Daniel's POV
I woke that morning with a weight pressing against me—a mix of frustration and confusion. LastnightIhadcaughthertryingtorun. Injured, shaken. And instead of fury, I had carried her inside and tended to her wounds.
I should have said something, demanded an explanation. But I hadn't. I had acted as though I hadn't realized what she was doing.
I gripped the counter, meeting my own reflection in the mirror. Mara Kensington was supposed to be my revenge. Nothing more.
Yet somehow, she was slipping under my guard.
I forced the thought away, dressed, and called my lawyer to notify him the wedding would be delayed.
On my way down, I slowed near Mara's door. A part of me wanted to check on her, just to be sure she was alright, but I dismissed the thought. Then the door opened, and Grace stepped out.
"Good morning, Mr. Voss." She greeted me with a polite bow.
"Morning," I replied.
Inside, Mara still propped up in bed. Her brown hair was a tangle, her eyes heavy with sleep, the white sheets gathered at her knees. She clutched them higher when she noticed me.
"Good morning… thank you… for last night," she murmured, avoiding my gaze. Her voice carried guilt and embarrassment.
For a moment, I said nothing, just watching her. In the pale morning light, she looked fragile. But I couldn't let myself forget. These last few days I had been careless. I had driven her shopping, allowed her to plant in my mother's garden. I had mistaken them for progress. When in truth, she had been waiting for her chance.
I wouldn't make the same mistake again.
"How are you feeling?" I asked evenly. "A doctor will stop by later to check your injuries. The wedding has been pushed further."
She nodded, fingers fidgeting with the sheets. "Okay."
I turned away. Outside, I instructed Selene to keep an eye on her and make sure she didn't leave her room. Selene gave a brisk nod and walked back inside.
On the drive to work, her sleepy face replayed over and over. The way she had looked at me, as though unsure whether to thank me or fear me. And that flimsy blue chemise—far too flimsy. I pressed my lips into a thin line, forcing my attention back to the phone in my hand.
On arriving at Voss Capital, Alyssa hurried up to me, her expression tight. "Mr. Voss, good morning. Mr. Kingston is in your office. I tried to tell him you weren't in yet, but he wouldn't listen."
Inside, as expected, Kingston lounged on the sofa, straightening when I entered.
"Mr. Voss."
"Kingston." My tone was clipped. "What brings you to my office uninvited?"
He leaned back on the sofa, unbothered. "Come now, Daniel. Don't be so rigid. I only wanted to see how my favorite rival was doing. I heard you were getting married."
My jaw tightened, though my expression remained unreadable. Of course Kingston had heard. The man had a habit of sniffing out things simply to prove he could.
"You spend too much time on gossip, Kingston. Maybe that's why Voss Capital has outpaced your firm for three quarters straight."
His smile thinned, but he didn't look away. "Markets shift fast. One mistake, one scandal, and even empires stumble."
"Then worry about your empire, not mine." My tone was sharp.
By the time Kingston finally left, I was already behind schedule. Meetings blurred together, documents demanded my attention, but none of it mattered enough to distract me completely. My focus slipped more than once—back to the image of Mara's face in the morning light. With a sharp breath, I straightened the papers before me and forced myself into order.
When evening came, I left the city behind and returned to the estate, grateful for the quiet.
As I stepped inside and headed for the stairs, Miranda hurried towards me, smiling too brightly for my liking.
"Mr. Voss, welcome. What would you like for dinner?" she asked, her tone just a little too familiar.
I didn't slow my stride. "Speak with Selene."
"I---" she began, as though to press further.
Selene appeared, her calm voice cutting neatly through the air. "Miranda, come."
I glanced at Selene and gave a slight nod. She understood. Miranda was new. She hadn't yet learned the rules of this house. Selene would teach her.
She stepped away and followed Selene. Selene had been with my family for over twenty years. After what happened to us years ago, most of the staff had left—only she remained. She knew this house better than anyone, and I trusted her to set the tone.
At the top of the stairs, I heard hurried footsteps and a child's laughter outside.
Must be Rhea and her family.
I turned back, making my way downstairs just as the front doors opened.
A tiny figure barreled inside.
"Uncle!" Rielle shrieked, her pink dress bouncing as she flung herself at my legs.
I bent, lifting her easily. She wrapped her little arms around my neck, curls brushing my chin as she giggled uncontrollably. Her small fingers tugged curiously at my watch before clutching my collar.
Behind her came Ryan, a quieter, smaller version of Reynold.
"Hi, Uncle Daniel," he muttered with a shy smile.
Reynold followed, he gave me a firm handshake before stepping aside for his wife.
And then there was Rhea—the years hadn't changed her much. At thirty-three, she still carried the same youthful energy, though lines of responsibility touched her face now.
"Uncle! I missed you!" Rielle squealed again, hugging my neck.
I set her down gently. My gaze flicked upward, just in time to see Mara at the top of the stairs, watching. She froze when our eyes met, then turned sharply, limping away.
Rhea and her family didn't stay long. Once Reynold and the kids were settled in the car, I turned to her.
"I need you to be a witness at the courthouse. The wedding."
She frowned. "And what if I hadn't come to Lexington?"
"You're here now. That's what matters."
"I don't want to be involved in this. I want nothing to do with those people."
"Rhea." My voice was low, firm.
She exhaled sharply. "Fine. I'll come."