Chapter 6

Killian

I wasn’t used to being thrown off balance.  Not in business, not in life. But Nova Vale did exactly that. She’d looked me dead in the eyes, her voice sharp with anger, and told me she’d sell her soul for her mother. And I believed her. Hell, I saw it in the way her hands shook when she spoke, in the way her chest rose and fell like she was holding back everything inside her.

She wasn’t lying. She wasn’t playing a role. She was just… raw. And I hated it. Because raw emotions were dangerous. They made people weak. And weakness had no place in my world. Still, I couldn’t shake her words. “She means that much to you?” I had asked like a damn fool. As if the answer wasn’t obvious.

Of course she did. Nova had nothing, no one, just her mother. And yet, she stood here in my house like she belonged, chin up, eyes unflinching. She didn’t bow and didn’t scramble for approval like everyone else around me.

She was different. Too different. I sat in my office the next morning, staring at the file Pascal had put together on her. Basic jobs, nothing impressive. No money, no status. Just an ordinary girl pushed into extraordinary circumstances.

And yet… she unnerved me more than boardroom rivals with billions at stake.

“Mr. Ashford?” Pascal’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. He stood in the doorway, hands behind his back. “We’ve tightened security. Your… wife’s information has been circulated among the staff. No one outside knows.”

“Good.” I leaned back in my chair. “Any leaks?”

“None.”

“Fine” 

“Yes, sir.”

When Pascal left, silence filled the office again. I sat there, staring at the garden through the glass .

This arrangement, this marriage, was supposed to be simple. One year. A shield against gossip, a distraction for my grandmother, and a block against Tanya’s endless games, as Grandmother so puts it, but I didn't see any of what she saw. But it wasn’t simple at the moment.

That afternoon, I found her in the library. She was curled up in one of the leather chairs, barefoot, her hair loose. A book rested in her lap, but she wasn’t reading, just staring off into space like her thoughts had swallowed her whole.

“You’re in my chair,” I said.

Her head snapped up, eyes flashing in irritation. “Excuse me?”

I stepped closer, letting my voice drop into that calm, commanding tone that made most people obey without question. “That’s my chair.”

She didn’t move. Didn’t even blink. “Then sit somewhere else.”

My jaw tightened. “You forget whose house this is.”

“No,” she said, setting the book aside and standing. She was small, but she held her ground like a soldier before battle. “I remember perfectly. This is your house, your world, your rules. But I’m not your property, Killian. You don’t get to order me around like I’m one of your staff.”

For a second, I just stared at her. My blood heated, not with anger but with something I didn’t want to name.

“Careful, Nova,” I said quietly. “You’re playing a dangerous game.”

Her lips curved into the faintest smirk. “Funny. I was about to say the same thing to you.”

She began walking past me, and for some insane reason I snapped. I grabbed her, pinning her against the door, her hands above her head; she was breathing hard, and her face was flushed. 

I looked down at her, and the urge to touch her face was so consuming.

“Let me go,” she said through gritted teeth. 

“Why?” I leaned in, whispering to her. 

“Know your place and stop being disrespectful.” 

“Then stop being an asshole,” she said, trying to push me away. I hesitated for a few seconds before leaning forward and taking her mouth. Her lips were soft and warm. She didn't react; she tried harder to push me away. I leaned into her, pressing my body into hers, and I felt the shiver that ran through her. 

What shocked me was the way my body reacted to her; I let go of her instantly. The look in her eyes was pure fire. “If you ever touch me again, I will murder you in your sleep.” Her voice was ice cold.

And just like that, she walked out of the library, her shoulder brushing mine, leaving me standing in the middle of my own library. Damn her. Damn her for getting under my skin.

I couldn't even stay in the library. I walked out intending to head to my room when I saw Tanya walking in with her suitcase. 

“Killian, I thought you would be asleep?” she said, taking a seat.

“No. What brings you here?” I asked, my tone clipped. 

“My apartment is flooded; can I stay here until it is fixed?” she asked.

“Yes, you know where your room is. I’m heading to bed,” I replied, standing up. I made it halfway across the room when I saw her coming down the stairs. 

“Your grandmother called,” she said as she stopped at the bottom of the stairs. 

“Hi, Nova,” Tanya said, but she didn't reply; she just looked at me. 

“She wants us over at her home this minute. Just us,” she said while looking at Tanya. There wasn't any hatred or contempt in her voice or her eyes. 

“I will be back later; Martha will take care of you. Pacal?”

Pascal walked in, silent as always. “Mr. Ashford?” 

“Prepare the car; we're heading to my grandmother's villa."

“Yes, Mr. Ashford,” he replied. 

“I’ll be outside,” she said, walking past me and Tanya. 

“Umm, is she mad that I’m here? Maybe I should come along to smooth things out?” Tanya replied.

“No. It’s fine; I should be back within the hour.” 

“Okay.” 

When I walked out, she was already in the car. I got in beside her, and we left. On the drive she didn’t say anything. When we pulled up to the villa, I saw the shift in her. When she stepped out of the car, she looked more relaxed and composed.

“Nova, there are.” My grandmother’s voice drifted across the walkway. I made my way around the car and found her hugging the old woman.

“Grandmother” 

“Killian,” she replied, patting my cheek. 

“You called?” I asked, ignoring the woman beside me.

“Yes, I wanted you and Nova here for dinner and to spend the evening with me. It’s Friday, so no work tomorrow.” She said, and I nodded. 

“Of course,” I replied.

“Great, dinner is ready; let’s head inside.” She took Nova’s hand and led her in. 

As we headed in, my phone vibrated. A message from Tanya.

TANYA

Tanya: Hey, I’ll wait for you; when you get back, we’ll have dinner.

I was about to reply. “Killian, turn that thing off and have dinner,” Grandmother said. I pushed my phone back into my pocket.

As we sat down to dinner, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I knew they both heard it. 

“I need to take this, Grandmother.”  I pulled my phone out.

TANYA

Tanya: Hey, you didn't reply? Do you know what time you’ll be back?

Tanya: Killian, come on.

Tanya: I’m hungry.

Killian: Martha will take care of you. I’m having dinner with my grandmother.

I silenced the phone and put it in my jacket and continued eating.