When Tomorrow Felt Too Close by Nyrox Vale 5

Chapter Five 

Kieran’s POV 

After three days of negotiations, I loosened my constricting tie and leaned back exhausted in my leather seat, pulling out my phone to check 

messages. 

The screen was cluttered with notifications–Celeste had sent exactly forty–seven messages. From “Kieran, how’s the meeting going?” to “I went to see the new flower exhibition today,” to “I miss you“-each one dripping with a little woman’s coquettish dependence. 

But in Aurelia’s chat thread, there was only one message. 

A single “okay” sent three days ago, sitting there cold and lifeless. 

I remembered that phone call. I’d told her I had urgent business to handle, that my phone would be off, and to contact James if she needed anything. Her tone had seemed… off, but I’d been too preoccupied with the upcoming meeting to think much of it. 

Looking back now, her voice had been wrong. Too calm. Disturbingly calm 

I sent her a message: ‘Business is done. I’ll be back tomorrow.” 

Then I stared at the screen, waiting for her reply. One minute, five minutes, ten minutes passed. Still nothing. 

Was she angry? 

藏13% 

The Mafia’s Secret Captive 

The thought irritated me. Was it about the basement? 

Genevieve bad stormed into my office, practically frothing at the mouth: you don’t teach Aurelia a lesson, I’ll have the police charge her 

with assable 

Td polled every string I had, even leveraged the family’s connections within the police force, to suppress the matter. In the end, I’d had no choice but to put Aurelia in the basement for a few days to appease Genevieve and Celeste. 

The basement wasn’t ideal, but it was my territory. My people wouldn’t dare truly harm her. Just a few days to reflect–better than prison. 

Sit, the car is ready. My assistant Owen appeared at the door, standing respectfully. 

I pocketed my phone and stood to straighten my suit. Maybe she was asleep. Or just throwing a little tantrum. I’d go home and smooth things 

ovet. 

On the way to the airport, Owen handed me an exquisite jewelry box from the passenger seat. 

Sir, this is the piece you asked me to acquire from the auction house.” He said carefully, “It’s been verified–it’s definitely Miss Aurelia’s 

mother Catherine’s brooch. We bought it back from Miss Celeste.” 

Imagining Aurelia’s expression when she saw this brooch, I couldn’t help but smile. 

Owen continued: “Miss Aurelia is actually very kind–hearted. I’ve never believed she could be the informant. Last month, the new apprentice gardener at the estate accidentally trampled her beloved rose bed. If it had been any other young lady, that apprentice would’ve been finished. But she didn’t blame him at all–she even helped redesign the garden layout herself-” 

Owen saw my darkening expression and realized his mistake, sweat beading on his forehead. “Sir, I… I spoke out of turn.” 

“Sir, I just… I just hope you’ll be good to Miss Aurelia.” Owen’s voice trembled. “To outsiders, you seem to care more for Miss Celeste than Miss 

Aurelia… 

“What are you trying to say?” My tone dropped dangerously low. 

Owen swallowed hard, gathering his courage. ‘Sir, on one hand you say you love Miss Aurelia, on the other you’re protecting Miss Celeste. I… I honestly can’t tell–who do you actually love?” 

“Aurelia, of course!” The words came out almost as a roar, laced with indisputable fury. 

Owen was so startled he went rigid, not daring to speak another word. 

Memories flooded back like a tide. 

Three years ago, I was ambushed by the rival Thorne family. Two knives. Emergency surgery at our private hospital. 

After I was stabilized, the Thornes bribed the hospital security and pulled away all my guards, planning to finish me off while I was vulnerable. 

It was Celeste–a nurse at the hospital then–who risked everything to contact my men and get them there in time. 

She saved my life. 

And for that, Celeste suffered the Thornes‘ retaliation. She was badly injured. 

The Malla’s Secret Capiten 

*y tim the former 

3 head bran plans, isiling them where you were, teletes tale i like bokan prate. She ingel have been height off. 

Ban hold nearly bom me apart. I took by men and, under 

subou prstenes the spilled cutter on my publicly dragged but any 

thist saw her thure years ago, when thed just toomed sightsen. Bly men uuted her to the Marvihome mansion. The moment she saw pr there war for fear in her eves–only confusion. 

When did Lever spill coffee on yun? She tilted her head at me. Did you get the wrong person? 

Arrogant. Naive. But breathtakingly beautiful 

In the days that followed, the challenged every boundary–switched my razor to a pink one, made faces behind me during important video conferences, deliberately paraded around in sheer nightgowns. 

Every time, I kept my composure on the surface. But my heart would skip beat. 

Then came the night that changed everything. She stole my bathrobe, When I walked out of the bathroom naked, her face flushed red as a ripe apple and she scrambled to escape, 

I grabbed her wrist. The alcohol made me lose control–no, I wasn’t actually drunk. I just needed an excuse to release the desire I’d been 

suppressing. 

To claim her. Mark her. Make her completely mine, 

In the countless nights that followed, we tangled in the dark, parted in the dawn. I never said I loved her–because beneath it all, there was still that lingering hatred for the informant.‘ 

But somewhere along the way, the hatred faded, replaced by an uncontrollable love, 

“Sir, we should board.” Owen’s voice pulled me back to reality, 

The private jet cut through the night sky, carrying me back to Ashford City Thinking of seeing Aurelia soon lifted my mood. 

Maybe she’d already prepared my favorite breakfast. Maybe she’d be waiting for me in that black silk nightgown. Maybe she’d throw herself into my arms like always. 

At the thought, I quickened my pace. 

Pushing open the doors to the Blackthorne mansion, the living room was brightly lit, everything as usual. I looked around, searching for that familiar figure. 

“Kieran!” 

A sweet voice called from the staircase. My lips curved into an involuntary smile. 

But when I looked up and saw who was speaking, my smile froze on my face. 

arpont 

23undred warning to that Lamiliar igute 

Coway end Kowually mouthing he dress Idenineed Aurelia she went to my mothers. 

劳动维斯洋nsages hey: when he joy coming back force something for you. 

ad the waiting for reply. Minutes passed. Still nothing. 

Android raise. The Boomerant 1 opened the door, I Love 

*** *** using ring had been transformed into some kind of ceremonial space–red roses and white candles everywhere, the table draped in fake, cry endebars banging from the ceiling, flower petals scattered across the floor. 

Yaaren, 1 tow you ateste stood before me, tears in her eyes. “Since college, I’ve loved you. For you, I’d give anything. 

1 know you buve certain feelings for Aurelia now, but that’s just novelty. We’re meant to be together.” 

Tough, Exieste Look at what you’ve done to my house! My voice was ice cold. “And I don’t love you!” 

hes Late werd bruthly rate, What? 

“There’s never been anything romantic between us. Because you saved my life, I see you as someone I’m indebted to.” I said without mercy. You once risked yourself to save me. I’m grateful. But gratitude isn’t love 

Take your things and leave my house.” I turned to go. ‘T’ll give you fifty million dollars. After that, we’re even.” 

in Hhe drive to the Fairmont etate, kept messaging Aurelia: 

I’m Coming to get you now? 

Sorry about the basement, I can explain 

bought you lots of presents. I got your mother’s brooch too.” 

stroy svstyling 

the 

shing Peng 

dbye today, the kasutad 

ically hd you la 

d 

ng the 

TIR, FED 5 

The Mafia’s Secret Captive 

I turned and left the ruins filled with wailing, ordering Owen: “Prepare the plane. We’re going to Belmont City. Right now. 

I had to get her back. Whatever the cost, I would take Aurelia back. 

I couldn’t bear to lose her. Even if it meant destroying the entire world, 1 would bring her back to my side.