Chapter 8: The Trap

Morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Blackwood Holdings.

Damien stood in his office, staring at the anonymous photograph lying on his desk.

The woman in the picture was facing away from the camera, her long dark hair dancing in the wind as she stood on a hotel balcony.

He had looked at the photograph countless times since the previous evening.

It made no sense.

He couldn’t see her face.

Yet every time he looked at it, an odd feeling settled deep inside his chest.

Almost as if he had lived that moment before.

A knock interrupted his thoughts.

“Come in.”

Daniel entered carrying a stack of documents.

“The board meeting starts in thirty minutes.”

Damien nodded.

“Any updates on Miss Cole?”

Daniel looked surprised.

“I thought you gave her today off.”

“I did.”

“Mrs. Harper informed the office that Ethan is doing much better.”

A wave of relief washed over Damien before he realized he had reacted.

“Good.”

Daniel smiled slightly.

“You seem unusually concerned.”

Damien picked up a file.

“She’s a valuable employee.”

Daniel didn’t reply.

He wasn’t convinced.

Meanwhile, Ariana was determined to enjoy her unexpected day off.

She sat at the dining table helping Ethan solve a difficult maths problem while Emma happily colored butterflies in her drawing book.

“Done,” Ethan announced proudly.

Ariana smiled.

“Correct again.”

Emma held up her picture.

“What about mine?”

Ariana laughed.

“It’s beautiful.”

Emma frowned dramatically.

“You didn’t even look.”

“I don’t have to.”

“Why?”

“Because everything you draw is beautiful.”

Emma giggled before running into her mother’s arms.

For the first time in years…

Ariana felt peaceful.

Then the doorbell rang.

She frowned.

“I’ll get it!”

Emma skipped toward the door.

Standing outside was a woman wearing a navy-blue suit.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning.”

“I’m from Blackwood Holdings.”

Ariana stepped forward.

“Is everything alright?”

The woman handed her an envelope.

“Mr. Blackwood asked me to deliver this personally.”

Ariana blinked.

After the woman left, she opened the envelope.

Inside was a handwritten note.

Take another day off if you need it.

The project can wait.

Family comes first.

—D.B.

Nothing more.

No unnecessary words.

No flowers.

No grand gestures.

Just simple kindness.

For reasons she couldn’t explain…

It touched her more than she wanted to admit.

Across town, Victoria slammed her phone onto the table.

“What do you mean he sent her a handwritten note?”

Her assistant swallowed nervously.

“That’s what we were told.”

Victoria paced the room.

“This isn’t happening.”

She had expected Damien to lose interest after the hospital incident.

Instead…

He was getting closer.

Much closer.

She grabbed her handbag.

“If Ariana won’t stay away from Damien…”

A cold smile spread across her lips.

“I’ll make Damien stay away from Ariana.”

…

Later that afternoon, Ariana returned to the office to collect a set of project blueprints she had forgotten.

The building was unusually quiet.

Most employees had already left for an external presentation.

She unlocked her office.

The lights flickered.

Strange.

As she gathered the documents, footsteps echoed behind her.

She turned.

“Victoria.”

Her sister smiled.

“You look surprised.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I came to see you.”

“I don’t believe that.”

Victoria walked slowly around the office.

“You’ve done well for yourself.”

“What do you want?”

Victoria stopped beside Ariana’s desk.

“I want you to resign.”

Ariana laughed.

“No.”

“I wasn’t asking.”

“I know.”

Victoria leaned closer.

“You’re getting too close to Damien.”

“That’s called working.”

“You know exactly what I mean.”

Ariana met her sister’s eyes.

“I really don’t.”

Victoria’s smile disappeared.

“You’ve always been good at pretending.”

“I’m not pretending.”

“I’m warning you.”

Ariana folded her arms.

“Are you afraid?”

Victoria scoffed.

“Of you?”

“No.”

Ariana took one step forward.

“You’re afraid he’ll see who you really are.”

Victoria’s face darkened.

Before she could answer…

The office door opened.

Damien walked in.

His eyes moved between the two sisters.

“Am I interrupting?”

Victoria’s expression changed instantly.

Her cold glare vanished.

Tears suddenly filled her eyes.

“Mr. Blackwood…”

She sniffled.

“I only came to apologize to my sister.”

Ariana stared in disbelief.

Victoria continued.

“But she refuses to forgive me.”

Damien looked at Ariana.

She knew exactly what Victoria was doing.

Playing the victim.

Just like she always had.

“Ariana…” Victoria whispered.

“I know I hurt you.”

“I know I made mistakes.”

“But I’m still your sister.”

Silence filled the room.

Damien waited.

He didn’t speak.

He simply observed.

Ariana took a slow breath.

Then she smiled.

A calm…

Dangerously calm smile.

“You want forgiveness?”

Victoria nodded dramatically.

“Fine.”

Damien frowned slightly.

“I forgive you.”

Victoria looked relieved.

“But…”

Ariana’s voice remained steady.

“I also remember exactly who you are.”

The smile vanished from Victoria’s face.

“So forgive me…”

Ariana picked up her handbag.

“If I choose not to let you hurt me twice.”

Without another word, she walked past both of them.

Damien watched her leave.

Then he looked back at Victoria.

For some reason…

He couldn’t shake the feeling that Ariana had been telling the truth.

And Victoria…

Had just put on the performance of her life.