His Forbidden Touch

Chapter 20 : Daniel’s Suspicion

The morning light crept through the curtains of Elena’s apartment, painting the room in soft gold. She sat at the edge of her bed, fingers tangled in her hair, staring at nothing. Sleep had evaded her. Every time she closed her eyes, she felt Adrian’s hands, Adrian’s lips… Adrian’s voice claiming her as his.

And then came Daniel’s face, warm and familiar. Loyal. Trusting. The guilt cut sharper than any knife.

“Elena?” Daniel’s voice broke into her thoughts as the door clicked open. He stepped inside with two steaming mugs of coffee, his smile gentle as always. But there was something different in his eyes something searching.

“You’re up early,” he said softly, setting the mugs on the nightstand. He leaned down to kiss her cheek, but she stiffened ever so slightly.

Daniel noticed.

He pulled back, his smile faltering. “Everything okay?”

“Yes. Just… tired.” Elena forced a small smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Her voice cracked just enough to betray her.

Daniel sat beside her, studying her carefully. He wasn’t blind he had loved Elena long enough to know when something was wrong. Her silence, her averted eyes, the way she hugged herself… it wasn’t just exhaustion.

“You’ve seemed… distant lately,” he said carefully, his tone gentle but laced with unease. “Is it work? Your boss? He’s been giving you trouble, hasn’t he?”

At the mention of Adrian, Elena’s heart skipped. She swallowed hard, forcing her voice steady. “It’s just the workload. Adrian expects a lot, that’s all.”

Daniel reached for her hand, his thumb brushing circles against her skin. “You know you can talk to me, right? About anything?”

Her chest tightened painfully. He was so good to her, so patient. And here she was, sitting beside him with the taste of another man still lingering on her lips.

“I know,” she whispered, her throat burning.

Daniel’s gaze lingered on her face, searching for answers she couldn’t give. His gut twisted with unease, but he forced himself to smile, pulling her into his arms. “I just don’t want to lose you, Elena.”

Her breath caught as she buried her face against his chest, tears pricking her eyes.

“You won’t,” she lied, the words bitter on her tongue.

But deep down, she feared Daniel already had.