Chapter13:Shadows of the Past
645 Words
But inside, fury ignited.
They knew where she was.
The facade was cracking.
And tomorrow’s rehearsal dinner wasn’t just a ceremony, it was the perfect stage for whatever came next.
....................
Austin sat in his dim office, files from his father’s safe spread across the desk—receipts, coded transfers, a shipment manifest labeled "experimental compounds." His parents had always been cold, controlling. Now he saw the blood behind the polish.
Selene was safe, hidden far away, but every hour felt borrowed. The wedding illusion had to be held, rehearsal tomorrow, ceremony soon—while he hunted for the truth.
A knock. Diana entered, lavender dress clinging softly, holding invitation proofs. She placed them down, lingering at the desk's edge.
“The guest list is locked,” she said, voice quieter than usual, almost excited “Everything looks… perfect.”
Austin glanced up. Her eyes held his longer than necessary—soft, almost searching.
“Good,” he replied, neutral. “No changes.”
She didn’t leave. Instead, she stepped closer, fingers brushing the folder he was reading. “You’re tense,” she murmured. “Even for you.”
He closed the file. “Wedding prep does that.”
Her hand rested lightly on his arm. “Or something else.” Her thumb traced a slow circle—deliberate, warm. “You’ve been distant. I thought… Maybe we could talk. Really talk.”
Austin tensed. “About what?”
“Us.” She leaned in, hair brushing his shoulder, strap of her dress slipping just enough to draw his eye. “If this weren’t forced… would you ever look at me the way you look at her?”
The question cut sharp. He pulled back. “Don’t.”
Hurt flickered—real this time. “I’m not blind, Austin. I see how you protect her. How you… care. I didn’t expect it to affect me.” Her voice dropped. “But it does.”
She sat on the edge of the desk, close enough that her knee touched his thigh. “I’ve always played the game. But watching you with her… I wonder what it’s like to be chosen. Not arranged.”
Austin’s pulse kicked. This wasn’t the Diana who’d ordered chains and threats. This was something new—vulnerable, almost human—and infinitely more dangerous.
“I’m marrying you for the family,” he said evenly. “That’s the deal.”
She smiled faintly, sad. “I know. But maybe… it doesn’t have to stay that way.” Her hand slid to his collar, fingers light. “Maybe we could try.”
He caught her wrist—firm, not cruel. “No.”
She didn’t pull away. “You’re loyal to her. I respect that. It makes you… different.” Her eyes searched for his. “But she’s not here. I am.”
The air thickened. For a heartbeat, he saw the woman beneath the mask—lonely, ambitious, cracking under her own game.
Then his phone buzzed, a burner from Selene.
Black car followed again. Lost them, but they know I’m here. Help.
Blood roared.
He stood abruptly, breaking contact. “I have to go.”
Diana’s expression shifted from hurt to suspicion. “Now? It’s late.”
“Emergency.” He grabbed his jacket.
She stepped in front of the door. “Tell me what’s really going on, Austin. No more games.”
He met her eyes—cold now. “You started the games. I’m ending them.”
He pushed past.
Diana watched him leave, hand still on the doorframe.
In the files he’d left on the desk, one page slipped free—a shipment receipt dated the week Selene’s parents died.
A single line circled in red: Blake approval required.
Austin didn’t see it.
But Diana did.
She picked it up, eyes narrowing.
The mask had cracked wider now.
- Writer
