Shadows beneath the vows

Chapter 5: The Truth Cracks

The Cross house was too quiet. The halls felt like they were holding their breath. The silence was heavy, like something waiting to break. Isla felt it pressing on her chest. She hasn’t talked to Adrian since last night. Not after she heard him on the phone. His voice was low and sharp. “If Damian tries, finish him.” Her own brother. A death order Every time Adrian walked in now, her stomach turned. He didn’t ask her about Damian, but his eyes looked like he already knew. That morning, someone knocked on her door. Breakfast, the maid said.The tray had food, croissants, fruit – everything nice. But under the napkin was a folded paper. Her hand shook when she opened it. He’s watching. Midnight. Greenhouse. Come alone. Damian. Her heart jumped too fast. She hid the note in her pocket. Then the door opened. Adrian stood there wearing a black suit. His eyes were cold. You didn’t eat, he said. “I’m not hungry.” He came close, picked a strawberry, and held it to her lips. “Eat.” She froze. He lifted his brow. Warning. She opened her mouth. Sweet on her tongue, but her throat dry. His thumb touched her lips and wiped the juice slowly. 'Good girl,' he said softly. Her face burnt. She hated the way it made her feel. Then his voice went cold again. “Tonight, there’s an event. You’re coming to the “event”? she asked. The Santorini Foundation dinner. My family will be there. Damian too. You’ll play the part of my fiancée.” His breath touched her ear. “And you won’t give him a single reason to think he can reach you.” Her blood ran cold. Did he know about the note? Adrian left the room like nothing was wrong. But Isla’s chest wouldn’t stop pounding. Night was slow. She stood in the mirror in the silver dress he chose. Diamonds at her neck. They felt like chains. She didn’t even look like herself anymore. Adrian came behind her and fixed the clasp. Looked at her in the glass. “You look like temptation,” he said. “And you look like the devil,” she whispered. For a second he almost smiled. Then gone. His hand pressed her waist. Let’s go. The gallery was full of rich people. Lights, paintings, champagne. Everyone stared. But she only saw him. Damian. He was standing by the wall. His eyes met hers. Midnight. Don’t forget. Her chest pulled tight. Adrian’s hand gripped her arm harder. “Eyes on me,” he whispered.Dinner passed in a blur. Vanessa leaned close, fake smile. “Pretty girl. But is she strong enough for your family?” Adrian’s thumb pressed her thigh. She’s stronger than you’ll ever be. That’s why she’s mine.Everyone laughed. Isla smiled fake. Inside, she wanted to cry. Back at the estate, it was close to midnight.Adrian left for a phone call. Isla took her chance. She slipped out, moving fast and quietly through the halls. The greenhouse glowed under the moon. She opened the door. The smell of flowers wrapped around her. Damian stepped from the shadows. 'You came,' he said. His smile was sharp, but his eyes softened for her. “You shouldn’t be here,” she whispered. Neither should you. He came closer. “Adrian is scared of losing you. That’s why he’s pulling tighter. She shook her head. What do you want, Damian?“ 'The truth', he said. Adrian isn’t protecting you. He’s using you. He always has. She shook. “And you’re not?”His face softened for a second, then hardened again. “I’d burn the world for you. He’d burn you for the world.Before she could answer, a voice cut through. Nice speech, brother. Adrian. He stepped in. Dark, calm, deadly. His eyes hit her, then Damian. I told you. Stay away from her. Damian smirked. She’s not yours. The air turned heavy. Two brothers, one war. And Isla was stuck in the middle, knowing the storm had started. The air in the greenhouse was heavy. Hot. Hard to breathe. Isla stood between them. Adrian on one side. Damian on the other. Both staring like she was the problem. Or the prize. Adrian spoke first. You think you can steal from me here? Damian laughed, but his hands were fists. “Steal? You've been stealing my whole life. Family. Respect. Even now. Adrian shook his head, a hard laugh. Respect? You lost it long ago. Damian stepped close. “And you think Isla doesn’t see the blood on you?” Isla’s chest hurt. They turned, both looking at her. Like they forgot she was there until now. Adrian’s voice went soft. “Go to your room.” Damian said, 'No.' She stays. She needs to know. Her voice cracked. “Know what?” Her throat closed. “Know what?” No one answered. She shouted, “Tell me!” Adrian’s jaw tightened. Not your fight. Damian: It’s only her fight. Tell her who she is. The words hit her chest hard. “What? Damian laughed. See? He dresses you up but won’t tell you the truth. He can’t. If he does—” Enough!Adrian roared. Damian didn’t stop. “She doesn’t know about the necklace. The sapphire. The one you hide.” Isla froze. The necklace. The one she had dreamed, drawn. Her voice cracked. “What does that mean? What’s it to me?” 'No more riddles,' she begged. “Tell me the truth.” Adrian’s voice was low. “Isla Tell her!” Damian yelled. “It was Father’s. His last thing before he was killed.” Killed. Not an accident. They slammed each other into glass. Fists. Blood. “Stop!” Isla screamed. She grabbed Adrian’s arm. “Stop, please!” Adrian looked at her, only for a second, and Damian shoved him into the wall. Then, Glass shattered. A gunshot. The panel exploded. Shards rained down, cutting light and skin. Isla screamed, Damian stumbled, blood streaking his temple. Footsteps pounded outside. Running. Adrian wrapped her tight in his arms, covering her body with his. His voice roared in her ear. “Get down!” The air reeked of gunpowder. When Isla looked up, Damian was gone. The panel swung open to the night.Adrian held her close, heart racing like thunder. His voice was low and ragged. “He’s not taking you. Not him. Not anyone.” Her voice broke against his chest. “What aren’t you telling me?” He looked down at her, mask slipping. His hands shook against her. His whisper cut deep. “Because, Isla, you were never supposed to know.” Her world spun. Her breath was gone. Before she could speak, his mouth crashed against hers. Hard. Desperate. Like he was kissing away the truth. When he pulled back, his forehead pressed to hers. “Trust me,” he rasped. But Isla couldn’t. Not anymore. And somewhere outside, Damian’s laughter echoed. Dark. Promising. The war had started.