Chapter 4

Kyra

I woke up to the soft rustling of sheets and the distant sound of footsteps on the wooden floors of the hallway. It took me a second to remember where I was. Julie was still asleep beside me, her lashes resting on her cheeks and her lips slightly parted. Her breathing was light… controlled. Relief washed over me. No attacks. No signs of discomfort, everything was calm. I moved carefully, trying to get out of bed without waking her—but when I lifted my eyes, I saw the silhouette standing at the door. Then I froze.

The white shirt, arms crossed, his gaze fixed on me. Expressionless. Cold and observant. I stood up in a restrained impulse, adjusting my wrinkled dress and trying to find the right words. While I felt my chest rise and fall with anxiety.

— Mr. Blackthorne, I’m sorry. I… — I cleared my throat, looking away — I ended up staying, she asked for a story and… fell asleep in the middle of it. I didn’t mean to invade her privacy.

He raised one eyebrow slowly and stared at me without reaction.

— Do you think you invaded?

— Yes… I mean, I know I shouldn’t have. It wasn’t part of the instructions. I’m sorry, it was supposed to be just a story, but I ended up falling asleep with her.

He stepped into the room, stopping beside the bed, and looked at his daughter for a few seconds. Then he turned back to me.

— She had a peaceful night. It’s been quite a while since she slept this much.

It wasn’t a question. It was a statement.

I nodded cautiously.

— No attacks, no nightmares — he continued, his voice low like cold silk. — That hasn’t happened in… months. You’re managing it. I hope you don’t leave.

I swallowed hard.

— So… you’re not angry about this? I thoug—

— You broke a rule — he interrupted, looking straight into my eyes. — But I won’t punish you for it. It doesn’t seem like such audacity.

My breath caught in my chest. He took another step closer. Close enough for me to feel his scent. Subtle, expensive, enveloping. And as dangerous as his presence.

— You disobeyed… with sweetness. And that is rare, Miss Lystem. I liked the part where you challenged me, you’re lucky you caught me in a good mood.

A strange warmth spread across my cheeks. As if that had been romantic, when it never would be.

— I just wanted to take care of her, the way a child should be cared for, Blackthorne. She’s still a baby. She needs affection, comfort, and bedtime stories. I’m sorry, but do you even understand that?

— And you did. Better than I expected. Better than I allowed. But that’s good, when it comes to Julie. And… I don’t understand, Kyra. I don’t know how to deal with children and I don’t know how to take care of my own daughter.

— It’s never too late to learn something new.

Liam circled around me like a wolf stalking its prey—without touching, but invading my space invisibly.

— Maybe you don’t yet understand what obedience means in this house. Nor the weight of an exception. But… — he stopped behind me, so close that his breath brushed my neck — …you’re starting to learn fast, Kyra. It seems like you’ve been through all of this before. And you know what’s best? Your availability.

I closed my eyes for a second. One part of me wanted to step back. Another… wanted to see how far this would go. He stepped away then, with the same calm with which he had approached.

— From now on, you take care of her until eight at night. Or until after she falls asleep. After that, it’s on me.

— With… you? — Even without meaning to, a small laugh escaped me.

He turned toward the door, without looking back.

— You understood me perfectly.

— I’m not a prostitute, Blackthorne. I didn’t accept this job to submit to your whims. Don’t think you know anything about my past, because not even I do. Don’t try to use anything against me. Because you’ll be wasting your time.

I stood and collided my body against his chest. The scent of whiskey mixed with his perfume left me frozen and I took a deep breath, sitting down again.

Liam

She responded with tears in her eyes, as if it bothered her. But if it bothers her, it’s because there are reasons and a past that I will discover as soon as possible.

She didn’t understand that she had awakened the door of my desire the moment she crossed that entrance. She tries to be sexy, but fails miserably. While Julie is feeling fine like this…

— And I don’t think you are a prostitute, Miss. I demand that you forgive me if you understood it that way. — She didn’t look at me, not anymore.

— Can I have something to drink in your mansion? Other than water and tea? — She smiled, but it was an awkward laugh, just like she was.

I should drink more, then I’d have the courage to do something more with her.

I hate myself for remembering Eva when I look at her. Her dark eyes and brown hair are the only things that differ, but her face… they look like twins. Damn it. She could look like anyone, except the woman I loved most in my life.

— Feel free after my daughter falls asleep, Kyra. You can drink, use the pool or the jacuzzi. Make yourself comfortable whenever you want.

— Thank you, but I’ll settle for a glass of whiskey.

— As you wish. — I stepped aside to let her pass and let her go…

Before going upstairs to my room, I looked through the window and there she was. In the garden, wrapped in a coat, with a glass of whiskey in her hands, as if that could possibly warm her skin.

Before lying down, I checked my emails one last time and there it was—the damned message:

"Hello, Liam. We won’t prolong this. Julie’s grandfather and I have already filed for custody of our granddaughter. If you step down, it will be better. You know that. You don’t have time for the girl and you live in that depressive bubble you call life and work. Accept it and everything will be better for her.

Zinna"

Julie’s damned grandmother never gets tired. Maybe I should show her that you don’t mess with daughters who have fathers who will fight for them.

I opened the email and replied with the purest politeness she deserved:

"Zinna, I sincerely hope you and your husband go to hell. And you know what? I’m done trying to be polite to you. If you bring this up again, I promise I’ll ruin both of your lives. Just as you silently wish for mine. And for the last time, I’ll repeat: Julie will never go with you, because what you did to her mother is a sin that goes beyond death to pay for. You bastards. Stay away from my daughter, or I’ll personally end the miserable thing you call your lives.

Liam Blackthorne"

Everyone carries some kind of pain that eats them from the inside. But when I look at Kyra, the world seems to erase everything that ever happened. Her face always reminds me of chaos and at the same time, I see healing right before my eyes. I must be going crazy, or far too obsessed. Maybe it’s just the effect of the alcohol, which will pass faster than I expect.