Dangerous temptation

Chapter 2

Ethan’s pov

Three years away from this cruel mansion, and yet it hadn’t changed. Same furniture. Same stale air. Same people pretending to care. I made sure my footsteps didn’t give me away as I slipped inside.

Arguments drifted from Daniel’s room. “Not my problem”. I said Minding my own business, I headed upstairs.

The guest room was dimly lit, just the way I liked it. I couldn’t say it was good to be back this place held too many dark memories but it would do for now

I stripped quickly, letting the hot water from the shower wash away more than just sweat. My mind replayed old ghosts, but sleep was a tempting reprieve. I layed on the bed trying to sleep.

A few minutes later I heard the door creaked open and someone walks in.my first thought was Daniel had found out about my arrival but then I heard sobs all I wanted was to sleep and she wasn't letting me so l pinned her to the bed.

I stared into her eyes all I saw was void and emptiness her eyes were swollen and red I could tell she's been crying for a while.

She looked really beautiful.the type of beauty men would kill for.how did this beauty end up with my complicated family?I asked myself

My fingers slowly explored parts of her body and landed on a scar it was about three inches I found it really attractive and I couldn't help but kiss it.

She was silent I could tell she liked it.although she tried to run twice.my fingers founded her lips they were swollen and bruised it looked like she was punched there.

I frowned why would someone want to ruin such beautiful face I got off her and left the room to grab a medical kit down the hall.

By the time I returned she had disappeared. I wondered who she was and how she was related to my family from what she wearing I doubted she was a maid here.

As I was about to close the door I heard whispers from the maid... master Daniel is beating up the young lady again"

“That marriage isn't going to last long I'm telling you”

Mara? Who was that and when did Daniel get married he can't even put his life together.

It was none of my business anyways but the wife name pulled me in I wanted to see who she was so l walked out of my room and went down the hallway

I could hear muffled scream as I walked closer.and then I saw my empty brained brother beating a woman.my eyes widened as I realized it was the woman on my bed just minutes ago.

I was about to intervene when they both passed out.i walked into the room and kicked Daniel off her. He didn't deserve such a beautiful girl like Mara.she married the wrong guy.

I scooped her into my arms and walked out.

The maids stopped in their tracks, eyes wide as I passed. I didn’t blame them no one expected me back, least of all carrying Daniel’s wife.

I placed Mara gently in the back seat and drove off toward the family hospital. The silence in the car was heavy, broken only by the sound of her shallow breathing.

Luckily, the doctor said her injuries were minor bruises, cuts, nothing life-threatening. Still, it was enough to make my blood boil.

It was already late, and I couldn’t leave her alone. So I stayed. I sat by the edge of the hospital bed, watching her sleep beneath the dim light.

Her face was peaceful now, almost fragile. It was hard to believe this was the same woman Daniel had hurt.

I kept wondering how she’d ended up with him how she’d ever looked at my brother and thought he was worth loving. Maybe she hadn’t. Maybe she never had a choice.

The thought stayed with me, heavy and unwelcome.

An arranged marriage, maybe. That sounded like him taking what he wanted, no matter the cost.

I leaned back in the chair, exhaustion creeping in. For the first time in years, this house, this family, had given me something I didn’t expect someone who made me feel something again.

My eyes grew heavy, and just before I drifted off.

It was the doctor’s knock that pulled me back the next morning. He stepped in, checked her vitals, mumbled something about rest, and left us alone in the ward.

A few minutes later, her brows twitched. Then her eyes fluttered open confused, glassy. She froze when she saw me sitting beside her, then pushed herself up fast.

“Where’s Daniel?” she asked, her voice cracking.

The sound of his name on her lips made my stomach turn.

“Relax,” I said flatly. “He’s not dead.”

Her lips parted like she wanted to ask more, but before she could, the door slammed open.

My mother stormed in. Her heels hit the tiled floor like gunshots, her face twisted with fury.

“You b***h!” she spat. “You almost killed my son!”

Mara flinched, shrinking back against the pillows.

stood up slowly, my jaw tight.

“Enough, Mother.”

She blinked twice, disbelief softening her anger for a heartbeat. “Ethan… is that really you?”

I didn’t answer. I just looked back at Mara—still pale, fragile, eyes darting between us.

“Take care of yourself,” I said quietly, then turned and walked out.

I could feel Mother’s glare burning into my back before she followed me into the hallway

You— you didn’t even say you were coming,” she snapped, heels clicking against the marble floor.

I didn’t respond. I wasn’t in the mood for small talk. All that mattered right now was Alicia’s well-being

“Can you believe that witch almost killed your brother?” she continued, voice sharp with judgment.

I stopped mid-step and turned my head just enough to meet her eyes.

“I wasn’t invited to his wedding,” I said flatly. “And I want nothing to do with it. Is that clear?”

She froze, taken aback by my tone, then nodded quickly. “Crystal.”

Without another word, she turned and disappeared down the corridor.

I exhaled, pulling out my phone. The air in this hospital felt heavy, stale like it reeked of our family’s rot.

I called Marcel .

“Pick me up,” I said.

He arrived ten minutes later.

“Did something happen, boss?” Marcel asked, his face tight with concern.

“I need you to get all the information you can about Daniel’s wife,” I said, sinking into the seat.

He blinked. “He’s married?”

Marcel’s eyes widened he looked just as shocked as I’d been.

“Apparently,” I muttered, rubbing a hand down my face.

As we drove, I kept my gaze fixed on the passing streets. I’d spent the whole night watching a woman I didn’t even know. I hadn’t gotten a wink of sleep.

Daniel was a wreck unstable, reckless. So who in their right mind thought it was a good idea to give him a wife?

Something about her… pulled me in.

The thoughts that came when I looked at her were forbidden, unholy.

But I didn’t care.

Marcel dropped me off at the mansion. The moment I stepped inside, silence fell. Every pair of eyes turned toward me.

Grace almost choked on her tea. “E–Ethan,” she gasped, eyes wide.

I took my time scanning the room, letting the discomfort linger. My gaze stopped on Nicolas my cold, calculating uncle. Memories I’d buried clawed their way back to the surface, each one darker than the last.

His face twitched, confusion flickering behind his practiced calm.

Good. He should be scared.