CHAPTER 2: The Man of Winter

The rest of the night passed without a single second of sleep. Every time I tried to slip into a dream, the shadow of that dark glint in Adrian’s eyes pulled me back to reality.

His low voice, uttering the word "vanish," echoed against the towering ceiling of my room.

Who exactly was this family my mother had just married into? Victor appeared to be a respectable man with a philanthropic smile, but his only son spoke as if he were both judge and executioner in a world beyond the reach of the law.

Morning greeted me with a thin mist clinging to the mansion’s sprawling grounds, lending an air that was both mystical and haunting. I descended the marble staircase with hesitant steps, my fingers trembling as they brushed the cold banister. I just wanted a cup of coffee and silence, hoping to avoid the master of the house.

But fate was never on my side.

In the dining room, which was as vast as a hotel ballroom, Victor and my mother sat at the head of a long oak table. They looked perfect together—my mother in her morning silk gown and Victor radiating an aura of power.

In another corner, separated by rows of gleaming silverware, sat Adrian. He was sipping black coffee while scrolling through something on his phone—a classic scene that stood in stark contrast to the dangerous aura he emitted last night.

"Ah, Alina! Come here, sweetheart; have breakfast. You look so pale," my mother called out, her voice cheerful in a way that felt foreign to my ears.

I took the seat furthest from Adrian. Yet, even though he didn't look up, I could feel his presence like a heavy weight pressing down on my shoulders.

"Did you sleep well, Alina? Is your new room comfortable?" Victor asked warmly. His sharp eyes seemed to weigh every inch of my expression, searching to see if I had discovered something that should have remained hidden.

"I slept well, Father," I lied. My voice was slightly raspy, causing my mother to frown with concern.

"Good. Because today is an important day. The driver was supposed to take you to your new campus for registration," Victor continued, glancing at his watch. "But I’ve changed my mind. Adrian, you take her."

I choked on the water I had just sipped. A chill ran down my spine. "What? There's no necessity, Dad. I can go by myself. I'm used to public transport, and besides, I have a ride-sharing app—"

"Not in this city, Alina," Victor interrupted, his tone soft but undeniable. "Your safety is a priority now. Adrian isn't busy this morning. Besides, you aren't familiar with the intricacies of this city yet, are you? Adrian, you don't mind, do you?"

Adrian set his phone down slowly. He stood up, his movements methodical, almost predatory.

"Of course, Father. I'll make sure... this precious cargo of yours arrives safely at her destination," Adrian replied, his voice filled with sarcastic humor.

He turned toward me. A thin smile that didn't reach his eyes appeared on his lips—a smile that looked more like a predator's smirk.

"Let’s go, Little Duck."

I furrowed my brows, a sense of offense beginning to burn in my chest. "Little Duck? My name is Alina."

Adrian walked past my chair. He leaned down slightly, his sharp, masculine scent overwhelming my senses. "Slow, noisy, and far too curious."

My face flushed. I quickly grabbed my crossbody bag. “I’m leaving now, Mom and Dad.” I kissed my mother’s cheek before hurrying after Adrian.

Inside the black sedan, the silence was suffocating. Adrian sat behind the wheel in a casual yet expensive suit, focused on the road with a flat, unreadable expression.

I kept my gaze fixed on the window, watching the rows of trees blur past. Finally, my curiosity became unbearable. "Who are you, really? And who is your father?"

Adrian didn't look my way. His fingers tapped the steering wheel in a steady rhythm. "I am your brother, and he is your father. Isn't that what's written on your mother's marriage certificate?"

"Don't play games with me. I heard your conversation last night," I hissed, emboldened. "You were talking about shipments and making people vanish. That's not the language of a real estate businessman."

Suddenly, Adrian slammed on the brakes.

Screeech! The seatbelt sharply jerked my body back, propelling me backward. He spun the wheel with one hand and pulled the car over to a deserted shoulder under the shade of lush trees.

He cut the engine, making the silence inside the car twice as haunting. Adrian turned toward me. His arm rested on the back of my seat, trapping me in a narrow space filled with his overwhelming presence.

"Listen to me carefully, Little Duck." His voice was low, nearly a growl. "In this house, you have two choices for survival. First, keep your mouth shut and your ears closed and be the lovely, obedient daughter to please your mother. Enjoy my father's money, shop to your heart's content, and don't ask questions."

"Second, you keep asking, you keep digging, and I can’t guarantee you’ll like the way this world answers your curiosity. This world isn't kind to naive girls who like to meddle in other people's business."

"You can't keep threatening me! I have a right to know where my mother is living!"

"I’m not threatening you," he corrected, his voice softening, which somehow made it even more terrifying. "I am giving you a choice. You carry this family name now. My father’s enemies won't care that you're just an innocent stepdaughter. To them, you are a target. And to me..."

He paused, staring straight into my eyes as if trying to pierce through my mind. "...to me, you feel like an additional burden that I must continue to endure. "So, don't make my job any harder."

***