walk in

51. Zavian I drive as if I'm being chased and I'm driving along the driveway to the estate in record time. The only thought that keeps ringing in my mind is the fact that Asena came back. Whatever the reason is, she came back.By the time I get to the door, the butler is already there waiting for me and it's all quiet.“Where is she?" I ask, already handing him my jacket.“She's asleep," he says in a whisper and I raise an eyebrow.“She refused to go up to your room and she fell asleep while waiting on the sofa," he says and I walk in slowly so as not to wake her.I think of the time it has taken me to get here and realise that she must be exhausted. For her to fall asleep that quick, I don't even want to think about what she must be going through."Did she eat anything?” I ask the butler and he points to the milk tea and snacks still on the coffee table. “She didn't touch anything,” he says. "She looked exhausted," he adds and I see pity in his eyes.Why did Richard have to do this

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52. Home Feels Too Much Like HomeAsenaI wake up slowly and for a few precious seconds, I don't remember where I am.The mattress beneath me is soft and the blanket is warm and this shouldn't be the hotel.A familiar scent lingers in the room, clean cedar mixed with expensive cologne, and before I even open my eyes, my heart already knows where I am: The Hale mansion.I blink against the morning light filtering through the curtains. The bedroom comes into focus little by little: the high ceiling, the dark wooden furniture, the enormous windows overlooking the gardens.I fell asleep here. I actually fell asleep while waiting for them.The memory returns in pieces: I came to return their card, to thank them and to tell them goodbye. Then… Nothing.I slowly push myself upright and the movement makes the blanket slide down my shoulders.I glance at my clothes… still the same ones from yesterday. Someone removed my shoes and a quiet warmth settles inside my chest.Only one person would th

to breathe

53. The Silence That Terrifies MeCaspian The deal finally closes just before noon and I hate that I didn't get to spend the night with Asena but it's all settled now. It was all worth it because it's all for her.I stare at the signed contracts spread across the conference table while the two shareholders reluctantly shake my hand. Money changes people but fear changes them even faster.It took weeks of negotiations and a mountain of evidence but none of it worked. But just enough pressure reminding them that betting against me is a poor business decision made them yield. Now the final shares are mine or rather, ours.Alessandro loses another piece of his empire today. I should feel satisfied but instead, I feel exhausted.I loosen my tie as I leave the building, rolling my shoulders to work out the stiffness that has settled there after a night without sleep. Dust clings stubbornly to my black shirt from one of the abandoned warehouses where the meeting begins, and when I climb int

lose her

54. The Things She Doesn't SayCaspian'I don't like silence, not this kind. The mansion is usually quiet, but today the silence feels different. It's heavy like the walls themselves are waiting for something.Asena excuses herself after lunch, smiling apologetically as she sets her napkin beside her plate."I'll freshen up," she says softly.Zavian nods without looking up from the document in his hand."Take your time."She smiles again. Another one of those smiles, small and peaceful. The kind that never reaches her eyes."I won't be long."She disappears up the staircase and I watch until she vanishes around the corner. Only then do I realize I'm still staring.Zavian notices, "you've been doing that all afternoon," he says."I know.""You think something is wrong.""I don't think." I lean back in my chair. "I know."He doesn't argue because he knows it too. Neither of us says another word.Edward appears a few minutes later carrying a fresh pot of coffee. He begins clearing the ta

the chair

55. What Cannot LoseCaspianFootsteps echo across the second-floor hallway and both Zavian and I look toward the staircase at the same time. For one hopeful second, I expect to see Asena. Instead, it is Maria, one of the younger maids. She pauses when she notices both of us staring at her."...Did I interrupt something?"I don't answer."Maria," I say quietly, "where is Miss Asena?"She blinks, "I... I thought she was with you, sir."Everything inside me goes still."What?""I saw her walk toward the back corridor a few minutes ago. I assumed she was meeting you."The purse almost slips from my hand again and I look at Zavian. He is already looking at me and neither of us speaks. We don't need to for we both have the same thought: she's gone.Without another word, Zavian reaches for the intercom mounted beside the staircase. His voice is calm."Edward."The reply comes immediately, "Yes, Mr. Hale?""Where is Miss Asena?"A pause, "I... don't know, sir.""Find her."No shouting, no pa

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56. SafeAsenaThe door closes softly behind Caspian. The sound is quiet and for several seconds, I simply stare at the empty doorway.He is gone. Just like that. My heart feels strangely hollow and I don't know why. Maybe it's because I know where he is going, maybe because no one has ever left to fight for me before or maybe because he says it so simply: "To bring your mother home." As if it is the most natural thing in the world. It's as if my pain is now his responsibility.I don't understand these men and I don't think I ever will.Silence settles over the room after he leaves. I lower my head and stare at my hands resting in my lap and they are trembling. I clench them together, hoping it will stop but it doesn't.A warm hand covers mine and I don't need to look up because I already know who it is: Zavian.He says nothing as his thumb simply brushes across my knuckles back and forth. He does it slowly and patiently.My vision blurs again."I don't understand," I whisper.His voi