By day, I was his.
I let Kael's hand linger on mine as we strolled through the city, let his laughter melt the edges of my guarded heart, let him kiss me under the fading sun as though nothing in the world stood between us.
But by night, I was my father's daughter.
The daughter of Alaric Daniels — the man who had warned me, even from beyond the grave, to never trust Kane.
Every time Kael's lips brushed my skin, I remembered the photograph in the trunk. Him standing beside my father years before, smiling like an ally. Every time he whispered my name, I remembered Kane's words: "The oath is heavier than love."
I played the part perfectly — soft smiles, stolen laughter, a woman falling helplessly in love. And Kael believed it. Or maybe… maybe he wanted to believe it.
But when he left, I lit my lamp and dug through my father's papers again.
This time, I found something more than letters.
A contract. Signed. Sealed. Stamped with the Daniels family crest.
And right there, scrawled in bold ink beside my father's name, was Kael Joshua's signature.
My heart stopped.
Kael had sworn an oath with my father. Years before my world fell apart.
The pages blurred as tears filled my eyes. Was this the oath Kane spoke of? And if so… why did it lead to my father's death?
I pressed the contract against my chest, torn between rage and heartbreak.
The next morning, Kael took me to the cliffs overlooking the sea. The wind tangled my hair, the salt stung my lips, and his arm wrapped around me as though he feared letting go.
"Selene," he whispered, "you make me believe in second chances."
I smiled, leaning into him. But behind the smile, my vow burned stronger than ever.
I would uncover the truth.
Even if it shattered the very love I was beginning to crave.
For days, I lived a double life.
By morning, I was the girl Kael adored. I let him drive me through the quiet streets, my head resting against his shoulder as though my heart was safe in his hands. By night, I pieced together the shattered puzzle of my father's past.
The contract wasn't the only paper hidden in the trunk. Beneath it lay letters exchanged between my father and Kael — letters full of promises to protect the Daniels legacy, sealed with words like "loyalty" and "brotherhood."
And then, one letter darker than the rest.
"If Kane pushes further, you must hold the oath, even if it means her blood."
My breath caught. Her blood.
Was it about me? Or my mother?
Trembling, I dug deeper — until I found a final page, torn at the edges, half-burned, but still legible enough to seal the truth.
My father hadn't fallen in business. He had been betrayed. By Kane. And Kael had stood at his side when the dagger was plunged.
I clutched the papers, fury and heartbreak warring in my chest. At last, I had enough. Enough to destroy Kael Joshua and the man who called himself Morpheus Kane.
But as I folded the evidence back into the trunk, a shadow crossed my window.
Kael.
He stood outside, watching me. His eyes sharp, unreadable, far too knowing.
When I opened the door, he was already smiling — that easy, disarming smile I had once believed without question. But there was something else beneath it. A flicker of suspicion.
"Selene," he said softly, stepping closer. "You've been… different lately. What secrets are you keeping from me?"
The air between us tightened, sharp as glass.
I forced a laugh, tilting my head like I hadn't just uncovered the weapon that could end him.
"Secrets? Don't be silly. I'm just tired."
But as his gaze lingered on me, unblinking, I knew the mask was slipping.
For both of us