CHAPTER 03: Her Guardian Angel

Davina was too mentally preoccupied to concentrate on work. The weight of her thoughts pulled her down like invisible chains. After attending a few meetings in a haze, she decided to call it a day. With a few brief instructions to her secretary, she left the office.

Her mansion —The Oak Grove Mansion on Wolseley Road, nestled in the affluent suburb of Point Piper, overlooked the ethereal view of Lady Martins Beach. A grand, three-story estate, it was a seamless fusion of opulence and timeless royalty.

The exterior bore the regal charm of classical architecture, while the interiors exuded palatial elegance. The golden and creamy white theme ran like poetry through its walls. Every inch of the mansion whispered luxury— each curve, carving, and corner was a testament to painstaking craftsmanship and intricate design.

The estate boasted a private beach, more than thirty rooms, two internal pools, and three shimmering external ones. Its lush garden surrounded a central fountain, echoing serenity. At its heart stood a vast round hall visible from every quadrant of the house, crowned by an enormous golden glass chandelier. Beneath it stood a statue of a woman, gracefully encircled by flowing water— a silent sentinel of elegance.

The living room was minimalist yet extravagant, anchored by an eighty-inch plasma screen and fine, precisely arranged furniture. The dining area was anchored by an exquisite Aisu table, followed by a kitchen sculpted in Fiore di Cristallo— a masterpiece in its own right.

There were three study rooms, each bearing its own unique architectural identity, a state-of-the-art gym, an expansive library holding books from every genre, a game room that could rival entertainment lounges, a fully stocked bar with the finest international spirits, a music room, an artist’s sanctuary, and a master bedroom with a mesmerizing view of the ocean, complete with a private pool.

Priceless paintings from all over the world adorned the walls of the mansion—  silent witnesses to a life of extraordinary taste and endless secrets.

As Davina entered her haven, she stormed into her bedroom. Her mind was in utter disarray, flooded with stormy thoughts. All she craved in that moment was a comforting embrace and a safe place to cry. She repeatedly dialled her Michey, each call heartbreakingly rerouted to voicemail. Frustration clawed at her as she impatiently fidgeted with her fingers before resorting to text messages.

Texts:

                    “Michey, where are you? I’m back home…”

                    “Are you coming with me???”

                    “I know it's a last-minute change, that's why I need to talk…”

                    “Where’s everyone???”

                    “Micheeyyyy… Mike… Micheeeyyyy…”

                    “Okayyyy byeee… I’m not talking to you…”

A soft smile bloomed on her lips as she read over her childish texts, and a giggle escaped her. Just thinking about him brought a warmth to her chest. She undressed, after lighting her favourite scented candle, stepping into her luxurious Archeo Copper Bathtub with a glass of wine in hand. The warm water embraced her like silk as she sipped slowly, allowing her mind to drift amidst the chaos within.

But peace refused to settle.

It was the first time she found herself riddled with uncertainty. Her conscience— once razor-sharp— now quivered with doubt. She desperately tried to still her heart, yet the only face that appeared in her mind was his— the one that had haunted her for nearly five years. The devil who had marked her soul.

She wasn’t ready to face him. Not now. Maybe not ever.

That single thought unravelled her. Despite everything— despite the pain, the betrayal— some stubborn, fragile part of her still held on to him. Still… hoped what if everything was just a misunderstanding, but she couldn’t just forget the humiliation she had to endure, the pain and torture she suffered, the abandonment of her loved ones, the bloodshed that was caused because of her, so much more.  

How could she just erase all her suffering for that slight hope and love her heart craved from him? She very well knew that hope and her feelings for him were a threat to the perfect revenge she had planned. That spark of weakness infuriated her.

With a scream, she hurled the wine glass across the bathroom. It shattered into a thousand glistening shards. She clawed at her hair, crying out like a woman losing her grip on sanity. Nothing could silence the storm in her chest. And the whispers nagging her sanity. Even his mere memory rendered her powerless.

.

She cleaned herself — threw on her robe, and stormed out of the bath, grabbing her MacBook and attempting once again to call Michey. When the call went unanswered, rage consumed her— she flung the device aside.

Collapsing onto her bed, she picked up her phone. Her wallpaper, their smiling face, it melted the fire of her rage. A lump caught in her throat. Swallowing her sobs, she got up and walked into her closet. She picked out a simple black pencil dress with split sleeves and slipped it on, pairing it with a zip-up sweatshirt.

She began packing— a mix of haste and desperation. Except for some important documents, Michey had already packed all of her things. Her heart warmed at the thought. Her cheeks blushed, and she shook her head to ground herself. She called for Jack, who quickly obeyed her silent gestures to prepare her luggage.

She touched up her makeup, grabbed her clutch, and with one last lingering look at her phone, her eyes filled with tears. She wiped them away, kissed the screen gently, mouthed a soft “Sorry,” and stepped out of her room with grace that could shatter hearts.

She settled on a couch in the living room, quietly going through some documents. One of the maids approached her, holding a note from Michey.

Davina took it, her expression softening. But the moment she realized she wasn’t alone, she masked her emotions and sent the maid away.

She opened the note.

‘Hey babe,

Missing me?

First of all, I’m REALLY sorry, sweetie… I know you’re angry and probably frustrated seeing no one at home, but I’m tied up with something urgent— so urgent I haven’t even had a moment to call you. Please forgive me.

I dropped them at Mr. Parker’s place. They didn’t want to go. I think they were missing you. You didn’t show up for weeks, Davina. I think they wanted to be with us. Maybe just call Mr. Parker and speak to them.

I’ve arranged everything— your important files, documents, and I’ve even booked the chopper. It’ll pick you up at 8 PM sharp. Don’t worry. Just call the aviator once you’re ready.

I don’t know why you preponed your trip, but please don’t do anything reckless. Take care of yourself. Everything else— food, accommodation— has been arranged. My team will be there at the airport to receive you.

LOVE YOU, BABE. I’LL MISS YOU. And I promise I’ll be with you soon.

With love,

Your Michey.’

Her heart fluttered at his words. Tears of quiet joy slid down her cheeks as she kissed the part where his name was written. But just as the warmth began to settle in her chest, a memory stabbed her— a bitter one.

Her breath hitched.

“Why are you so good to me, Michey…? What have I done to deserve you?” she whispered, her voice barely audible through the sobs.

“You’ve done everything for me… You’ve given me strength… love… protection. You never judged me. Never asked questions. You stood by me when I had nothing, when I was no one…”

Her body shook with the weight of unspoken emotions.

“You are my safe place. My mentor. My best friend. You’re like a father when I’m scared, a brother when I’m reckless, a mother when I’m sick… You’re my everything, Micheyyy…”

She sobbed harder, voice stammering.

“You deserve someone better. Someone whole. Someone who can love you with everything. Not someone like me… I can’t even love myself. I’m tainted, broken… You deserve the world.”

Her tears soaked the letter in her trembling hands.

“I wish I’d met you before I met him… Maybe then, life would’ve been different. Maybe I wouldn’t be so… cursed. So broken on the verge of insanity, suffering from PTSD, severe depression and whatnot.”

She kissed the note again, whispering through the pain, “Thank you, Michey… I love you. You are my savior. My world. My light in this damned darkness…”

She leaned back, eyes closed. The silence embraced her as memories of Michey swirled around her— his silly habits, his stubborn affection, the way he saw through her without needing words.

A smile curved her lips as she drifted deeper into the memory of the very first time she met him…