Chapter 16: The Weight of Control

Killian sat in his office, the dim lighting casting long, dramatic shadows on the polished floor, the silence broken only by the low hum of the city outside. The sprawling city skyline stretched beyond the floor-to-ceiling glass walls, a breathtaking panorama of light and movement, but his thoughts were far removed from the captivating view. He clenched his fists, the knuckles turning white, staring at the sleek phone on his desk as if willing it to provide some elusive answer, some solution to the frustrating situation he found himself in.

Luna had refused to leave, defying his expectations. She had chosen the charity, her work, over him. Again.

A sharp, insistent knock on the door interrupted his brooding thoughts, and before he could even register the sound, before he could offer an invitation, the door swung open with an almost theatrical flair.

"Still brooding, I see," came a voice laced with amusement, a familiar, teasing tone that cut through the heavy atmosphere.

Killian glanced up, his sharp, intense gaze meeting the easy, disarming grin of Elijah Carter, his longtime friend and confidante.

Elijah strode into the office, uninvited as always, his presence a stark contrast to the cold, simmering tension that filled the room. With an effortless charm and a casual confidence that bordered on arrogance, he dropped into the plush chair across from Killian's massive desk, stretching his arms behind his head in a relaxed, almost nonchalant manner.

"Not now, Elijah," Killian muttered, rubbing his temple.

"Oh, come on," Elijah chuckled. "When have I ever listened to that?"

Killian sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'm not in the mood."

"Right, because your wife just chose some charity work over your oh-so-commanding presence," Elijah teased, but there was an undertone of understanding in his voice. "Luna always had a fire in her. Didn't you fall for that once?"

Killian's jaw tightened, his expression hardening. "I didn't fall for anything," he stated, his voice clipped and defensive.

Elijah leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Liar," he countered smoothly, his tone playful but persistent.

Killian exhaled sharply, a frustrated sigh escaping his lips, glaring at Elijah. "She doesn't listen, Elijah. She refuses to understand that I'm doing this to protect her, that my actions are for her own good," he insisted, his voice laced with exasperation.

"Or maybe she refuses to be controlled, Killian," Elijah countered smoothly, his words a gentle prod. "Not everyone bends to your will, no matter how powerful you are, no matter how much you think you know what's best. That's why she's different, isn't it? That's why she gets under your skin, because she challenges you in ways no one else dares to," he observed, his gaze sharp and insightful.

"I mean why are you even so willing to protect her? After everything she did to you?" Elijah continued to prod him, pushing him to confront the complexities of his feelings.

Killian ran a hand through his hair, his frustration mounting, his thoughts a tangled mess of conflicting emotions. "It's not that simple, Elijah, you know it's not," he admitted, his voice laced with weariness.

"It never is, is it?" Elijah agreed, his tone softening slightly. "But maybe instead of trying to force her to your side, to bend her to your will, you should figure out why she won't come willingly, why she's so determined to forge her own path, what it is she truly desires," he suggested, his words a gentle nudge toward self-reflection.

Killian hated how much sense that made, how Elijah's words resonated with a truth he had been trying to avoid.

Elijah smirked, watching him with a knowing gaze. "By the way, when were you going to tell me you got married? Or was I supposed to read about it in some business article, a footnote in your latest acquisition? Is there a hidden agenda here, Killian? Some strategic move I'm not privy to?" he asked, his tone laced with playful accusation.

Killian sighed, a heavy, weary sound. "It wasn't planned, Elijah. It was a situation that needed to be resolved," he explained, his voice devoid of emotion.

Elijah whistled, leaning back in his chair, his eyes wide with mock surprise. "A contract marriage? That's unlike you, Killian. What happened to the guy who once scoffed at the very idea of marrying for convenience, who swore he would only marry for love?" he asked, his tone teasing but with an underlying seriousness.

Killian clenched his jaw, his expression hardening. "Things change, Elijah. Life throws you curveballs," he stated, his voice firm, his tone final.

"Yeah? Or maybe some feelings never did, Killian? Maybe they just got buried under layers of pride and resentment?" Elijah asked, his tone deceptively light, but his eyes searching Killian's for any flicker of truth.

Killian glared at him, his gaze sharp and warning. "There are no feelings, Elijah. It's a business arrangement, nothing more," he declared, his voice cold and dismissive.

Elijah burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the office. "God, you're such a bad liar, Killian, especially when it comes to her. I remember when we were kids, you used to follow Luna around like a lost puppy, your eyes always on her. And now you're married, and you want me to believe you feel nothing? That's rich," he teased, his laughter subsiding.

Killian scowled, his expression darkening. "That was a long time ago, Elijah. People change, feelings fade," he insisted, his voice laced with finality.

Elijah chuckled. "You know, if I didn't know better, I'd say you were the one who never moved on."

Killian shot him a warning look, but Elijah only grinned wider. "Hey, just saying. I mean, for a man who claims he doesn't care,or the man who's been left "brokehhearted", you sure as hell are losing sleep over her."

Silence settled between them. Killian wasn't sure whether he appreciated or resented Elijah's presence at that moment. His friend had always been the one to drag uncomfortable truths into the light.

Elijah finally stood, stretching lazily. "Alright, I'll leave you to your brooding. But remember, brother—if you push too hard, you might just lose what you're trying to hold onto."

With that, he sauntered toward the door, giving Killian a last knowing glance before disappearing down the hall.

Killian leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. Elijah's words clung to him, refusing to be ignored.

Was he pushing Luna too hard?

And if he was… had he already begun to lose her?