Chapter Six: Tainted Promises

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, barely recognizing the girl who looked back at me.

My eyes were swollen, my hair tangled from his hands, and my skin still burned from where he had touched me.

I could still taste him.

Still feel the imprint of his body against mine.

The scent of him clung to my skin, no matter how many times I tried to scrub it away.

Killian.

I whispered his name like a sin on my tongue, shame tightening my chest.

Twice, I had given myself to him.

Twice, I had crossed a line I could never uncross.

And now, I was drowning in it.

A shudder tore through me as I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to hold in the guilt, the shame… and the aching need that hadn’t faded.

I should hate him.

I should hate myself more.

But when I closed my eyes, all I could feel was him, the way his hands gripped my hips, the way his mouth devoured mine like I was the only thing keeping him alive.

I pressed my forehead against the cool mirror, breathing heavily.

Soon, Victor would come looking for me.

He had woken up early to speak to my father about something.

Soon, I’d have to smile and pretend I wasn’t filthy with his brother’s sin.

But no matter how wrong it was, a part of me didn’t regret it.

And that terrified me more than anything.

Because even now, I ached for him.

Ivy, you’re so screwed.

I wiped at the corner of my mouth like I could somehow erase the memory, the taste, the burn he had left behind.

A knock sounded at the door, sharp and impatient.

“Ivy?” Victor’s voice. Steady. Controlled. Familiar.

I jumped, heart thundering, guilt clawing at my throat.

“One second!” I croaked, scrambling to fix my hair, to smooth the trembling from my hands.

I splashed cold water on my face and grabbed the nearest towel, patting myself down like it could erase the evidence.

I couldn’t let him see.

I couldn’t let anyone see.

Taking a shaky breath, I opened the door.

Victor stood there in a crisp white shirt, sleeves rolled to his elbows, jaw set in a familiar, polished smile.

But his eyes… they skimmed over me sharply, assessing, suspicious.

“You okay?” he asked.

I nodded too quickly.

“Yeah, just… didn’t sleep well.”

He smiled again, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

The innocent touch made my stomach twist violently.

If he knew what I had done with his brother…

If he knew how I had moaned another man’s name while wearing his ring…

“You look beautiful,” he said softly, completely oblivious.

I almost burst into tears right there.

Instead, I forced a smile, letting him guide me down the hall.

Every step I took beside Victor felt heavier than the last, like chains wrapping tighter around my ankles.

Deep down, a shameful part of me had hoped to see Killian again.

Hoped for one more stolen glance, one more silent touch.

But when we entered the dining room, he was nowhere in sight.

My parents were already seated at the table, along with my older brother, Andrew, whose presence seemed to brighten the entire room.

I rushed over to him.

“Andrew,” I breathed, throwing my arms around his neck.

He pulled me into a tight hug, and for a moment, I could almost forget.

Forget what I had done.

Forget how ruined I was.

“Little sister,” Andrew chuckled, ruffling my hair, “you’ve gotten prettier in just a few weeks. You trying to make us all look bad?”

I laughed, a real one, and clung to him like a lifeline.

Andrew was the heart of our family, the one who always understood me without me having to say a word.

Throughout breakfast, I stayed close to him, asking endless questions about his business trips, desperate for the distraction.

Andrew indulged me, as he always did.

“So sad your brother couldn’t join us for breakfast,” my father said, glancing at Victor.

“Oh, Killian’s never been the stay-in-one-place type,” Victor replied easily, cutting into his food. “I’m surprised you even got him to stay the night.”

I almost choked on my toast.

Stay the night.

If only they knew the real reason why.

I ducked my head quickly, hoping no one noticed the way my hands shook.

But Andrew’s sharp gaze caught mine, his expression flickering, something too quick to name.

Was it suspicion?

Or just concern?

“At least we’ll finally meet him properly,” my father said, smiling. “Put a face to the infamous name.”

I forced a tight smile, nodding along.

But inside, my heart raced wildly.

Because deep down, I knew the next time I saw Killian…

everything was going to change.

And this time, I wasn’t sure I’d survive it.