Mirror of love

The Travis estate had settled into an eerie silence. The chaos from the gunshots had faded, leaving behind a lingering unease. Guards patrolled the property, their presence a reminder that danger was still close.

Elera stood by the window in her room, arms crossed as she watched the lights flicker in the grand hallway below. The gunfire had shaken everyone, but something else gnawed at her. Something—or rather, someone.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the main door creaking open. A deep voice followed, smooth and calm, yet carrying an unsettling weight.

"I assume you received my message, Vivian?"

Elera's body stiffened. That voice…

Downstairs, Vivian turned sharply, her expression momentarily betraying fear before she forced herself to stay composed. "Aden… what are you doing here?"

Aden stepped inside with the ease of a man who knew he was in control. He adjusted the cuffs of his expensive suit, his sharp eyes taking in every inch of the room as if evaluating his territory. Then, with a slow smirk, he met Vivian's gaze.

"I hope the little… demonstration was clear enough. A reminder that debts are meant to be paid." His voice was low, almost pleasant, but the underlying threat was unmistakable.

Vivian swallowed hard. "That was unnecessary. You could have just spoken to me—"

Aden tilted his head, feigning curiosity. "Oh? I thought I had. Several times, in fact. Yet, here we are."

Elera's grip on the curtain tightened. From her vantage point, she could see his face—calm, collected. Too collected. He wasn't just here to warn them. He was enjoying this.

Before she could think, she turned on her heel and rushed downstairs.

Vivian noticed her approaching and quickly stepped in front of her. "Elera, not now," she said, forcing a strained smile.

But Aden had already seen her. His expression shifted—subtle, intrigued.

"Well, well…" He let his gaze linger, slowly, deliberately. "You didn't mention you had such an exquisite stepdaughter, Vivian."

Elera narrowed her eyes. "And you are?"

Vivian let out a forced laugh, placing a hand on Elera's arm as if to hold her back. "He's an investigator, darling. I called him in to… look into tonight's incident."

Lies.

Elera wasn't sure how she knew, but she did. Everything about him screamed deception.

Aden smiled—polite, but unreadable. "Yes, an investigator of sorts," he mused. "Let's just say I specialize in… unsettled matters."

His words were vague, but his eyes said more. Elera didn't miss the way he observed her, not like a stranger meeting someone for the first time, but like a collector studying something he found interesting.

Just then, a maid appeared at the entrance. "Miss Elera, your father is calling for you."

Perfect timing.

Elera shot one last glance at Aden before turning away. But as she walked past him, she could feel his gaze on her back, like a shadow that refused to leave.

Once she was gone, Aden exhaled a small, amused sigh.

"You know," he said, his tone casual, "I might consider a different solution to our little financial misunderstanding."

Vivian stiffened. "What are you talking about?"

Aden stepped closer, lowering his voice just enough to make her lean in. "Your debts are significant, Vivian. However… I might be inclined to overlook them—" He smiled, slow and sharp. "—if you convince your stepdaughter to have dinner with me."

Vivian's breath caught. "You're insane."

"Am I?" Aden chuckled softly, adjusting his watch. "Think about it. You have a talented, beautiful stepdaughter. It would be a shame if anything… unfortunate happened to her. Or to you."

Or should I say your entire family. 

He let that last sentence settle between them, his voice smooth, unwavering. It wasn't a threat. Not in words. But in meaning? It was loud and clear.

Then, as if they had just discussed a casual business deal, he took a step back. "Give it some thought."

With one last glance toward the staircase, Aden turned and walked out, leaving behind a silence far heavier than his presence.

Vivian let out a shaky breath only after the door clicked shut.