Chapter 5: Illusions

Aiden stood by the window of his office the sun  creeping through the curtain. Lucy watched him from the behind, her heart still racing from the near-kiss. The air felt thick, heavy with everything unsaid.

“Last night,” Aiden began, turning to face her, “what you saw outside… it meant nothing.”

Lucy searched his eyes. They were tired but sincere. “I believe you,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. “I don’t know why, but I do. Maybe because the man who carried me here, who took off my shoes and made sure I was safe… that man doesn’t feel like someone who would sneak out for cheap pleasure.”

Aiden stepped closer, his expression raw. “You drive me insane, Lucy. Every day. I tell myself I can’t want you. That I shouldn’t. But when I see other men looking at you the way I do…” He stopped, jaw clenched. “I lose control.”

Before she could respond, he closed the distance. His hand cupped her face with surprising gentleness, thumb brushing her lower lip. Their eyes locked for one heartbeat — two — then his mouth claimed hers.

The kiss was intense, desperate, born from days of suppressed tension. His lips moved against hers with hunger, tongue teasing entrance as she gasped. Lucy melted into him, fingers curling into his shirt. For a moment, the world disappeared. There was only heat, the taste of him, and the way his body pressed against hers like he wanted to consume her.

Then reality crashed back. Lucy pulled away sharply, breathing hard. “I… I can’t,” she stammered. She grabbed her things and rushed out of the office before he could stop her, heart pounding..

Aiden didn’t chase her. He stood frozen, lips still burning from her taste.

His phone rang. It was his mother.

“Aiden, your brother is back.”

The words hit like ice. “From prison?”

“Yes. He’s been released early. We’re throwing him a welcome party tonight. Come home.”

Aiden arrived at the family mansion to loud music and clinking glasses. The grand hall was filled with elite guests. In the center stood Ethan — his twin brother — smiling like he owned the world. The same smirk that had gotten him locked away in a luxurious prison reserved for the wealthy.

Aiden forced his way through the crowd. His mother beamed beside Ethan.

Aiden raised his glass during the toast, voice cutting through the cheers. “To my brother, Ethan. The rebellious criminal who finally decided to grace us with his presence again. May your return not destroy everything our family has built.”

Gasps rippled through the room. Ethan’s smile vanished.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Ethan snarled, stepping forward.

“You heard me,” Aiden shot back. “You’ve always been the same — a ruffian who takes what he wants without caring who gets hurt.”

The fight exploded. Ethan lunged, grabbing Aiden’s collar. They crashed into a table, glasses shattering. Punches flew. Aiden landed a solid hit to Ethan’s jaw, revealing the street-hardened side he had buried long ago.

“Enough!” Their mother’s voice cracked like a whip. She marched forward and slapped Aiden hard across the face. “How dare you humiliate your brother in front of everyone? After everything this family has sacrificed for you both!”

Aiden touched his stinging cheek, breathing heavily. “Sacrificed? He’s the one who nearly ruined us.”

His mother’s eyes blazed. “You will welcome him properly, Aiden…”

The party continued awkwardly, but the damage was done. Aiden left early, mind spinning with dread. His brother’s return meant trouble — especially where Lucy was concerned.

Aiden stood on the balcony, nursing a drink. His mother appeared behind him like a ghost.

“You embarrassed this family tonight,” she said coldly. “Ethan has suffered enough. You will support him publicly or I will reconsider who inherits majority shares.”

Aiden laughed bitterly. “Of course. The criminal son gets rewarded while the one who kept the company alive gets threats.”

“You were always the cold one,” she replied. “Ethan has charm. People like him. Learn from your brother.”