The morning light crept lazily through the curtains, casting a pale glow over the estate. Adeline stirred, but sleep had long abandoned her. The events of the previous night—the battle, Lucas's betrayal, Silvio's defeat—still churned in her mind. Her hands fidgeted with the edge of the blanket as a familiar unease settled in her chest.*****Selena pressed her forehead against the airplane window, the city lights of New York shrinking beneath her as the plane sliced through the night sky. Her heart raced with anticipation—after months of distance, she could finally see him again. Memories flooded her mind: the narrow streets where they had walked as children, the late nights spent sharing secrets, the intensity in his eyes that had always held her captive. As the plane descended, she felt a familiar flutter of excitement, mixed with a sharp sting of nostalgia. The airport smelled of polished floors and coffee, but to her, it carried echoes of the past. Navigating her way to the hotel, Selena's heels clicked against the marble lobby floor, each step a reminder that she was returning not just to a city, but to the man who had always occupied her thoughts—and that nothing, not time nor distance, had dulled her desire to see him.******Donovan was in his office, reviewing maps and reports with a precision that made her heart ache. She had learned to respect his focus, but lately, every decision he made seemed to remind her of the world she had entered—a world of power, danger, and desire.The sound of the front door opening drew both their attention. A tall, striking woman entered, confidence radiating from every movement. Her dark hair fell in waves around her shoulders, and her sharp eyes immediately found Donovan."Donovan," she said, her voice smooth and familiar, a teasing edge beneath the warmth. "It's been a long time."Donovan's expression hardened slightly. "Selena," he said, cool, measured. "I didn't expect you back in town."Selena's gaze lingered on him longer than necessary, a subtle, unspoken claim in her eyes. "I heard things… about what's been happening. Thought I'd check on an old friend." Her smirk held a hint of mischief.Adeline stiffened beside him, a knot of jealousy twisting in her stomach. She had expected enemies outside, not shadows from Donovan's past stepping into their world. Selena's presence was magnetic, intoxicating even, and Adeline couldn't shake the unease that settled deep in her chest.Donovan's posture stiffened, a silent warning to Selena, though his hands remained calm at his sides. "You're here for old times' sake?" he asked, voice low and steady. "Or are you here to complicate things?"Selena laughed softly, a sound that made Adeline's skin crawl. "Maybe a little of both," she said, stepping closer, her eyes glinting with a mix of challenge and admiration. "You've changed, Donovan. More… commanding. More dangerous. It suits you."Adeline's fists clenched at her sides. She wanted to speak, to assert herself, but Donovan's eyes flicked to her, sharp and protective. The tension between the three was palpable, a silent triangle of desire, power, and rivalry.Selena's presence wasn't just a threat to Adeline's sense of security—it was a reminder that Donovan's world was vast, complex, and filled with shadows she couldn't yet navigate. Every glance Selena gave him, every subtle brush of her hand, was a provocation.Adeline felt heat rise in her cheeks, and for the first time, she realized how much she feared losing him—not to an enemy, but to someone who had known him long before she existed in his world.Donovan finally broke the tension. "Selena, I suggest you leave for now," he said, voice like steel, cutting through the air. "There's… business to attend to, and this isn't a social visit."Selena's smirk didn't falter. "Of course. But remember, Donovan… some things from the past never truly stay buried."With that, she turned and left, her presence lingering like a shadow over the room. Adeline exhaled shakily, relief mixed with lingering unease.Donovan moved closer, his hand brushing hers in a small, possessive gesture. "Don't let her unsettle you," he murmured, voice low, dark, protective. "She's from my past, not your present. You're the one I want, the one I keep."Adeline looked up at him, her heart pounding, desire and fear tangled together. "I… I just don't like her," she admitted, voice small. "She makes me feel… exposed."Donovan's lips curved in a shadowed smile. "Good," he said, darkly. "Let her feel that she's threatened you. Let her know exactly what's mine."As the day wore on, the estate felt smaller, the walls pressing in as the threat of Selena's return loomed. Adeline couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning, that Donovan's past would continue to clash with their present, and that every moment of peace they shared would now carry the weight of danger and desire intertwined.Chapter 38 — In Betwe
