Chapter 1
Forget about her. Focus on aliaging the engagement with Serena. Elara Sterling… I’ll handle her.”
“Imagine the scandal–your stepsister, desperate for you, sneaking into your bed night after night.”
“If that affair ever came to light at the engagement party, how could she face anyone?”
“If she crawls to me for forgiveness, I can place her somewhere else. My secret plaything, punished for life.”
Matteo’s tone softened. “Even if her mother wronged you, Elara was just a kid. How is that her fault?”
“She barely turned eighteen. She’s never touched the family business, never fired a gun. She doesn’t understand a thing.”
“Isn’t this going too far? Torturing her like this?”
“She’s in love with you, everyone can see it. The truth would crush her completely.”
Kael exhaled sharply, clenching his jaw as he raked a hand through his hair. A shadow of guilt flashed across his face, quickly hidden. He flicked a lighter nervously.
“So what?” he barked. “Don’t lecture me on innocence. Was it innocent when that woman took my mother’s husband and left her
broken?”
“Her only crime was being her daughter.”
“If she were truly innocent, she wouldn’t have come to my bed six years ago. She chose this.”
Matteo exhaled, one last attempt. “Maybe, but six years together… and you feel nothing? Kael, some actions can never be erased.”
Kael’s expression hardened. “Fall for my enemy’s daughter? Do you think me that foolish?”
“She may be tempting, but she’s still a sinner’s child. I know my moves perfectly.”
“Once I avenge my mother, she’ll be gone from my life for good.”
Matteo gave up. I heard him rise, footsteps approaching. Panic surged, and I stumbled back, clutching my stomach. A vase toppled and shattered on the marble.
Crash!
Matteo swung the door open. Shock and pity flooded his gaze as he spotted me.
Kael appeared instantly, panic crossing his face at the broken porcelain and my trembling form. He hurried to steady me.
“Elara? What are you doing here? When did you get in?”
I attempted a smile, but it broke into tears. “I just arrived. I wanted to surprise you, but I tripped.”
Believing it was just my accident, he drew me close with a condescending smile, signaling his men to clean up while he guided me into his study.
As soon as the door shut, he pressed me against it, his heat colliding with my skin, and a wave of nausea swept over me.
“I’ve told you countless times, you don’t need gifts. Elara, your presence is enough.”
“You must be exhausted. Rest here for a while. I’ll take you home once I finish my business.”
He bent to kiss my forehead gently. Each gesture echoed the tenderness of six years, but I felt nothing.
14:30
My Fiancé and Best Friend Tr
Chapter 1
I realized he was a masterful actor.
Memories of that rainy night returned. Shortly after arriving at the Vex estate, I had fled, feeling trapped. In a dark alley, rivals
surrounded me, and I shook in terror.
Kael emerged from the shadows like a savior. With swift precision, he held them at gunpoint, then removed his jacket and draped it
over me, shielding me from the cold.
Though his arm bled, he murmured softly, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here. No one will hurt you.”
In that instant, I trusted him. He was my savior. I surrendered to the comforting illusion he had built.
I had no idea my savior was also my tormentor. He was the one who had engineered my suffering.
While he busied himself with business, I sent a coded message to my mother.
“Mom, I need to get out of here.”
“Keep it secret for now.”
