The chill from the evening breeze brushed against Zara's bare arms as she leaned on the balcony railing. Damien stood beside her in silence, his gaze fixed on the skyline, but his energy was taut, guarded.
"She confronted me," Zara said finally.
Damien closed his eyes briefly. "I'm sorry. I didn't expect her to go that far."
"She's bold," Zara said. "And angry."
"She's also manipulative and vindictive," he added. "She's been in this world long enough to know exactly where to strike."
Zara tilted her head. "And where would that be?"
He glanced at her. "You."
Zara's breath caught. "She thinks I'm your weakness?"
"I think," Damien said quietly, "you're the first person who's ever made her feel threatened."
They stood in silence for a moment longer before Zara turned away. "This can't continue like this, Damien. I can't keep pretending."
"Pretending what?"
"That I'm unaffected. That I'm not scared of what she'll do or of what being with you means."
Damien stepped forward, gently taking her hand. "I can't promise this will be easy. But I promise I'll protect you."
Zara stared at their hands. "You can't protect me from everything."
"But I'll try."
***
Across the city, Elenora Knight sat in a private room of an upscale restaurant, her fingers delicately holding a glass of wine. She was not alone. Beside her was Dominic Hale, a long-time business ally and someone with eyes and ears in every circle of power.
"She's a threat to Celine's ambitions," Dominic said.
"She's a key to Damien's heart," Elenora replied. "Which makes her a key to his survival."
Dominic raised a brow. "You believe that old prophecy nonsense?"
"I believe in instincts," she said coolly. "And mine tell me that girl matters."
Dominic chuckled. "You're betting a lot on a stranger."
"I'm betting on love," Elenora murmured. "And I'm betting that love will save him."
***
Meanwhile, Damien received a call from his lawyer as he and Zara returned inside. Zara sat on the couch, observing his posture shift the moment he picked up.
"What is it?" she asked once he ended the call.
"My CFO just resigned," he said. "Without notice."
"That's... strange."
"It's more than strange it's suspicious," he muttered, moving toward his study. "Someone's trying to destabilize the company from within."
"Do you think it's Celine?"
"Or someone working for her," Damien said. "It's not a coincidence this is happening now."
Zara followed him, concern darkening her expression. "What are you going to do?"
"Find the leak. And cut them out before they do more damage."
***
Later that night, Zara couldn't sleep. She walked the halls of Damien's mansion, her thoughts spiraling. Every step she took deeper into his world, the more she felt the walls closing in.
She found herself in the library, the place where she had first seen Damien vulnerable. The same warmth from that night was gone now, replaced by a shadow of looming threats.
A small noise caught her attention.
She turned and froze.
Standing near the back shelf was Damien's younger half-brother, Nolan.
He hadn't been around often, but there was something about his presence that always made her uneasy.
"Can't sleep?" he asked, stepping into the light.
Zara nodded. "You too?"
He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "The house is full of secrets. Sometimes they whisper at night."
Zara stiffened. "What kind of secrets?"
Nolan tilted his head. "Ones even Damien doesn't know."
He stepped closer, voice low. "Be careful, Zara. In this house, loyalty is just another word for convenience."
She watched him walk away, her heart pounding.
Who could she really trust?