Chapter 11

Sarah's POV

“Did you do it, Kael? Have you been secretly recording us? The café, the texts, all our conversations? Is that how Eleanor got the screenshots?”

He blinked, genuine confusion crossing his face. “What? Sarah, no. I would never…”

“Don’t lie to me.” I took a step closer, clutching the strap of my bag, with my heart hammering. “She had printed messages. My words to you after the gala. All our conversations. And she mentioned security cameras catching us. How else would she know details? You’ve always been around the art scene. You know everything about me. You've been acting like you're protecting me by keeping evidence or... or something. You've been spying on me, feeding her information…”

Kael set the canvas aside fully and moved toward me, hands raised in surrender. His dark eyes were wide with shock. “Sarah, stop. I’m not spying on you. I swear it. I have no idea what cameras she’s talking about. That’s insane. She's trying to play with your intelligence and you're falling for it.”

I laughed bitterly. “Don’t give me that excuse. You’ve been advising me, acting like you support me. Maybe you wanted proof in case things went wrong. Or maybe you were recording to... I don’t know, use it later. After all, I'm not useful to anyone.”

My voice cracked. Tears pricked my eyes. I hated myself for being helpless.

Kael didn’t raise his voice. He took another careful step forward but stopped when I tensed. “Sarah, look at me. I have never recorded you. Not once. Not at the café, not outside, nowhere. Those texts? They’re just between us. I delete half of them because they feel too personal. Whatever Eleanor has, she got it another way. Maybe she has people following you. Maybe your phone is being monitored. That family has money and control issues, it wouldn’t surprise me if they tapped into your accounts or hired someone. But it wasn’t me. I would never betray your trust like that.”

I searched his face, wanting to believe him. “Then how does she know?” I whispered, sinking onto a nearby stool. “She threatened to show the world everything if I took one more step wrong. The contract with my family will be terminated leaving my family in debt, and I'll have no one to run to. I’d be ruined. And I’m the reason. Because I gave that stupid speech. Because I met you for coffee. Because I can’t stop wanting to feel like myself again.”

Kael knelt in front of me so our eyes were level. His hands hovered near mine but didn’t touch. “I don’t know how she got the messages. But I’m not part of it. I’ve only ever wanted to help you. That woman knows what she's doing. She's trying to blackmail you so you'll be her dog forever. And you're acting exactly how she wants you to act.”

His denial felt sincere, but I'm not falling for it. “ Let's not meet again, Kael. Let's cut all ties we have now. I'll do things on my own from now henceforth. I don't want to get into more trouble.”

Kael stood up sharply. “Sarah… no… no… no… you can't do that now. What can you possibly do on your own? If you're scared because of the threat, then I promise you that I'll get to the root of this matter. I'll make sure I prove to you that I'm innocent. But please, don't do this to yourself, don't do this to me. How do you want me to feel knowing that you're not happy and I can't reach you?”

I smiled sadly. “How am I sure that I'm not being recorded right now? Even if you're not involved, I'm still not safe. I'm being monitored. Don't you understand?”

Kael took a step forward. “Okay… if you're worried about being recorded. We can minimize the way we see or talk. But please, I beg you. Don't end things. I have never meant bad for you, I promise. Sarah… Please rethink your decision.”

“Kael…”

My words were cut short by the ringing of my phone.

I brought out the phone and it was an unsaved number, but I picked it anyway.

“Hello,” the unfamiliar voice said immediately I picked up. “It's Carla Ruiz from the gala party. I got your number from your husband.”

“Adrian…” I muttered.

“Ohh… Good day ma'am,” I continued. “I wasn't expecting your call. It's nice hearing from you.”

“Yhh… I've been thinking about working with you on an upcoming project so I had to collect your number from your husband,” She said.

“Yes ma… Please, what kind of project ma'am,” I asked.

She replied instantly. “Ummm… this is about business, and I'll appreciate it if we can discuss it in person.”

She continued. “What's your schedule like in three days? Can we meet so we could discuss it over coffee?”

“Of course ma'am,” I replied immediately. “I'd really like to partner with you. But I'll need to check my schedule and get back with you before the end of tomorrow.”

“Okay, thank you so much,” she said. I'll be expecting your response then.”

The call ended and I was left again with Kael.

I face him. “Stay away from me, Kael. I'm now a married woman, and I'm not supposed to be seen meeting up with a man. It will be a stain to my name. So let's end things now before things get worse.”

He breathed out. “Are you sure about this decision?” He asked. “You're pushing away people who care about you while placing yourself in the lion's den.”

My face hardened. “ You don't have to worry about me now. I'm an adult. I'll take care of myself. It's only right if I clean the mess I made myself. Stay away from me so it won't cause any more damage.”

With that said, I stood up, taking my leave.

I stepped out into the alley, the late afternoon sun blinding after the gallery’s soft light. My phone buzzed as I reached my car. Adrian: Mother said you’re doing foundation research. Home by 6? Dinner with the Voss couple rescheduled.

Guilt twisted hard. I typed a quick reply and started the engine.

I questioned myself. “Was I too harsh on Kael?” But I shook the thought away immediately.

I did the best thing.

If I'm to fight my way out of this shackles, then I must make sure I clear the way so nothing will be used as an obstacle against me.