Semua Bab LOVE AND DEATH : Bab 21 - Bab 30

CEAL The air left my lungs in a rush I couldn't quite hide. My fingers curled into fists at my sides, and for one dangerous second I let myself imagine it—stepping closer, grabbing him by the back of the neck, wiping that smirk off his gorgeous, infuriating face with my own mouth. Wait. Did I just—? What the fuck was that? "What the fuck are you thinking?" he asked, that same grin still on his lips, those eyes watching me like he could see straight through the mask I'd worn for fifteen years. I forced my breathing to slow. Forced my hands to uncurl. But the heat had already crept up my neck, staining my cheeks, and I knew he could see it. Of course he could see it. That was the whole point of this game, wasn't it? He wanted me off balance. Wanted me rattled. And the worst part was, it was working. "If you're trying to get back on me for back then, doing this with a maid is actually disgraceful." The words came out lower than I'd intended, rough at the edges, scraped raw by someth

CEALNEXT MORNING"Morning, Young Master."Catherine's voice came from behind me, professional and crisp, as she clicked my wristwatch into place. My gaze didn't leave the mirror, didn't leave the reflection staring back at me—the well-tailored suit, the clean lines, the composed face I'd perfected over fifteen years. But the mirror couldn't show the shattered parts underneath. Couldn't show the rot eating through my chest."Yeah. Hope it's a good one." The words came out flat, automatic. I reached for my cologne, the glass cool against my fingers."I came to ask if you'll like breakfast before leaving for work?" She asked again, her voice carrying that careful deference she always used.But my mind had already drifted. Back to yesterday. Back to the dining room and the wine spilling across my sleeve, dark and spreading. I couldn't remember what Catherine had said about the stain—whether it would come out, whether the fabric was damaged beyond repair. The memory blurred at the edges,

CEAL"Ceal... Don't go."The words landed soft, barely louder than the machines humming in the corner, but they stopped me cold. My whole body locked up, every muscle going rigid like I'd been struck. I couldn't move, breathe or even turn around to look at him.The grip on my trousers loosened slowly, finger by finger, until his hand slipped away completely.Before I finally turned.His arm hung limp over the side of the bed, fingers curled loosely toward the floor. His eyes were closed again, lashes dark against his bruised cheekbones, and his chest rose and fell in the slow, even rhythm of deep sleep. Like nothing had happened. Like he hadn't just said my name like it was the only word that mattered."Lucian?" I called, my voice coming out quieter than I intended.No answer. Just the steady beep of the monitor and the whisper of his breathing.I waited. Counted three heartbeats. Then three more.Nothing.Maybe I'd imagined it. Maybe the exhaustion had finally cracked something loos

CEAL"Welcome, Young Master."My driver tilted his head as he walked toward me, the gesture carrying that particular deference the staff had learned to use. I had just stepped out of the car, the engine still cooling behind me, and the night air wrapped around my shoulders like a damp coat.I didn't say anything. Just handed him my suitcase and walked past him toward the entrance, my footsteps echoing against the marble as the doors swung open.The living room was brighter than I expected.Adrian was there, seated in the center of the main couch, his back pressed against the cushions with that relaxed ease he wore when he was in control. Two other men sat across from him, their postures stiff, their suits expensive but foreign in cut. Business partners. Probably the kind who flew in on private jets and left without fingerprints on the glassware.But why were they here at this hour?"Evening, Master." I showed courtesy, a slight dip of my chin, keeping my voice measured.He looked up,

CEALNEXT MORNING.The leather was cool against my back as I sat in the car, waiting. My fingers tapped against my thigh, counting the seconds, measuring the distance between now and when I'd see him emerge from that front door.It was finally the official morning. The day Lucian would be introduced to the company. That is, if he actually cooperated.I let out a slow breath, watching the mist curl around the estate gates. Part of me still wondered what made him think he could go above the system. How I wished he would just follow the way things were supposed to be and stop trying to act above the real deal. But that wasn't Lucian. That had never been Lucian.I hadn't seen him today. Not since we spoke last night, when he'd sat shirtless and bandaged on that couch, looking at me like I was the only solid thing in a world that had just ripped itself apart. Last night had been surprising. He'd looked and acted so different, so broken, like the trauma had already settled into his bones. I