✦ EIRA POV ✦
"Wow… it tastes astonishing."
Claira's voice was soft, almost dreamy, as she savored the food.
I smiled faintly.
At least someone was eating in peace.
Because I… I couldn't.
Not with those black eyes drilling into me from across the room like I was a problem he couldn't erase fast enough.
I forced myself to focus on my plate.
Just eat. Just breathe. Just ignore him.
"You're an amazing chef."
What?
No— I didn't even—
"You should leave now."
That voice cut through everything like a blade.
Cold. Firm. Final.
Why is he always like this?
Always pushing me away. Always acting like my presence is something unbearable.
Can't I just exist in front of him without being thrown out?
"Adrain… I'm sorry for misunderstanding you. I truly am."
"I'm sorry."
"Please… just let me help you."
"If your talking is finished, you can leave."
He didn't even look at me.
Not once.
His eyes stayed fixed on his phone, like I wasn't even worth the effort of a glance.
Something inside me snapped.
"What does he think of himself?" I thought bitterly. "Doesn't he hear me at all?"
"Adrain… I'm not going anywhere."
My voice hardened.
"Tessy is my friend. I will help her. No matter what."
The moment I said it—
His head lifted.
Slowly.
His eyes locked onto mine.
Dark.
Piercing.
Burning with something dangerous.
Oh God.
I shouldn't have said that.
"Adrain… she was only trying to help," Claira whispered nervously.
"Claira. You're done eating. Leave."
"But—"
"I said leave. Now."
The finality in his voice made her flinch.
She looked at me helplessly… almost apologetically… like she was leaving me inside a cage.
And then she walked away.
The door closed behind her.
And silence swallowed me whole.
Don't leave me alone with him.
My chest tightened painfully.
I couldn't even look up.
"Why can you never listen to me?"
His voice came low.
Dangerous.
Controlled anger barely holding itself together.
"How many times have I told you to stay away from him? Yet you still came here. Alone."
Each word sharpened.
"What if I hadn't been here? What if that bastard had been—"
His voice rose.
"What if something had happened to you?"
Suddenly—
His hand shot out.
He grabbed my arm.
Hard.
Pain shot through me instantly as he pulled me forward.
Too close.
Too fast.
His face was inches from mine.
His eyes burned straight into me.
"When I ask something… I expect an answer."
His grip tightened.
My arm ached under his hold.
"I said speak."
My lips trembled.
But no words came out.
Fear clamped my throat shut.
His grip tightened again.
I felt it—something inside me breaking.
And then—
A tear slipped out.
Just one.
Silent.
Helpless.
The moment it fell—
His hand froze.
His grip loosened.
As if that single tear had burned him.
He released me abruptly, stepping back like he couldn't stand what he was seeing.
Then—
He turned away.
Without another word.
The door slammed so hard the walls shook.
And I was left there.
Empty.
Shaking.
Holding my sore arm like it could stop the pain spreading inside me.
"I don't think he'll come back tonight."
Claira's soft voice came from behind me.
"You should sleep here… if you want. I know it's uncomfortable, but…"
I turned toward her.
And suddenly—everything broke.
I pulled her into a tight hug.
"Claira… none of this is your fault. Don't blame yourself. And yes… I'd like that."
She smiled weakly through her tears.
"Thank you, Eira."
But I couldn't sleep.
Not even for a second.
My mind kept replaying everything.
Peter.
Claira.
The baby.
And him.
Why did he leave like that?
Why did it hurt so much when he did?
"Are you going to keep turning all night, Eira?"
Claira's sleepy voice broke my thoughts.
"I'm sorry… I didn't mean to wake you."
"It's okay. I couldn't sleep either."
A pause.
Then—
"Claira… can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Are you really going to tell everyone the baby is Peter's? Aren't you scared?"
Her expression darkened instantly.
"I am scared, Eira… what if he hurts my baby? What if he takes everything away from me?"
"You're right to be scared," I said softly. "But what about your child's future?"
Her eyes flickered.
"What will you say when your baby asks about his father? People will be cruel, Claira… but the truth matters more than fear."
Her lips trembled.
"And if Peter does this again? To Tessy? If she wasn't as strong as you… another life will break."
Silence.
Heavy.
Then—
Tears filled her eyes.
"You're right," she whispered. "I have to do this. For my baby. So that monster doesn't hurt anyone else."
She gave me a shaky smile.
"Thank you, Eira."
"Always."
Then she added softly—
"Adrain asked me to do a DNA test. That will prove everything."
Relief loosened something in my chest.
"That's good. It'll work."
She nodded.
Then said quietly—
"Don't thank me. Thank Adrain. He may not look like it… but he's good. Truly, Eira. He is."
My chest tightened slightly.
I didn't answer.
✦ ADRAIN POV ✦
My cave was destruction.
Stone cracked under my fists.
Objects shattered.
Everything broke except the one thing I wanted to silence.
My mind.
Her tear.
That single tear.
Why does it haunt me like this?
Why does it feel like something inside me is bleeding every time I see it?
I slammed my fist into the wall again.
Pain meant nothing.
Not compared to her face.
I grabbed a bottle of blood and drank it in harsh gulps.
It didn't help.
Nothing did.
Then—
My phone rang.
Claira.
I answered.
Silence.
"Adrain… I'm ready for the DNA test."
"Tomorrow. 4 p.m."
Click.
I ended the call.
Too fast.
Too sharp.
Eira.
Of course.
She pushed her into this.
That girl—
Damn her.
Why does she always interfere?
And why does it matter so much when she does?
I exhaled sharply, then dialed a number.
"Who is this?"
"It's a shame you're sleeping peacefully while your life is about to fall apart."
"Explain yourself."
"Claira. DNA test tomorrow. She'll prove the child is yours."
"What? Who are you?"
"Your well-wisher."
My voice stayed calm.
Too calm.
"Adrain Blake thought you deserved to know."
"What do you want?"
"Nothing. Unlike you, I don't beg."
Silence.
Then—
"Why are you helping me?"
"Because your father is my business partner. And I don't let business get ruined over emotional messes."
A laugh.
Then—
"I thought maybe this was about that girl… Eira?"
My body went still.
Ice spread through me.
"I saw her once. Not bad. A little average… but that night she looked—"
CRASH.
The glass shattered in my hand.
Blood spilled.
I didn't feel it.
"Are you okay?"
My voice came out quiet.
Dangerously quiet.
"Nothing."
Just a smile.
Cold.
Controlled.
"Just dealing with a dog who forgot his place."
He laughed.
"So we're friends now?"
"Yes."
My smile deepened.
"We're friends."
Then I added silently—
Not until I destroy you.