LOGINSelene 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 “What is he doing close to my house.” I bit my lips.“What does he want.” “I thought we agreed about this.”I muttered to myself.I approaches Darius’s parked car slowly.I stood for some minutes.Then I gathered courage.I hesitated.I watched Daruis.His expression.He senses my presence.Even before he fully sees me.I immediately looked at the mate bond and watch it flicker.I decided to stop outside the passenger window.I deliberately choose that position.So that the power dynamic of the conversation remains balanced.When he rolls the window down, the distance between us feels both small and significant.I am not avoiding him, but I am also not entering his space without intention. I immediately remind him of what he said earlier.I didn’t wait for him to say hello first.“ I thought we agreed if you wanted to ask, you would need to do it properly?”His expression tightened.He stares at me.Silent.I did not allow the conversation to drift into polite avoidance o
Darius sees Liora's message almost immediately.His first instinct is to respond.Months ago he would have acted without hesitation, driven by emotion and urgency. He would have typed whatever came to mind and hoped that passion alone would somehow fix everything.This time he stops himself.The conversation on the pavement taught him something important.Wanting contact does not automatically mean he is entitled to it.Instead of sending a reply, he puts the phone away and focuses on the commitment he already made to himself.Therapy.Later that day he sits across from Dr. Lucien and recounts everything that happened during the encounter.He describes the overwhelming force of the mate bond, the struggle to remain where he was instead of closing the distance, and the difficulty of watching Liora walk away.He admits that every instinct inside him had urged him to follow her.Admitting these things feels uncomfortable, but necessary.For perhaps the first time, he speaks honestly abou
Liora's professional success continues to grow, but with success comes responsibility. While reviewing operational records at one of Gerald Osei's struggling propertiesshe notices discrepancies that refuse to make sense. She investigated about it deeper.What begins as routine analysis quickly evolves into something far more serious. After days of cross-checking records,receips,booking data. She discovers evidence of a sophisticated fraud scheme. The trail leading directly to Vincent.A manager who has spent eighteen months manipulating booking ledgers to conceal parallel room rentals.And diverting cash payments away from official records. Armed with documentation, Liora confronts him privately. “Why would you do such deceitfu things l to the hotel.”“You entrusted to manage the affairs but you diverted funds made for the hotel, turning the hotel to ruins.”Vincent looks at me.His expression hardens.“the discrepancies could be through accounting errors and misunderstandin
By the time Dr. Thorne arrives at the Blackwood townhouse carrying a container of homemade soup.Selene immediately suspects something unusual is happening. “Did you invite Thorne.” Selene asked.Ravenna shook her head.“But today isn’t my check up, whereas I go to the hospital for it.”Ravenna replied, “I will confirm why he visits.”Ravenna went to open the door, staring at Thorne in a weird manner.He hesitated at first.“Uhm hmm, hi Ravenna.”Ravenna nodded her head.Looking directly at what he was holding.“I was making soup, made too much, and thought you might appreciate some.”The explanation he provides sounds innocent enoughThe excuse is technically plausible, which somehow makes it even more suspicious. Ravenna appears equally unconvinced.She looks at him for a moment but allows him inside anyway. What follows becomes one of the most entertaining afternoons Selene has experienced in weeks. She watch both of them closely.Thorne and Ravenna settle into conversation wit
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
Liora POVI arrived nearly forty minutes early for my meeting with Gerald Osei. I had waited for this day.I anticipated this day.And I don’t want to screw it up.The financial district is already busyIt is already filled with professionals moving through their routines with practiced confidenc
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







