Chapter 4

Kyra

I woke to the soft rustling of sheets and the distant sound of footsteps on the wooden hallway floor. It took me a second to remember where I was. Julie was still asleep beside me, her lashes resting on her cheeks and her little mouth slightly open. Her breathing was light… steady. 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 in the doorway.

And I froze.

White shirt. Arms crossed. Eyes fixed on me. Expressionless. Cold. Observant.

I stood up in a contained impulse, straightening my wrinkled dress and trying to find the right words while my chest rose and fell with anxiety.

“Mr. Blackthorne, I’m sorry. 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 moving.

“Do you think you invaded it?”

“Yes… I mean, I know I shouldn’t have. It wasn’t in the instructions. I’m sorry. It was only supposed to be 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 calm night. It’s been a long time since she slept this much.”

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

I nodded carefully.

“No attacks. No nightmares,” he continued, his voice low like cold silk. “That hasn’t happened in… months. You’re doing well. I hope you don’t leave.”

I swallowed hard.

“So… you’re not angry about this? I tho—”

“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 forward. Close enough for me to catch his scent. Subtle. Expensive. Enveloping. And as dangerous as his presence.

“You disobeyed… gently. 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 heat spread across my cheeks. As if that had been romantic—which it absolutely wasn’t.

“I just wanted to take care of her like a child should be cared for, Blackthorne. She’s still a baby. She needs affection, comfort, 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. I don’t know how to take care of my own daughter.”

“It’s never too late to learn something new.”

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

“Maybe you still don’t understand what obedience means in this house. Or the weight of an exception. But…” he stopped behind me, so close his breath brushed the back of my neck, “…you’re learning fast, Kyra. It seems like you’ve been through all of this before. And do you know the best part? Your availability.”

I closed my eyes for a second. Part of me wanted to step back. Another part… wanted to know how far this would go.

He stepped away with the same calm he had approached with.

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

“With… you?” A small laugh slipped out before I could stop it.

He turned toward the door without looking back.

“You understood me perfectly.”

“I’m not a whore, Blackthorne. I didn’t accept this job to indulge your whims. Don’t think you know anything about my past, because not even I do. Don’t try to use anything against me. You’d be wasting your time.”

I stood up and my body bumped into his chest. The scent of whiskey mixed with his perfume left me breathless, and I inhaled deeply before sitting back down.

Liam

She answered with tears in her eyes, as if all of this bothered her deeply. And if it bothers her, it’s because there are reasons. A past I will uncover as soon as possible.

She didn’t understand that she awakened the door to my desire the moment she stepped into this house. She tries to be seductive, but fails miserably. While Julie… feels better this way.

“And I do not think you’re a whore. I ask that you forgive me if you understood it that way.” She wouldn’t look at me anymore.

“May I have something to drink in this mansion? Other than water and tea?” she asked, forcing an awkward smile.

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

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

“You may feel free after my daughter falls asleep, Kyra. You can drink, use the pool or the jacuzzi. Make yourself comfortable whenever you wish.”

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

“As you wish.” I stepped aside to let her pass and watched her go.

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

Before lying down, I checked my emails one last time. And there it was—the damn message:

“Hello, Liam. We will not drag this out. Julie’s grandfather and I have already filed for custody of our granddaughter. If you lower your guard, it will be better. You know that. You don’t have time for the girl and live inside this depressive bubble you call life and work. Accept it and everything will be better for her.

Zinna”

Julie’s damn grandmother never stops. Maybe I should show her that you don’t mess with daughters who have fathers willing to fight for them.

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

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

Liam Blackthorne”

Everyone carries some kind of pain that eats them from the inside. But when I look at Kyra, the world seems to cancel out everything that happened. Her face always reminds me of chaos and, at the same time, I see healing right in front of me.

I must be going crazy.

Or becoming far too obsessed.

Maybe it’s just the effect of the alcohol, which will pass faster than I expect.