Chapter 5: Bite Your Tongue or Bite Back

I opened my eyes to a soft morning light, but my heart still raced from the way he kissed me last night.

I sat up slowly, still in the same guestroom, wearing the same clothes, his jacket draped over me.

My fingers touched my lips as I remembered everything—his breath, his hands, the way he said I would burn right.

Just as I stood up, the door opened, and Lucas stepped inside, his face blank like last night had never happened.

“You can leave now,” he said simply, his voice cold again like he hadn’t held me close just hours ago.

I crossed my arms, keeping my voice calm. “So that’s it? No good morning? No coffee? Just back to business?”

He leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. “I warned you not to confuse a moment of heat for something soft.”

I laughed, low and bitter. “You don’t have to worry. I wasn’t looking for love. I don’t even believe in love.”

His jaw tightened, but he didn’t move. “Then good. Because I don’t want misunderstandings ruining what we’re building here.”

I raised an eyebrow, walking closer. “And what exactly are we building, Mr. Black? A company? A war?”

He looked away briefly, then back at me. “Something that works—for both of us. If you stay smart and stay sharp.”

I nodded slowly, keeping my eyes on his. “I didn’t come here for romance, Lucas. I came for revenge and power.”

His lips twitched, almost like a smile, but it never fully came. “Then you’ll fit in just fine at Black Corporation.”

I walked past him, stopping at the door. “Don’t worry. I’m not weak enough to cry over one kiss and a cold goodbye.”

His voice came low behind me. “And I’m not foolish enough to let desire control how I treat my best weapon.”

I turned my head slightly. “Weapon? Not a partner? Not equal?”

He shrugged. “You’re not equal yet. You have fire, yes. But let’s see if you can survive the flames, Eva.”

I left the room without looking back, but my heart slammed against my ribs like it wanted to fight instead of feel.

---

When we reached the office, everything felt quiet, but my phone buzzed loud enough to make my pulse skip again.

I looked down at the screen and saw one name that still made my stomach twist with disgust.

Dad.

Lucas glanced at me, noticing my face. “You don’t have to answer if it’s someone who doesn’t matter anymore.”

I held the phone loosely and said, “He doesn’t matter—not to me, not anymore, and definitely not in the way he hopes. But I still have to answer”

I answered the call and put it on speaker without thinking. My voice was steady—but if this had been before I was reborn, I’d be shaking.

“Eva Lancaster,” my father said harshly, his voice full of anger. “Do you have any idea what time it is?”

I looked at the clock. “It’s 8:03 a.m. And yes, I do know. I’ve been up early. Some people work, you know?”

He growled, and I heard something slam in the background. “Don’t get smart with me! You didn’t come home last night.”

Lucas tilted his head slightly but said nothing, watching with calm eyes and unreadable thoughts behind them.

“I smiled slightly. ‘That’s right, I didn’t come home. And I don’t owe you an explanation. I’m not your pet anymore."

“You’re still my daughter,” he snapped. “And you will act like it, or I’ll make sure you lose everything.”

Lucas raised an eyebrow at that, his jaw moving, but he stayed quiet, letting me handle it without stepping in.

I stepped into the corner of the office and said calmly, "I already lost everything the moment you decided to arrange that marriage with that bastard."

There was silence on the line, and then he laughed, cold and cruel. “You think you’re smart now? You think you’re strong?”

“I don’t think I’m strong,” I whispered. “I know I am. And you? You’ll see just how strong very soon.”

He cursed and hung up, and I didn’t flinch—I stared at the screen like someone who’d already survived worse.

Lucas stood slowly and walked over, his voice low. “If he ever touches you, I’ll break him so cleanly he’ll vanish.”

I looked up at him, surprised. “I don’t need you to protect me, Lucas. I just need you to give me the tools.”

He nodded once. “Then let’s build your arsenal, Miss Lancaster. Because war is coming, and you should look like you planned it.”

---

Later that morning, I followed Lucas into the conference room again, my spine straight, my heels clicking like I already owned the room.

Today’s meeting was with a client named Mr. Huang—someone important, someone powerful, someone known for not liking women in business.

Lucas glanced at me. “Don’t speak unless I ask you to. And don’t lose your cool no matter what he says.”

I gave him a small smirk. “If he tries me, I’ll bite my tongue. Unless you want me to bite something else.”

He coughed once like a laugh tried to escape, but then the doors opened and Mr. Huang walked in with his men.

Huang’s eyes landed on me fast, and he frowned. “You brought a woman to this table, Mr. Black. That’s bold.”

Lucas didn’t blink. “I bring strength to the table, Mr. Huang. Don’t mistake sharpness for softness. That would be your loss.”

Huang snorted, not amused. “I don’t trust women in suits. They talk too much and work too little.”

Lucas leaned back and smiled. “Then maybe you should listen more and talk less. Eva? Show Mr. Huang our revised numbers.”

I stood up, walked to the screen, and clicked the remote. “This is your old profit. This is your missed profit.”

I flipped the slide. “And this? This is what you’d earn with our partnership—if you learn how to shut up and listen.”

Huang’s mouth opened in shock, but Lucas didn’t stop me. His eyes stayed on me, calm, proud, like I had passed another fire.

Huang chuckled, but it was dry. “You have guts, girl.”

I smiled. “I have more than that. I have brains, numbers, and no time to flatter men who fear me.”

The meeting ended with a signed agreement, but I knew I’d crossed a line, the way Mr. Huang looked at me? Yeah—he’s coming. Let him try. I’m not fucking scared. I’m not that weak-ass version of Eva anymore.

I walked out with Lucas, saying nothing.

---

In the elevator, Lucas finally spoke again. “You like pushing people to the edge, don’t you?”

I nodded without smiling. “Only when the enemy thinks I came unarmed.”

He looked at me, long and hard. “You remind me of someone I once knew—a girl who wanted the world to burn.”

I turned to him slowly. “Then I hope she did it right. Because that’s exactly what I came back to do.”

The elevator doors opened, and we stepped into his office again.

Lucas poured himself a drink and then poured one for me too, holding it out like a peace offering with fire.

I took it, not blinking. “Are you trying to soften me or drown me?”

He smirked. “Neither. I’m just watching how much you can take before you lose yourself.”

I took a long sip, letting the burn fill my throat. “I already lost myself once. That’s why I’m dangerous now.”

He sat across from me, his eyes darker. “What if I said I want to know who you were before the storm?”

I placed my glass down slowly. “She’s dead. You wouldn’t have liked her. She was sweet and soft and stupid.”

Lucas leaned forward. “I don’t like soft women, Eva. But I do like sharp ones who can cut me when I deserve it.”

I stared at him for a long time, then said, “Then you’re going to bleed. A lot.”

He smiled, slow and wicked. “Good. Maybe I need to remember what it feels like.”