Elara's POV
I stumbled toward the front door, my legs shaking so badly I could barely walk. Behind me, Adrian's presence felt like a knife pressed against my spine.
Remember what I said, he murmured. One wrong word, and your friend suffers.
Mira pounded on the door again. Elara! I know you're in there! Open up!
I reached for the doorknob, but Adrian's hand shot out and grabbed it first.
Let me do the talking, he said pleasantly. Then he opened the door with a perfect smile. Good morning. You must be Mira.
Mira stood on the doorstep, her colorful hair bright against the morning sun. She took one look at Adrian—at his casual clothes, his charming smile, his hand still on the doorknob—and her eyes narrowed.
And you must be the creepy brother. She pushed past him without waiting for an invitation. Elara, are you okay?
I wanted to scream No! Help me! Get me out of here! But Adrian's warning echoed in my head. One wrong word.
I'm fine, I lied. I wasn't expecting you until noon.
Mira studied my face. She'd always been able to read me too well. You look terrible. Have you slept?
Rough night.
I bet. Mira finally looked at Adrian, her expression cold. Do you mind? I'd like to talk to my friend. Alone.
Adrian's smile never wavered. Of course. I was just making sure Elara was okay. She had quite a shock yesterday with the family news.
Yeah, I heard. Baby swap. Must be traumatic. Mira's tone suggested she didn't believe that was the whole story.
It's been difficult for everyone. Adrian's hand found my shoulder, squeezing gently. A warning disguised as comfort. But we're family. We'll get through it together.
The way he said family made my skin crawl.
Mira's eyes locked onto his hand on my shoulder. Something shifted in her expression—recognition, understanding, alarm.
Elara, she said carefully, why don't you show me your room? We can catch up in private.
Good idea, I said quickly, stepping out from under Adrian's touch. Come on.
We headed for the stairs, but Adrian called after us: I'll bring up some breakfast. You must be hungry after your flight, Mira.
I'm good, thanks.
I insist. His voice had that steel underneath again. We're very hospitable in the Ashford household.
Mira and I climbed the stairs in silence. I could feel Adrian watching us the entire way.
Once we were in my room with the door locked, Mira spun to face me.
Okay, what the actual hell is going on? And don't tell me you're fine because I just watched your brother look at you like you're his property.
I opened my mouth. Closed it. Started crying instead.
Mira pulled me into a fierce hug. Hey, hey. It's okay. I'm here now. Whatever's happening, we'll fix it.
You can't fix this, I sobbed against her shoulder. Nobody can.
Try me.
So I told her everything. The baby swap. Adrian knowing for seven years. His confession of love—obsession. His threats against anyone who helped me. Marcus getting fired. The commitment papers.
With each revelation, Mira's expression grew darker.
That's not love, she said when I finished. That's abuse. Textbook psychological abuse. Isolation, control, threats—Elara, you need to leave. Right now.
He'll come after me. He said
Let him try. Mira grabbed my shoulders. Listen to me. I have money saved. We can get you on a plane to Paris today. You can stay with me while we figure out next steps. Restraining order, lawyers, whatever you need.
Hope flickered in my chest. You think it could work?
I know it will. But we need to move fast, before
A knock on the door made us both jump.
Breakfast is ready, ladies. Adrian's voice, cheerful and terrifying. I made your favorite, Elara. French toast.
I hadn't told him Mira was here. How did he have food ready so quickly?
Unless he'd been expecting her. Unless he'd planned for this.
We're not hungry, Mira called out.
That's a shame. I went to so much trouble. A pause. Elara, could you open the door? I'd like to speak with your friend properly. Welcome her to our home.
No, I whispered.
I think that's a 'no,' psycho, Mira shouted.
The temperature in the hallway seemed to drop.
I see. Adrian's voice lost all warmth. Elara, I'm going to count to three. If you don't open this door, I'm going to assume Mira is holding you hostage and call the police. They'll be very interested to hear about the unstable foreign girl who's manipulating my traumatized sister.
He wouldn't, Mira hissed.
But I knew better. Adrian would do anything.
One.
Don't open it, Mira urged.
Two.
My hand moved toward the lock.
Elara, don't you dare
Three.
I unlocked the door.
Adrian opened it slowly, like he had all the time in the world. He carried a breakfast tray, French toast, fresh strawberries, orange juice. The perfect host.
Thank you, he said to me, then looked at Mira. We need to establish some ground rules. You're a guest in this house. Elara's friend. I respect that. But you're also a stranger who's trying to fill my sister's head with dangerous ideas.
She's not your sister, Mira shot back. And the only dangerous person here is you.
Adrian set the tray down on my desk. I've looked into you, Mira Chen. Freelance journalist. No steady income. Visa issues in France. History of accusing authority figures of misconduct.
Mira's face went pale. You investigated me?
I investigate everyone who gets close to Elara. Adrian turned to me with that terrible, loving smile. It's what people who care do. They protect.
This isn't protection, I said, finding my voice. This is stalking.
Call it what you want. Adrian moved closer, and both Mira and I stepped back. But here's what's going to happen. Mira is going to stay for breakfast—it would be rude to leave now. Then she's going to return to her hotel and fly back to Paris. Alone.
Like hell I am, Mira said. Elara's coming with me.
No. Adrian's voice was final. She's not. And if you try to take her, if you so much as put one foot toward that door with her, I'll have you arrested for kidnapping. I'll have your visa revoked. I'll make sure you can never work as a journalist again.
You can't do that!
I own half of Ashford Industries. I have lawyers on retainer. I have connections you can't imagine. Adrian's eyes never left mine. I can do anything I want. And what I want is for Elara to stay here. With her family. With me.
Mira grabbed my hand. Elara, we're leaving. Right now. He's bluffing.
I'm not. Adrian pulled out his phone. I have the police on speed dial. One call, and I tell them an unstable woman is trying to abduct my sister who's having a mental breakdown after traumatic news.
I'm not having a breakdown! I shouted.
Aren't you? Adrian gestured around my room—at the unmade bed, the scattered tissues, my red eyes. You've been up all night. You're crying. You're not thinking clearly. Any psychiatrist would agree you need support and monitoring right now.
He was building his case. Right here, in front of Mira. Making it look like he was the concerned brother and I was the unstable girl.
You're insane, Mira breathed.
I'm protective. Adrian's thumb hovered over his phone screen. So here's the choice, Mira. Leave peacefully, or leave in handcuffs. Either way, you're leaving.
Mira looked at me, her eyes desperate. Elara, tell him. Tell him you want to leave with me.
I opened my mouth
And the door downstairs slammed open.
ELARA! A woman's voice, shrill and furious. WHERE IS SHE?
Footsteps pounded up the stairs.
Adrian's expression shifted—surprise, then annoyance.
Vivienne burst into my room, her face flushed and angry. She took in the scene—me and Mira backed against the wall, Adrian blocking the door—and her eyes went wide.
What the hell is going on?
Family business, Adrian said coldly. Leave.
Family business? Vivienne's laugh was bitter. I AM family. The REAL daughter. Remember?
She pushed past Adrian and grabbed my arm. I came back to get some answers from my so-called parents. But first, I want to know what he— she pointed at Adrian —meant last night when he said you weren't his sister anymore.
Adrian's jaw tightened. Vivienne
He cornered her, Vivienne continued, looking at Mira. In her bedroom. After the lawyers left. I saw it. He was touching her face, standing too close, saying things that no brother should ever say.
Mira's expression hardened. What kind of things?
Don't, Adrian warned.
But Vivienne was done being quiet. He said he'd been waiting twenty years for this. That he loved her. That now that everyone knew she wasn't his real sister, he could finally
ENOUGH! Adrian's roar made everyone flinch.
The mask had finally cracked.
He grabbed Vivienne's arm and yanked her toward the door. Get out. Now.
Let go of me!
I said GET OUT!
He shoved her into the hallway. Vivienne stumbled, caught herself on the railing, and stared at him with pure horror.
You're sick, she whispered. You're actually sick.
Adrian slammed the door in her face. When he turned back to us, his expression was terrifyingly calm.
Now, he said pleasantly, where were we?
Below us, I heard Vivienne screaming for my parents.
And I realized with sinking certainty that everything was about to get so much worse.