Daniel's POV
"Tell him he has a grace period of two days. I will not entertain any excuses after that. Ensure my message is delivered direct and clear." My voice was sharp with anger as I spoke into the phone, adjusting my tie.
"Understood, Mr. Voss. I'll make sure Mr. Quince gets the message," Alyssa replied quickly.
I ended the call, jaw tight. Quince was one of Voss Capital's long-standing partners, but he was pushing his limits, testing my patience. He was the kind of man who thought connections could outweigh obligations.
Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I straightened my tie and shrugged my jacket over my shoulders. Then I headed downstairs for breakfast. The dining table always felt too large, too empty. The last time it had hosted a true family meal was years ago before my father's death. Since Mara moved in, we only ever shared dinner. Breakfast remained mine alone, while she preferred eating in her room.
"Good morning, Mr. Voss. Breakfast will be served shortly." Grace bowed politely.
I gave a curt nod.
She left quickly, disappearing into the kitchen.
I sat down, but then paused. A sound drifted from the kitchen. A laugh. Hers. Mara's. It was the first time I had heard it—light, pure, unrestrained. She and Selene again. They were like mother and daughter. The two of them had grown close these past weeks. It didn't bother me. If anything, I was relieved she had found someone she could talk to.
Moments later, I heard footsteps. Mara appeared with a tray in her hands, halting when she saw me. She looked surprised, almost caught. Her hair was tousled, soft pillow creases still faint on her skin. This morning, she wore lilac silk pajamas, not the flimsy little chemise she sometimes favored.
Disappointment flickered inside me, uninvited. My mind betrayed me, recalling the moment after she'd gone swimming. Her robe slipping open, revealing smooth skin above her breasts. It was too vivid.
I forced the thought away. What the hell was wrong with me? Maybe it was simply because I hadn't been with a woman in too long. It had to be lack of proximity, nothing more.
"Good morning," she said softly, offering a small smile. Embarrassment flickered across her face as she noticed my gaze. She probably thought I was staring because she looked… slightly messy from sleep. But that wasn't it at all.
"Come sit. You should have breakfast here from now on. That's why this dining table exists." My tone was lighter than usual, almost…friendly.
She hesitated, fidgeting with the hem of her lilac silk pajama top, then crossed the room towards me. Grace and Miranda hurried in with the food—my usual black coffee, scrambled eggs, a slice of toast. Simple. Just the way I liked it.
Mara's portion was different: warm bread rolls, butter, fresh fruit. She ate slowly, eyes flickering to mine often before drifting away. She looked like she wanted to speak but was still weighing the risk.
"Go on," I said. "Speak."
She blinked, twisting her napkin. "Um… I was wondering if I could have someone over. My sister, Darcy."
I frowned at the thought. Another person in this house wasn't appealing. But I found myself nodding anyway. "Fine. Just notify me beforehand—a day at most."
Her eyes lit up. "Thank you." Genuine gratitude softened her eyes.
We finished the rest of breakfast in silence until I remembered the upcoming engagement. "You'll accompany me to an event in two days. It's a charity gala. Everyone important will be there."
Her green eyes flickered to mine. "Okay…I'll accompany you."
Before I could stop myself, I asked, "Is lilac your favorite colour?"
She looked startled, but smiled faintly. "It's one of my favorites. I like red too."
Strange. Normally, I'd just send someone to buy whatever looked presentable. Yet here I was, asking her preference. "I'll get you a dress for the event."
I made a mental note: red. She looked striking in red. Not that it mattered. It wasn't for her—it was for me. I needed her polished for show. To show everyone she was Mrs. Voss. That's all.
Breakfast ended and I rose first. She remained seated, pushing a piece of fruit around her plate.
She glanced up at me, her green eyes lighting as she offered a small smile. "Have a nice day at work."
Something melted in me but I quickly brushed it off.
"Thank you." I replied flatly, then left for work.
Outside these walls, I had no time for softness. Years ago, everything I knew had collapsed. From those ruins, I built Voss Capital with my own hands. There, I was ruthless. There, I was merciless. There, I remembered why I wanted revenge.
But in this house, with Mara sitting at my table, her laughter echoing faintly from the kitchen, I found myself… forgetting. She was starting to chip away at the steel that held everything together.
But I couldn't allow it. I would forge the steel even harder.