after what I had done with Damien. But I had no choice. I had signed the papers. I had taken the money.

“Yes, Victor,” I whispered. “Whatever you want.”

He smiled and kissed my neck, right over the mark Damien had left. “Go to the master bedroom and wait for me. Take a shower and wear something nice. I will be there soon.”

I stood up on shaky legs. “Okay.”

As I walked down the hallway toward the bedroom, my mind raced. I had betrayed this man in his own house. And now he wanted to claim me again. The guilt was eating me alive. But even worse, a small part of me kept thinking about Damien. About how he made me feel alive.

I entered the master bedroom and closed the door. My hands shook as I took off my dress. The marks from Damien were still visible on my body. I stepped into the shower and let the hot water run over me. I scrubbed my skin hard, trying to wash away the evidence and the memories.

But I could not wash away the truth.

I had wanted Damien. I still wanted him.

After the shower, I put on a light silk nightgown and sat on the edge of the bed. The same bed where Damien and I had spent the night together. The shame felt crushing.

A soft knock sounded on the door. My heart stopped.

“Ava,” Victor called from the other side. “Are you ready for me?”

Before I could answer, my phone vibrated on the nightstand. I glanced at it quickly.

It was a message from Damien.

“He is watching the security cameras. Be careful. I will find a way to get you alone tomorrow.”

My blood ran cold.

Victor opened the door and stepped inside. He smiled at me. “There is my beautiful wife.”

I forced a small smile while hiding my phone. “Here I am.”

Victor closed the door behind him and locked it. His eyes moved over my body slowly.

“Now,” he said as he walked toward me. “Let us continue what we started on our wedding night.”