Chapter 5 Hidden Connections

Damian led her into his penthouse, the city lights casting a warm golden glow over the sleek, modern space. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the glittering skyline, but Elena barely noticed. Her heart was pounding too fast, her mind swirling with unanswered questions. Damian shrugged off his jacket and moved with practiced ease toward the bar, pouring himself a glass of amber-colored whiskey before turning to face her.

"Your father and I had a... complicated history," he began, his deep voice steady but laced with something unspoken.

Elena folded her arms tightly across her chest. "Complicated how?" she demanded, her tone sharper than she intended.

"He saved me once," Damian said quietly, staring into his glass before meeting her gaze. "When I was young and reckless, he pulled me back from a mistake that could've ruined me. I owed him everything. But years later, we made a deal that changed everything. He wanted to protect you, Elena-even if it meant sacrificing the firm."

Her chest tightened painfully. "You're lying," she whispered, though part of her wasn't sure.

"I'm not," Damian replied, stepping closer, his presence filling the room. "And I've been trying to protect you ever since."

Tears burned Elena's eyes. "You're the reason my life is falling apart," she said, her voice trembling.

"I'm the reason you're still standing," Damian countered, his gaze intense and unrelenting. "You don't have to believe me, but it's the truth."

Before she could respond, a deafening crash split the silence. The sound of shattering glass echoed through the penthouse as a masked intruder burst through the window, brandishing a gun.

"Get down!" Damian shouted, lunging toward Elena. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to the floor just as bullets tore through the air, splintering furniture and sending shards of glass flying everywhere. Elena's scream was muffled against his chest as chaos erupted around them.