Eren's POV
The late afternoon sun poured through the glass walls of my office, illuminating the pristine space with an almost too-bright light. It made everything feel exposed, vulnerable. But that wasn't what unsettled me. What unsettled me was the tightness in my chest—the same unease that had been growing ever since Axel began meddling.
I stared at the papers spread across my desk, contracts and spreadsheets that should have demanded my full attention. Instead, my thoughts drifted to Sarah, to the way she had looked at me this morning. There had been a question in her eyes, one she hadn't asked but that I could feel, hovering between us like a ghost.
Was she starting to doubt me?
The idea clawed at me. I had spent years carefully crafting the life we shared, burying truths that could tear it apart. But now, Axel was dragging those truths back into the light, piece by piece.
I clenched my jaw, my fist tightening around the pen in my hand. Axel always had a way of knowing exactly where to strike. And this time, he wasn't just aiming for me—he was aiming for Sarah, too.
A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.
"Come in," I said, my voice sharper than intended.
The door opened, and Luke, one of my trusted associates, stepped inside. His expression was tense, his posture stiff.
"You wanted the update on Axel?" he said, shutting the door behind him.
I leaned back in my chair, gesturing for him to continue.
"He's been asking questions," Luke said, his tone careful. "Digging into the company records, personal files… even your past."
My stomach turned, though I kept my expression neutral. "What exactly is he looking for?"
Luke hesitated. "I'm not sure. But it's clear he's not planning to stop."
Of course he wasn't. Axel never did anything halfway.
"Keep an eye on him," I said finally, my voice cold. "And if he crosses a line…" I let the sentence hang in the air, the unspoken threat loud enough.
Luke nodded and left without another word.
---
Sarah's POV
The hotel felt too quiet when I returned, the kind of silence that made you acutely aware of every sound—my footsteps on the wooden floor, the faint hum of the refrigerator. I dropped my bag by the door and wandered into the kitchen, trying to shake the lingering unease from my encounter with Axel.
His words played on a loop in my mind. "He's not who you think he is."
What did he mean by that? And why did it feel like there was a part of me that didn't want to know?
I poured myself a glass of water, leaning against the counter as I tried to push the thoughts away. But it was impossible. Axel had planted a seed, and now it was growing, twisting, spreading through every corner of my mind.
The sound of the front door opening startled me, and I turned to see Eren walking in. He looked as polished as ever in his tailored suit, but there was something different in his expression—something guarded.
"You're early," I said, trying to sound casual.
He gave me a small smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Thought I'd surprise you."
I set the glass down, watching him carefully. "How was your meeting?"
"Fine," he said, loosening his tie as he walked toward me. "Just boring business stuff."
I nodded, but the unease in my chest only grew. He was deflecting—I could feel it.
Eren reached for me, his hands settling on my waist as he pulled me close. His touch was warm, familiar, but there was an edge to it tonight, like he was holding on a little too tightly.
"You've been quiet lately," he murmured, his lips brushing against my temple. "What's on your mind?"
For a moment, I considered telling him everything—about Axel, about the doubts that had been creeping in. But the words wouldn't come.
"Nothing," I said instead, forcing a smile.
Eren's grip on my waist tightened slightly, and he pulled back to look at me. "Are you sure?"
I nodded quickly, my heart pounding in my chest. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"
His dark eyes searched mine, and for a moment, I thought he might push further. But then he leaned down, pressing his lips to mine in a kiss that was softer than I expected.
"I just want you to be happy," he said quietly, his forehead resting against mine.
The sincerity in his voice made my chest ache. I wanted to believe him—to believe that everything was exactly as it seemed. But Axel's words lingered, a shadow I couldn't ignore.
---
Axel's POV
The hotel bar was dimly lit, the scent of whiskey and smoke hanging heavy in the air. I sat at a corner table, nursing a glass of scotch as I watched the door. She wouldn't come—not tonight. I wasn't reckless enough to expect that.
But still, I waited.
The memory of Sarah's expression earlier that day replayed in my mind. The fear, the confusion—it had been there, just beneath the surface. She was starting to see the cracks.
Good.
I took a slow sip of my drink, savoring the burn as it slid down my throat. Eren thought he could keep her in the dark forever, thought he could bury his past and pretend it didn't exist. But he was wrong.
And when Sarah finally saw him for who he really was, she'd need someone to turn to.
I'd make sure I was the one she turned to.
---
Sarah's POV
That night, I lay in bed beside Eren, staring at the ceiling as his breathing evened out. I could feel the warmth of his body next to mine, the steady rhythm of his presence, but it did little to calm the storm inside me.
Axel's voice echoed in my mind, his warning a constant whisper in the quiet darkness. "He's hiding things from you—things that could change everything."
I turned onto my side, watching Eren as he slept. His face was peaceful, his lips slightly parted, and for a moment, I felt a pang of guilt for doubting him.
But then I remembered the way he had avoided my questions earlier, the way he had pulled away even as he held me close.
The man I married wasn't a liar. Was he?
As I lay there, torn between love and doubt, I couldn't help but wonder if Axel was right. If the life I thought I knew was nothing more than a carefully constructed illusion.
And if it was, what would happen when it all came crashing down?