All Chapters of A Debt Called Destiny: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The car door closed behind Elena with a heavy click. She glanced at the black leather seats, then at Kaysen, who sat beside her as if bringing a stranger home at nearly midnight were the most ordinary thing in the world. “Do you always move people into your house without giving them time to prepare?” Kaysen didn’t look up from his phone. “Only when they sign contracts that begin immediately.” “I signed a contract to work for you. I didn’t agree to be kidnapped.” “Kidnapping usually involves someone refusing to get into the car.” Elena turned toward him. “Give me five minutes. I’ll gladly demonstrate.” The driver coughed quietly, suspiciously close to a laugh. Kaysen finally lifted his eyes from the screen. “Something amusing, Thomas?” “No, sir.” “Then focus on the road.” “Yes, sir.” Elena pressed her lips together, determined not to laugh. She wasn’t going to give Kaysen the satisfaction of knowing he had amused her. Outside, the city lights passed across the windows.

The digital clock on the wall read 8:14 p.m. Most of the offices on the upper floor were dark. Beyond the glass walls, the city glittered beneath the night sky, but Elena had barely noticed the view for the past three hours. She was too busy trying to understand why one billionaire needed so many financial reports. She rubbed her tired eyes and looked at the spreadsheet on her screen. “One more page,” she whispered. “Just one more page, and then I’m going to throw this computer out of the window.” “An expensive way to resign.” Elena froze. She knew that voice. Slowly, she turned her head. Kaysen Vance stood behind her chair, his black suit jacket draped over one arm. His white shirt was open at the collar, and his sleeves were rolled up to his forearms. The usual distance in his expression had not disappeared, but there was something different about him without the jacket and tie. He looked less like a businessman attending a meeting and more like a man who had spent the ent

The rain had stopped by the time Elena returned to the estate.She was still smiling when she handed her coat to Eleanor. Dinner with Mina had been exactly what she needed: good food, familiar jokes, and two hours in which nobody had asked her to review a single document.Then Eleanor mentioned that Mr. Vance was waiting in his study.Elena’s smile disappeared.“Did I do something wrong?”“I wouldn’t know, Miss Hayes.”That was hardly reassuring.She checked the time. Nine twenty-three.With a sigh, she walked down the corridor and knocked on the study door.“Come in.”Kaysen stood behind his desk, his jacket removed and his sleeves rolled to his forearms. He was reading a document, but when she entered, he put it aside.His attention settled on her.For a moment, Elena forgot the sarcastic remark she had prepared.There was something about the way he looked at people that made it difficult to tell whether he was merely listening or already forming a judgment.“You enjoyed your evenin

Elena knew something was wrong the moment she entered the estate.Eleanor stood near the entrance, waiting for her with an expression that was far too serious for an ordinary evening.“Is Kaysen home?” Elena asked, removing her coat.“He’s in his study. He asked me to tell you to see him as soon as you arrived.”Elena closed her eyes briefly.Of course he had.After the way he’d behaved at the hotel, she had hoped for one quiet evening without another mysterious conversation, another dark look, or another decision made on her behalf.Apparently, Kaysen Vance had other plans.She handed Eleanor her coat and walked straight to his study.The door was slightly open.Kaysen stood behind his desk, reading something on his phone. His jacket was off, his sleeves rolled to his forearms. A folder lay open beside him, its contents arranged in neat rows.He looked up when she entered.“Close the door.”Elena did, then crossed her arms.“What is it now?”He placed his phone on the desk.“You’re m

Elena made it halfway down the staircase before she realized she was being followed. She didn’t need to turn around. The measured footsteps behind her were unmistakable. “Is there a reason you’re following me, Mr. Vance?” “Where are you going?” “Out.” “That isn’t a destination.” She stopped on the last step and turned. Kaysen stood two steps above her, one hand resting on the railing. He had removed his jacket, and the sleeves of his black shirt were folded neatly to his forearms. His expression was as cold as ever. “I’m going for a walk.” “Not alone.” Elena stared at him. “I’m sorry. Was that a request?” “No.” He descended the last two steps. “Get your coat.” She let out a disbelieving laugh. “You cannot possibly be serious.” “I’m always serious when I repeat myself.” “I don’t remember asking you to come with me.” “You didn’t.” “Then perhaps you should stay here.” His gaze settled on her face. “Perhaps you should stop confusing what you want with what’s sensib