the blake tower....
liviana blake walked in like she owned air.she didn't rush,smile.her heels echoing in the entire hallway like siren of warning .
she placed the folder at the head of the table -the seat that always belong to his son.
''i will be resuming the charges from now ,until my son is fine.each and every file goes through me .Is that clear to all?
no one questioned in return.
a few directors exchanged glances -but the truth was simply Mrs. blake was now the AUTHORITY.
SIGNATURES FOLLOWED.
ONE BY ONE
CONTROL SHIFTED WITHOUT NOISE
her phone buzzed softly .she glanced at the screen
funds tranferred.
she closed the file .satisfied .
''i won't let anyone near you aerin ''she whispered .
meanwhile her secretary interrupted,''mam we have meeting with our new investors''
she nods and walked to the conference room
she sat the head table ,spine straight,expression unreadable.this was the routine .she had handled rooms like this her entire life.
''before we begin'',one of the senior partner said ''we'd like to introduce our new business partner''
the door opened
livian's figure stilled
tailored suit.calm posture.that neutral expression that gave nothing away
KAYDEN
and there she was highly surprised.
the man continued,''Mr.kayden has been acquiring important share in our subsidiaries''
''Mrs.Blake ,its a pleasure''he extended his hand
she didn't take it immediately.
''excuse me ?''she said coldly. this seat was not approved by me.''
''i don't need approval''he smiled.
polite.calculated.
livianna finally shook her hand ''then either you are very brave or very foolish''
''or very informed''he replied calmly,taking his seat.''I believe in knowing exactly where i invest''
her eyes narrowed''and what exactly interest you in our company?''
he leaned back slightly.''undervalued assets.hidden potential.stories people think are buried.''
the words landed heavier than they should have
liviana crossed her arms.''you are new money playing old games''
kayden gaze never left her'' and you're old power pretending nothing can touch you''
silence fell
one of the investors cleared his throat nervously''shall we begin'?''
her lips curved ''BY ALL MEANS''
but through the entire meeting her eyes never left her
who are you really? she wondered.
ishira's pov
Ishira woke to silence.
Not the suffocating silence of the Blake mansion—but the calm, unfamiliar quiet of Kayden’s house. Morning light slipped through the curtains, warm and gentle, brushing her face like a promise she didn’t trust anymore.
She pushed herself up slowly, one hand instinctively going to her stomach.
The baby was quiet today.
Kayden’s voice came from outside the room. “I’ll be back by soon. Don’t open the door for anyone.”
She nodded, managing a small smile. “Be careful.”
The door closed.
The house fell silent again.
Too silent.
the midnoon passed quietly .she moves to the kitchen ,though she lost her apettite but for her baby she had to eat.
her steps were so soft to be heard by anyone
as she was about to towards the kitchen , the entrance door banged ..shut behind her
her breath caught
but before she could turn ,a hard body pressed her back against the wall . one hand came down beside her to cage her .her heart stopped
AERIN.
His name slipped out before she could stop it.
He leaned in, eyes bloodshot, jaw clenched, breath uneven. He looked wrecked—hair disheveled, shirt half-buttoned, pain etched into every sharp line of his face.
“Don’t say my name like that,” he slurred softly. “Like you know me.”
Her hands trembled as she pressed them flat against his chest, not pushing—just grounding herself. “You shouldn’t be here.”
He laughed—a low, broken sound. “Funny. I was thinking the same thing about you.”
His gaze dragged over her face, slow, conflicted. “Why do you look at me like I’m yours?”
Tears burned her eyes. “Because you were.”
His grip tightened against the door—not on her. Never on her. But close enough to make her flinch.
“I don’t remember touching you,” he whispered hoarsELY
She swallowed hard. “You’re drunk.”
“Yeah,” he admitted, forehead dropping to the door beside her head. “And sober me is even worse.”
She felt it then—the tremor in him. The confusion. The rage turned inward.
“I saw you last night,” he said quietly. “With him.”
Her chest ached. “He’s helping me.”
''oh I see, by playing husband''his hands tightening around her arms ,he spoke with pure rage '' first you were claiming me as your husband ,and now he is helping my forgotten wife''
Her jaw tightened. “He respects me. Something you’ve forgotten how to do.”
That did it.
Aerin laughed—sharp, bitter. “Respects you?”
His hand came up, gripping her wrist against the door. “Don’t lie to me. I see the way he looks at you.”
“He saved me when your mother threw me out,” she shot back. “He stood where you disappeared.”
The words hit him like a slap.
'' i am not your property, just leave ''she shouted.
Silence.
Then—pure, unfiltered jealousy.
His mouth crashed into hers.
Not once.
Again. And again.
Hard. Possessive. Messy.
Like he was trying to erase Kayden’s existence with every kiss.
Ishira hit his chest. “Stop—Aerin!”
But he didn’t.
His hands framed her face, thumb digging into her jaw as he kissed her deeper—angrier—breathing her in like she was oxygen and poison both.
She turned her face away, breath uneven. “You don’t get to claim me when you don’t even remember loving me.”
That broke something.
He froze.
Pulled back slowly.
Jealousy faded—replaced by confusion, fear… and guilt.He stepped away like he’d crossed a line he couldn’t uncross.
“Stay away from Kayden,” he said finally, voice rough. “Because if I see him touch you again… I won’t be this controlled.”
He walked out before she could answer.
Ishira stood there trembling.
Because the kiss wasn’t about desire
Aerin pulled the door open—
Boom.
Kayden stood right there.
Still in his work suit. Calm. Alert. Eyes instantly scanning Ishira behind Aerin—disheveled, shaken, lips red.
Silence hit like a gunshot.
Aerin’s jaw tightened. “Move.”
Kayden didn’t.
Instead, he stepped forward slightly, placing himself between Aerin and the door frame—between him and Ishira.
“You’re drunk,” Kayden said evenly. “And you shouldn’t be here.”
Aerin laughed under his breath. “who are you , is she your wife ,oh don't act like her husband.”
Kayden’s eyes darkened. “Then why not ,you act like her husband, who deserves to stand near her.”
That did it.
Aerin shoved him—hard.
Kayden didn’t stumble.
He grabbed Aerin’s collar in one swift move and slammed him back against the wall outside.
“You don’t touch her like that again,” Kayden said quietly. Too quietly.
“Not in anger. Not in jealousy. Not because you’re broken and don’t know how to deal with it.”
Ishira rushed forward. “Stop—both of you!”
Aerin’s gaze flicked to her—raw, unhinged.
“So it’s true,” he spat. “You let him play protector now?”
Kayden didn’t look at her. He kept his eyes locked on Aerin.
“She didn’t let me,” he said. “She needed someone. You weren’t there.
Aerin yanked himself free, chest heaving.
“You think this ends with you?” he sneered at Kayden. “You think I’ll walk away?”
Kayden stepped aside—opening the door behind him.
“I’m not asking you to walk away,” he said.
“I’m warning you—next time, I won’t stop at words.”
Aerin looked at Ishira one last time.
She didn’t chase him.
Didn’t speak.
Aerin reached his car, fingers shaking as he unlocked it.
He didn’t get in.
“Running won’t help.”
Aerin froze.
Kayden stood a few steps away, hands in his pockets, voice steady—not angry. Certain.
Aerin turned slowly. “Get out of my way.”
Kayden shook his head once. “You’re doing it again.”
“Doing what?”
“Running—every time something feels real.”
Aerin let out a bitter laugh. “I don’t remember her. i don't know the truth.”
Kayden took a step closer.
“No,” he said quietly.
“then why not find it yourself.”
Aerin’s eyes snapped up.
“You keep saying you don’t remember her,” Kayden continued, gaze unwavering.
“But tell me something—”
He paused. Let it sink in.
“If you don’t remember her…
then why don’t you start with what you do remember?”
Aerin’s jaw clenched.
“You remember pain,” Kayden said.
“Anger. Loss. Control. The man you were before the accident.”
His voice lowered. “So ask yourself—why does she fit into all of it?”
Silence stretched.
Aerin’s chest tightened, images flashing uninvited—
an empty chair at breakfast,
a scent he couldn’t name,
hands adjusting his cufflinks.
“I don’t remember loving her,” Aerin said hoarsely.
Kayden didn’t flinch.
“You don’t have to,” he replied.
“But you remember enough to be jealous.
Enough to follow her.
Enough to lose control when you see her with someone else.”
He stepped back, giving space.
“That doesn’t come from nothing.”
Aerin looked away, gripping the car door.
Kayden’s final words landed like a verdict:
“Stop running.
Find the truth—before it destroys all .”
He turned and walked away.
Aerin stayed there long after.
Alone.
With one thought echoing louder than the rest—
''why don't you find the truth yourself''?
''why dont you start with what you remember''?
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