Chapter 11 – The Woman Who Knows His Past
1092 Words
Elena followed Dominic out of the study, her hands trembling slightly.
Everything felt heavier now—his closeness, the silence of the mansion, the shadows along the hallway. She felt watched, even though she knew Dominic’s security was everywhere.
But the worst part wasn’t the danger outside.
It was the danger inside her chest.
Dominic slowed his steps when he noticed she was quiet.
“Elena,” he murmured, “talk to me.”
“I’m thinking,” she whispered.
“About leaving?”
She looked up. “Do you want me to leave?”
Dominic stopped walking.
His expression hardened instantly—sharp, possessive, unmovable.
“No,” he said. “I don’t.”
Her breath caught.
Before she could respond, a soft voice echoed from the end of the hall:
“Dominic?”
Elena turned.
A stunning woman stood there—long honey-blonde hair, eyes sharp blue, wearing a fitted silk dress that looked expensive even in this mansion.
Dominic’s entire body tensed.
“Valeria,” he said, voice suddenly cold.
Elena blinked.
Valeria.
The name felt familiar.
One of the rumors Camila mentioned.
Valeria walked toward them slowly, her heels tapping delicately against the marble. She smiled sweetly at Elena, then turned her eyes to Dominic.
“You didn’t tell me you were back,” she said softly.
“I didn’t tell anyone,” Dominic replied.
“I’ve missed seeing you around the estate,” she murmured.
Dominic didn’t answer.
Valeria’s gaze slid to Elena. “And who is this?”
“Elena Hayes,” Dominic said shortly.
Valeria gave Elena a slow, assessing look. “Pretty. Very pretty.”
Her smile turned curious. “She’s living here?”
Dominic didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”
Valeria raised a brow, amused. “So she’s the new one.”
Elena stiffened. “The new what?”
Valeria tilted her head, expression gentle but sharp. “Dominic’s new… distraction.”
Dominic’s voice turned dangerous instantly. “Valeria.”
“What?” she asked innocently. “It’s not an insult. It happens. A few weeks here, a few weeks there—”
“Enough.”
Valeria ignored him and stepped closer to Elena.
“Elena, dear,” she said softly, “don’t get too comfortable. Dominic has a way of pulling girls close when they’re in fear or trouble. It’s a weakness of his. But when the danger goes away… so does his attention.”
Elena felt her chest tighten painfully.
Dominic took a step forward, eyes blazing. “Valeria. Walk away.”
But Valeria wasn’t finished.
“You’re sweet,” she continued to Elena. “I can see why he likes you. But sweet things don’t last here. Women like you don’t last here.”
Elena’s throat tightened.
Dominic moved faster than Elena could blink.
He grabbed Valeria’s wrist—not hurting her, but stopping her completely.
“Don’t speak to her again,” Dominic said, voice low.
Valeria smiled faintly. “You’re protecting her.”
Dominic’s jaw tightened. “I’m warning you.”
Valeria looked at their hands—Dominic holding her wrist, Elena standing behind him—and she seemed almost entertained.
“Oh, Dominic,” she whispered. “It’s been years, and you still get attached in the same way.”
Dominic released her abruptly. “Leave.”
Valeria offered Elena one last look—something between pity and cruel curiosity—then turned and walked away, hips swaying deliberately.
The moment she disappeared around the corner, Dominic exhaled harshly, running a hand through his hair.
“Elena—”
“She said you do this often,” Elena whispered.
“Protect women. Keep them close. Then push them away.”
Dominic turned to her immediately. “That’s not true.”
“But she sounded like she knew.”
“She doesn’t know anything,” he growled.
Elena swallowed. “Dominic… is she someone from your past?”
He hesitated—too long.
“Dominic?” she asked softly.
He looked away. “She was a mistake.”
“A mistake that still lives in your mansion?”
“She lives in the guest villa on the property,” he corrected sharply. “Not with me.”
“But she clearly has history with you,” Elena said, voice weaker than she intended.
His eyes softened. “Elena.”
She shook her head. “And she thinks I’m temporary.”
Dominic stepped closer, his voice low and steady.
“You’re not temporary.”
Her breath trembled. “Then what am I?”
Dominic didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he lifted a hand and traced a slow line along her jaw with his thumb, his touch achingly gentle.
“Elena…”
His voice dropped into something deeper.
“…you’re the only person who has ever made me lose control without even trying.”
Her heart flipped painfully.
Dominic leaned in just slightly, his forehead almost touching hers.
“You’re not a distraction,” he whispered. “You’re the reason I can’t think straight.”
Elena swallowed. “But Valeria—”
Dominic cut her off.
“She’s nothing to me. But you—”
He exhaled shakily.
“—you matter in ways I can’t explain.”
Her pulse raced.
Dominic forced himself to step back a little, as if to stop himself from doing something reckless.
“We’re done talking about her,” he said softly. “From now on, if someone from my past tries to shake you… come to me instead.”
Elena looked up slowly.
“Why?”
His answer was simple.
“Because there’s no one else I want you to listen to.”
Before Elena could respond, another guard rushed in.
“Boss! We found Nathan!”
Dominic froze.
Elena felt the world tilt.
“Where?” Dominic asked.
“In the forest behind the east wall,” the guard said. “He’s trying to escape the property.”
Dominic turned to Elena, eyes dark with fury and something deeper—
Fear for her.
“Elena,” he whispered, “stay in your room. Do not leave until I come back.”
Her heart thudded. “Dominic—”
He brushed her cheek with his thumb, voice low and urgent.
“I’ll bring him in,” he promised. “And no matter what he says, I won’t let him near you.”
Then Dominic turned and stormed out with his men.
Leaving Elena trembling in the hallway...
Wondering what ugly truth her cousin was about to reveal—
and whether Dominic could handle hearing it.
- Writer
