Chapter 16: Unexpected Messages

The morning started like most others now. I woke up, stared at the ceiling for a few minutes, then forced myself out of bed. Another day in this big, quiet house. I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and put on simple clothes. Downstairs, Mrs. Hale had breakfast ready. Lucian was already at the table, looking sharp in a dark suit.

“Morning,” I said quietly as I sat down.

He gave a short nod. “Morning.”

We ate in silence for a while. I tried to make conversation like I usually did.

“Did you sleep well?” I asked.

“Fine,” he replied, not looking up from his phone.

I nodded and took another bite. These short answers didn’t hurt as much as they used to, but they still left me feeling empty. After breakfast, Lucian stood up.

“I have meetings all day,” he said. “Remember the rules. Dinner at seven.”

“Yes,” I said. “I remember.”

He left without another word. I helped Mrs. Hale clear the table a little, then went to the garden. The fresh air always helped clear my head. I sat on my usual bench behind the tall plants and pulled out the hidden phone. I just wanted to check if Evelyn had sent anything.

There was a new message. But it wasn’t from Evelyn.

It was from Ethan.

My heart stopped for a second. The message read:

Rory, please. I know I messed up badly. I was paid to get close to you and make you sign those papers. I never wanted to hurt you like that. I still care about you. Can we talk? Just once. I’m so sorry.

I stared at the screen, my hands starting to shake. Paid? The memories came rushing back, walking in on him with Natalia, the way they laughed, the way he tricked me into signing everything away. Tears filled my eyes. Part of me wanted to reply, to ask why, to get some kind of closure. But another part knew it was dangerous.

I typed a quick reply in my head but deleted it. No. I couldn’t do this. I deleted the entire message and cleared the chat. My chest felt tight. I sat there for a long time, breathing slowly, trying to push the emotions down.

Later that evening, I dressed for dinner and went downstairs. Lucian was already at the table. He looked tense tonight, his jaw tight and shoulders stiff. Something was different.

“Sit,” he said.

I sat across from him. Mrs. Hale served the food. The silence felt heavier than usual.

“How was your day?” I tried.

“Busy,” he answered shortly. He cut his food with sharp movements.

I tried again. “I spent some time in the garden. The flowers are really nice this time of year.”

He didn’t respond. His eyes stayed on his plate, but I could feel him watching me when I wasn’t looking.

“Is everything okay?” I asked carefully. “You seem… upset.”

Lucian set his fork down and looked at me directly. “Did you get any messages today?”

My stomach dropped. How did he know? I kept my face calm. “Just from Evelyn. Nothing important.”

He stared at me for a long moment, like he was trying to read my mind. “Good. Remember what I said about contact. No one from your old life.”

I nodded. “I remember.”

The rest of dinner was quiet. He barely spoke, but his leg brushed mine under the table once. This time it felt less accidental. The touch lingered for a few seconds before he pulled away. My skin tingled, but I didn’t say anything.

When dinner ended, Lucian stood up. “Come with me.”

I followed him out of the dining room and into the hallway. As soon as we were alone, he turned suddenly and backed me against the wall. His hand came to my waist, gripping firmly but not painfully. He leaned in close, his body heat surrounding me.

“Ethan contacted you,” he said, voice low and dangerous. “Don’t lie to me, Aurora. I know.”

I swallowed hard. “It was just one message. I deleted it. I didn’t reply.”

His fingers pressed deeper into my waist, pulling me a little closer. “You will not respond to him. Not a single word. He is dangerous, and you are mine now. Do you understand?”

The possessiveness in his voice sent a shiver through me. I nodded quickly. “Yes. I understand.”

He held me there for a few more seconds, his eyes dark and intense. His thumb moved once over my side, almost gently. Then he let go and stepped back.

“Stay away from him,” he warned one last time before turning and walking away toward his study.

I leaned against the wall, breathing fast. My waist still felt warm from his grip. The way he said “you are mine” echoed in my head. I touched the spot where his hand had been and closed my eyes.

This man was becoming more confusing every single day.

Lucian’s Pov

I closed the study door and leaned against it, fists clenched. I had seen the message on her hidden phone through the monitoring system. Ethan’s words made my blood boil. The thought of him trying to get close to her again made me want to break something.

I poured a drink and sat down. Watching her delete the message helped a little, but not enough. She was too kind. Too trusting. I needed to make sure she stayed away from him.

But the real problem was me. The way I gripped her waist in the hallway. The way I couldn’t stop touching her lately. Every small contact made my control slip more.

I pulled up the security feed and watched her standing in the hallway, touching the spot where I had gripped her. She looked confused. Beautiful. Tempting.

I rubbed my face and turned off the screen.

This obsession was getting dangerous.

I went up to my room and lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. I didn’t know how long I could stop myself from claiming her.