Warmth.
Aurelia clung to it as consciousness slowly returned — a sensation so foreign it nearly frightened her. A bed softer than clouds cradled her, and the faint scent of cedar and smoke wrapped around her like a protective shield.
Ethan.
He sat beside her again — awake this time — elbow resting on his knee, eyes fixed on her with an unreadable intensity.
"You're staring," she whispered.
His jaw flexed. "I'm making sure you're still breathing."
Her heart fluttered.
"I'm fine," she lied.
"No," he said flatly. "You're not."
He reached out, brushing a thumb across the faint bruise on her temple. The touch was careful… reverent.
Aurelia swallowed hard.
"Why are you doing this?" she breathed. "I'm just a problem for you."
Ethan leaned in, voice nearly a growl.
"You're not a problem. You're a priority."
Her chest tightened. She didn't know how to handle words like that.
Ethan stood suddenly, pacing as though the walls were knives.
"When I saw them take you—" He inhaled sharply. "I lost control."
She tried to sit up; pain lanced through her side. He was instantly there, steadying her.
"Easy," he murmured.
"How long have I been here?" she asked.
"Since last night," he answered. "You blacked out when that guard attacked you. I—" His voice tightened. "If I had been even a second slower…"
The thought tore him apart.
She didn't need him to finish.
Aurelia hesitated, then softly placed her hand over his.
"I'm here," she whispered.
He looked down… and something shattered inside him.
________________________________________
A knock interrupted the fragile quiet.
Ethan's gaze sharpened — instantly protective again.
"Come in," he snapped.
The door opened, revealing Dr. Elena Ruiz — a poised woman with sharp eyes that scanned Aurelia clinically.
"You're very lucky," the doctor said as she checked vitals. "The stun caused mild trauma, but nothing permanent. She needs rest. And care."
"I'll handle that," Ethan replied.
The doctor raised a brow at his possessive tone. "She needs a professional environment—"
"She stays here," Ethan cut in.
Dr. Ruiz sighed. "Fine. But someone must monitor her at all times."
He didn't even need to answer.
It was obvious who that someone would be.
As the doctor exited, leaving them alone again, Aurelia exhaled shakily.
"You don't have to give up your time for me."
Ethan's gaze softened — dangerously.
"Time spent keeping you alive is time well spent."
Her stomach flipped.
________________________________________
Hours passed in a quiet truce.
Aurelia slept again, and when she woke, Ethan was working nearby — sleeves rolled up, hair slightly mussed, tension carved into his posture.
He looked… tired.
She watched him for a long moment.
"You didn't sleep," she murmured.
He glanced over, caught. "I didn't want to risk you waking up alone."
Her heart ached — painfully sweet.
She pushed back the covers, standing carefully despite the ache in her ribs.
Ethan was instantly at her side.
"What are you doing?"
"I need to walk," she said. "My legs feel like jelly."
He hovered, ready to catch her at any second — a silent guardian.
They made it to the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The city stretched below them — glittering, unbothered by the battles happening above.
Aurelia spoke quietly:
"You saved me."
Ethan turned fully toward her.
"I will always save you."
Her pulse stumbled.
"You don't know everything about me," she whispered. "What if your father is right? What if trusting me destroys you?"
Ethan stepped closer — each inch obliterating distance.
"Then it's a risk I take willingly."
Her breath faltered.
"You shouldn't care about me."
His eyes dropped to her lips — desire tightening his control.
"I don't care about you, angel," he murmured.
Her heart sank.
Until he finished:
"I crave you."
Electricity scorched the air between them.
Before either could move —
The door burst open.
"Ethan!" a voice cried.
A stunning woman rushes in — tall, raven-haired, dressed in a red gown that belonged on a magazine cover. Confidence and familiarity poured off her.
Aurelia froze.
Who… was she?
She stepped toward Ethan, touching his shoulder like she owned it.
"I came the moment I heard—"
Ethan gently, but firmly, removed her hand.
"Mara. Now isn't the time."
Mara's perfect smile thinned as she finally noticed Aurelia standing beside him wearing nothing but his shirt.
"Oh," she said coolly.
"I see the rumors were true."
Aurelia's cheeks burned crimson.
She stepped back, discomfort crawling under her skin.
Mara crossed her arms, assessing Aurelia like cheap fabric.
"This is what has everyone panicking?" she scoffed. "A replacement for your last toy?"
Ethan's voice cut like a blade.
"Watch your mouth."
Mara blinked, stunned he defended Aurelia so sharply.
"I'm just concerned," she continued. "Father Kane called me. He thinks she's a liability. And frankly—"
"Mara," Ethan interrupted, voice a death sentence, "if you speak about her again as if she's not in the room, I will remove you from this house permanently."
Mara's lips parted at the warning.
Aurelia's heart slammed painfully.
Not at the possessive threat…
But at the way he looked at her when he said it.
Not as a burden.
As someone he would protect at any cost.
Mara regained her composure, but bitterness slipped through.
"Very well," she said stiffly. "I'll be in the lounge if you decide to think rationally."
She stalked out.
Silence clung to the air.
Aurelia stared at the floor.
"She's right," she whispered.
Ethan's brows drew together. "About what?"
"That I'm a liability," Aurelia said, voice breaking slightly. "I'm ruining your relationships. Your company. Your life."
Ethan stepped close again, hand rising to her cheek.
"You are the only part of my life that feels real."
Tears stung her lashes.
"You don't know what you're risking," she said.
His thumb brushed away a tear before it could fall.
"Then educate me. Tell me what you're so afraid of."
Aurelia trembled.
Lucas's accusations echoed like poison.
The truth she didn't want to face.
"My father… I think he really did steal," she whispered, shame cutting deep. "I think he used me to do it."
Ethan's expression softened — but not with pity.
With fury.
Not at her — at the world that hurt her.
"You were a child," he said. "You trusted your father. That is not a crime."
Her throat tightened.
"But the evidence—"
"Then we change the evidence."
She blinked up at him.
"That's… illegal."
Ethan's lips curved — dark amusement.
"Sweetheart," he murmured, stepping even closer, "I am already far past legal."
Her breath tangled.
________________________________________
Aurelia turned to sit again — dizzy — but a piece of paper slipped from the shirt pocket.
She hadn't noticed it before.
Ethan frowned, picking it up.
A handwritten note.
Her breath caught at the familiar scrawl.
Her father's handwriting.
She grabbed it, unfolding with trembling fingers.
If anything happens to me, find the White Vault.
Trust no Kane.
— Dad
Aurelia's world tilted.
Ethan read over her shoulder — eyes narrowing.
"What is the White Vault?" he asked.
"I don't—I've never seen this before," she stammered. "But if my father hid something, it must be proof he was innocent."
Ethan's mind raced — a storm behind his gaze.
"This changes everything," he murmured.
He cupped her face, intensity pouring through his touch.
"We're going to find that vault," he promised. "And we will clear your name."
Her breath shook.
"We?"
Ethan's gaze locked with hers — steady, unbreakable.
"I'm not leaving you," he said. "Not now. Not ever."
Her knees felt weak.
He lifted her chin, voice dropping to a whisper that burned:
"Stay with me."
Aurelia's eyes fluttered shut.
"I'll stay," she breathed.
When she opened them again, Ethan was already leaning down — his mouth meeting hers in a slow, devastating kiss…
A kiss that sealed fate.
A promise.
A claim.
A beginning.
________________________________________
But fate never slept.
Downstairs, Mara pressed a phone to her ear — rage simmering.
"Yes, Mr. Kane," she said tightly. "He's completely blind to her."
A pause.
Then a cold command crackled through the speaker:
"Good. Then we move to the next phase."
Mara's lips curved into a cruel smile.
"Consider it done."
She hung up…
Eyes full of fire.
Because if Ethan chose Aurelia over her?
Then Aurelia's life…
was over.
________________________________________
END OF CHAPTER 11