Se connecterLiora POV“This is the beginning of my downfall.” I muttered to myself.The photo remains on my phone.I cannot move.I cannot breathe properly.Because it is not just a picture to me .It is proof.Proof that someone has been digging into the part of my life I buried.The part I spent years trying to escape.The club.That night.Darius.The baby.My hands tremble as I look at the message again.“I know the truth about the baby.”A cold feeling spreads through my body.Because there is only one truth about the baby.And only two people alive who know what really happened.Me.And Darius.I slowly look at him.For the first time, I see fear in his eyes.Not fear for himself.Fear for me.Darius immediately takes the phone.He studies the picture carefully.I watched him.His expression becomes unreadable.“Who else knows?”I shake my head.“No one.”The silence between us becomes heavy.Because we both know what this means.Someone has been watching.Someone has been waiting.Darius
Liora POVThe moment I ended the call with Darius.I went back to staring at my screen.Selene Blackwood.The name attached to the anonymous email.For several minutes, I refuse to accept what I am seeing on the screen.“It must be a mistake.”“It should be.”I muttered to myself Because Selene is the one person I never expected.She was the person who searched for and gave me the job.The person who brought me into the Blackwood family.The person who protected me when everyone else looked at me like a mistake.My fingers tighten around my phone.“No…”I whisper to myself.There has to be another explanation.Someone could have used her name.Someone could have accessed her account.Someone could be trying to destroy the relationship between us.Because the alternative hurts too much.I refused to accept it.The idea that Selene, my sister, the person who gave me a family when I thought I had none, could be behind this…“I cannot accept it.” I muttered to myself.“Why would she do t
Liora POVI picked up my bag leaving the coffee cart, after our first peaceful conversation in weeks.For the first time in a long time I noticed something strange.I looked at my mate bond.It doesn’t feel like a wound anymore.It feels calm.But that scares me more than the pain ever did.Then I reminded myself.“I am not rebuilding my life for Darius.”I thought to myself again.“I am doing it because i deserve a life where I am not constantly running from my past.I muttered to myself.After deliberate thinking while returning from work.I decide to focus on my work with Gerald’s company.My new promotion opportunity becomes the center of her attention.“Thats my priority now.”I threw myself into the project, refusing to allow my emotions about Darius to distract me.But while working, my phone beep.I check it was a message.I received a message from Darius.Not romantic.Not demanding.Just:“Did you get home safely?”I stare at the message for several minutes.A few months a
Liora pov “Why would you use Gerald to keep track of me?”I flared in anger.Three weeks of fragile stability collapse during a single conversation. I confront Darius after learning about his involvement in Gerald’s oversight structures. I directly ask him “Did you instruct Gerald to monitor my work or wellbeing in any way?”The question immediately shifts the tone between us.“You get the wrong idea Liora.”“What__?”Darius explains carefully that “I did not instruct surveillance.”He paused.“My intention, was only to ensure you had support if needed.”But the explanation does not land as intended.Liora reacts sharply. “To me, the distinction is irrelevant.”I hesitate.“The outcome remains the same: someone in my professional environment is reporting back about her life.”“This is not what you are thinking Liora.”“You are misunderstanding the whole piont.”“Misunderstanding what?”Silence.“You are now repeating a pattern I left behind Darius.”“Huhhh” Darius sounded con
Selene didnt wait for the first crow before calling Darius.She calls Darius directly on Wednesday morning without warning and immediately sets the tone of the conversation. There is no warmth or small talk. “ I heard you’ve been communicating with Liora recently.”She didn’t wait for his response.She makes it clear.“I am not calling to support or approve your growing connection with Liora. ““Instead, I am issuing a warning.”Daruis became silent.She paused. “If you ever harm Liora again.”“Emotionally, psychologically, or through control.”“I promise to hunt you down.”Darius has been silent from the beginning of the conversation.“Listen carefully, I will not hesitate to use the full authority of the Blackwood name against you.”The statement is not emotional. “Mark my words Darius.”It is final.Darius accepts the warning without resistance. “You can have my word Selene.”He does not argue or attempt to justify himself. “I will not hurt Liora for any reason Again.”“Go
Liora POV I was half asleep and half awoken. My phone beeped with notification.I checked it’s from Darius.I sat up immediately.I felt a spark inside of me.I quickly open the message.“Hope you slept good?.”The question is simple, but it carries weight given everything we shared the previous day. I hesitatedI did not respond immediately. I kept staring at my phone.When I finally reply.I decide to let my answer be honest rather than guarded. “I slept better than I have in a long time, though not perfectly. “I hesitated.Then send it.After deliberate thought. I decide to ask him the same question. “Hope you slept good.”Immediately my phone beeps.A text from Darius.Darius admits.“I also slept better than usual”Then a notification comes in.“A rare occurrence for someone who has been struggling with persistent insomnia. My night was good.”I heaved a sigh of relief. I immediately connects this improvement.“Well this is thanks to Dr. Lucian,your therapist. He i
Liora POV Saturday afternoon is supposed to be ordinary. I have finished my work. I spent my time exploring one of Gerald's properties.Knowing the problem and how to fix it.When I was done.I decided to walk home through the busy city streets. The last thing I expects is for my mate bond to
Liora POVSix weeks after leaving the mansion, i spend a quiet Saturday morning in a neighborhood coffee shop.Business at the café is steady.It creates the kind of background noise I enjoy.With a drink beside me.No urgent responsibilities demanding my attention. I heaved a big sigh of relief
Darius POVOver the following weeks, I decided to begin constructing a routine.This has nothing to do with damage controlBusiness crisis.Neither emotional avoidance.Every morning before sunrise, I go for a run.Jog for an hour.I timed myself. At first the habit exists simply to exhaust mysel
Darius POVMy week begins with chaos.I just woke up to my phone ringing.I was reluctant to check the caller.Or picking the call on first ringThe call becomes repeated.I decided to check the caller.It was my mom.I hesitated at first.Then I reluctantly picked the call but later a regret.Earl







