Chapter 8: Secret Plans

“I should be asking that, not you,” I said immediately, my voice tight.

Silence extended across the line. A woman’s voice picking up Felix’s call… Why? The thought nagged at me.

Yes, I don't care about what he does, but I still needed that deal. I can’t let some other woman slide in and put me in that desperate, grasping mood, craving his attention.

Finally, she sighed. “I’m his secretary. He’s still in meetings.”

I didn’t say another word. I hung up, my hand tightened over the phone for a moment before gripping the wheel tighter.

The drive home was quiet, my mind buzzing with irritation and the weight of everything else pressing down.

**

I rolled onto the bed, fighting sleep, but it wouldn’t come. My mind was in a complete mess of my own thoughts. The heir thing… how on earth was I supposed to handle that? How could I even get in touch with Luis again after all these years? And the deal—God, the deal had to be signed.

And then there was Mia. She had called earlier. She’d landed a project manager position, which, honestly, was fine with me. At least she controlled the company’s major activities. At least I can go with plan B. But still, what if plan B also fails me?

I let out a long, frustrated sigh and pressed my face into the pillow. My thoughts wouldn’t stop, racing through schemes, plans, regrets… and every single one of them kept me wide awake. No, I need to calm myself.

I slid out of bed and quietly made my way downstairs. The house was silent; the maids had gone to their rooms. Maybe tonight was the perfect time to finally take a proper tour of this estate.

Stepping outside, I noticed a few guards sitting by the gate, talking quietly about God knows what. I let them be and moved toward the back.

I gasped. The sight before me stole my breath—a massive swimming pool shimmering under the moonlight. Gosh… a swimming pool? Here? And it’s beautiful.

I quickly surveyed my surroundings, then, without overthinking, pulled off my nightgown, leaving only my pants. My chest was bare, but I didn’t care. The water was fucking calling.

I jumped in. The cold hit me, sharp and shocking, then slowly calming. I let myself float, letting the chill wash over me, erasing the tension from my body.

I wish I could send for a glass of red wine; gosh, it feels so good, my eyes roaming over the estate. This view… this is amazing. This estate would be one of the things I would take from that old man.

Wait… Something felt… off. Like someone is watching me.

I stilled in the water, my heart suddenly beating so loud. My eyes scanned the area. Nothing. Just the soft ripple of water and the distant murmur of guards near the gate.

Then, almost instinctively, I looked up.

A shadow stood near the balustrade. It was dark, the figure barely visible, but something in me already knew who it was.

Goddamn it.

I bit down hard on my lower lip, my thoughts turning fuzzy. What if he comes down here? And join me.

I looked up again.

He was gone.

I frowned. Was I hallucinating?

A faint movement flickered from the darker corner of the balcony. My stomach tightened. Were guards stationed there too? Or…

Damn it, I'm naked. I hurried out of the pool, water dripping down my skin as I reached for my nightgown and wore it, my pulse still racing.

“Are you scared, little stepmother?”

I gasped and spun around. How did he even get here? Was he a vampire or something?

“Y‑you were upstairs,” I whispered, pointing toward the balcony.

“Yes, I was. Is there anything wrong with that?” he asked calmly.

I shook my head, but my eyes drifted over him. He was still wearing the grey sweatpants from earlier, except now he's in a white polo shirt, not a bare chest, but I kind of prefer it bare.

“You know,” he said casually, stepping closer, “I was starting to think you’re quite… interesting.”

Before I could respond, he reached up and pulled the shirt over his head.

I froze.

My gaze locked onto him shamelessly before I could stop myself. Every word he spoke faded into the background, pounding like distant drums in my ears. My thoughts blurred, replaced by a dangerous, reckless whisper curling through my mind. All I could think was… what if I just let him fuck me here, right now, on this bench? My hands tightened around my nightgown.

“So… what do you think?”

That was all I could hear. My brain froze, my eyes blinking at him, confused.

He chuckled, shaking his head. “The silence means yes,” he whispered—and before I could react, he grabbed my hand and jumped into the pool.

My heart jumped into my throat. “Are you insane?!” I snapped, water splashing into my eyes.

I blinked, trying to clear the sting. And then… he wasn’t there.

Fear crept up my spine. Wait… What just happened?

Then, suddenly, a hand landed on my lap under the water. I gasped, my chest tightening, and looked down—his head rising out of the water, his eyes locking with mine.

“Why are you always so nervous around me? That’s… unlike you,” he said softly.

Unlike me? I blinked. “You… you know me?” I asked, my voice barely steady.

He chuckled. “Of course.”

“I thought you were investigating me,” he said casually, eyes locking onto mine. “You know about my mother’s death… but not about my university days.”

Fair enough. Maybe he does know me since we both attended the same university—a lot of people did back then.

I let out a small sigh, curiosity bubbling through my nerves. “So… what else do you know about me?” I asked, trying to sound casual, though my heart was racing at how close we were.

“Nothing much,” he said with a shrug. “Just that your company is bankrupt… and you married your grandfather instead.”

He burst into a mocking laugh.

Gosh… he is such a handsome jerk.

Strangely, I wasn’t offended. Instead, I found myself grinning. Maybe it was because it was the first time I had seen him laugh for real, not that cold smirk and a gentle smile he usually wore. His face looked different… lighter.

Maybe I should get to know him more, I thought slowly, watching the way the water dripped from his hair. Maybe… I could also use him as a weapon for my game; he could be my plan C.

The thought settled in my chest, dangerous but tempting.

“So… you’re an athlete?” I asked softly, letting the question hang in the air.

He nodded casually, like it was no big deal.

“Why do you like swimming?” I pressed, curiosity getting the better of me.

He stared at me for a moment, then smiled faintly.

“Because… there’s nothing wrong with it,” he said, opening his hands as if the gesture explained everything.

I scoffed under my breath. The Millers aren’t exactly easy to tame, I watch him casually float in the pool, completely untouchable, completely himself.

“So… you do things just because there’s nothing wrong?” I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper.

Silence stretched between us. Then he swam closer, slowly, deliberately.

My eyes blinked rapidly, anticipation tightening my chest. My heart was hammering in my ribs.

“Sophie… you are so beautiful,” he whispered, soft, almost careful.

Everything inside me went silent. I could only stare at his eyes, lost.

Without warning, he lifted my legs. I instinctively wrapped them around his waist, gripping him to hold my balance in the water.

My pulse raced, and for a moment, it felt like the night should remain still.

“And you have a great body,” he whispered in my ear, his voice low and dark.

My breath hitched, and my grip tightened on his shoulder instinctively.

He slowly rubbed my butt with his strong hands from the water. I gasped, immediately feeling his cock hard beneath me.

Oh my goodness.