Chapter 4 Ghost From The Past.

Ghost-chasing has never been Dominic Stones' style.

Ghosts were traces of the past, of things forgotten and gone. He presided over things that had no place in the world.

But here he was, waiting for a ghost that had somehow reincarnated as flesh and blood in the opulent lobby of Silver Enterprises.

Elena Silver

She had returned, but this time she was a force ripping through his present rather than only a phantom of his past.

She wasn't alone herself, either.

He felt a sluggish, seething anger at the concept. He had been convinced for years that Elena had abandoned him and decided to turn against him. However, that fact was now beginning to show fractures. There were questions coming up.

He also want *answers.*

One of the receptionists, a nervous-looking lady with dark-rimmed glasses, looked up at him. "Miss Silver is not available for meetings, Mr. Stones."

Dominic remained still, his face expressionless. "She'll see me."

The lady paused. "She-"

She was interrupted as the elevator doors slid open with a gentle chime.

With her shoes tapping on the gleaming marble, Elena went outside. She walked steadily, her stance unflinching, but Dominic could see him the instant she saw him.

Something sparked in her emerald-green eyes for the smallest moment. Unexpected. annoyance. And something colder below it.

Then it disappeared as swiftly.

Her lips twisting into something that was neither a grin nor a smirk, she manipulated the sleeve of her fitted black jacket. "Dominic."

On her lips, his name resembled an ice-dipped razor.

"Elena." His pulse was erratic, yet his speech was steady. "You have been avoiding me."

Her face remained unchanged. "I have been quite busy."

He clenched his jaw. "Then schedule time."

She cocked her head, seeming to pay attention. "I'll check my schedule now." She looked at her assistant. "Do I have time today to talk about irrelevant matters?"

The assistant took a deep breath. "Miss Silver, no. You have a packed schedule.

Elena looked back at Dominic. "I suppose that clarifies your query."

Dominic moved closer to them, taking a hesitant step forward. "You and I both understand that you cannot ignore this." He spoke in a hushed tone, with a hint of power. "We must speak."

She didn't recoil. "Do we?"

"Elena." He spoke in a stern tone. "Avoid playing tricks on me."

Her mouth twisted. It's funny that *you* didn't mind when I played games after you tossed me out.

The allegation caused something within him to flame, but he repressed it. There was no need to open that wound now.

"Elena," he said, more slowly this time, with each word purposeful, "is he mine?"

Something changed in the air between them.

Elena's mask faltered for the first moment. Only a little portion.

Then it returned as fast as it had appeared.

She laughed softly and without humor. What if he was is?

Dominic's whole body froze.

She didn't corroborate that with her words. It wasn't a denial.

They were a test, however.

Elena was waiting, keeping a careful eye on him, and making calculations.

In Dominic's mind, rage and something far more dangerous,fear were at odds.

For if there was a chance that the kid was his, then

Not only had he wasted years with Elena. Years have passed since he was not with his son.

With a voice like to thunder before a storm, he urged Elena not to do what she was doing.

The coldness in her eyes turned into something inscrutable as she let out a quick breath. "Do what, Dominic?"

"Keep me out."

She pursed her lips.

Then, with a quiet but deadly voice, she stepped forward. "You are not allowed to pretend to care."

He let out a deep, deliberate exhalation of air. "Perhaps I don't merit the privilege."

She saw something flash past her eyes. Pain.

Then,nothing.

She turned and left.

"Elena." His voice was deep, with a hint of desperation.

She continued.

didn't turn around.

didn't provide him with the answers he sought.

And suddenly-

She had left.

With his hands clenched at his sides, Dominic watched her fleeing figure.

Once again, she was doing it. Leaving. excluding him.

Just like she had done years before.

This time, however, the lingering feeling between them was not heartbreak. It was far more risky. A battle.

He forced himself to relax his jaw and let out a calm breath. "Elena," he said, his voice softer now but with an uncompromising sharpness.

She didn't stop or give him another look. However, Dominic was a guy who didn't let things get away from him.

He walked slowly ahead and caught up to her as she was about to enter her private office via the glass doors. He blocked her route by moving ahead of her.

His attention was drawn to the tension that lay underneath Elena's composed appearance, even if her eyes darted with irritation.

He remarked in a quiet voice, "You can't just walk away from this."

Although her lips curled, her look lacked warmth. "I simply did."

"Elena." His voice became stern. "If I own that boy...."

She interrupted him with a quick breath. "Dominic, you have long since forfeited your authority to make any demands of me."

His stomach turned. "I no know ."

She gave a little sour chuckle. "No. You should have no interest in finding out.

He gasped for air.

She went on, moving closer now, her voice dropping into something harsher, something laced with rage, "You chose to believe the worst of me." "You didn't inquire." You didn't think twice. You tossed me aside as if I were unimportant.

The weight of her words caused Dominic's carefully constructed control to break, causing his fingers to quiver.

"You believe I didn't-" He paused and took a long breath. "Elena, I believed you had betrayed me."

Her eyes blinked. And now you believe you have the right to stand here and ask me questions? only because you have a suspicion about something?

He didn't respond. He was unable to.

Because she was correct, despite his best efforts to resist, to struggle, to make her face the fury that was roaring inside of him.

Elena looked at him for a long time, evaluating him as if she were looking for something. a flaw. A rift in his determination.

Finally, she let out a breath. "Dominic, I owe you nothing."

His jaw muscle twitched.

She brushed against his shoulder as she left before he could say anything further.

He was taunted by the lingering aroma of her, vanilla and something that was definitely Elena.

Dominic pivoted and saw her vanishing behind her office doors.

His chest became constricted.

This was not the end of it. Not even close.

Elena was mistaken if she believed she could put the past behind her and remove him from the picture.

For Dominic Stones never relinquished what was rightfully his.

He would also discover the truth.

whatever it took.