The Case That Binds Us

Lucian Drax sat in his office, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the polished wood of his desk. A new case had just landed on his lap—a high-profile homicide. The victim, a prominent businessman, had been found dead under suspicious circumstances. The suspect? A rising entrepreneur with powerful connections, someone who could afford the best legal defense money could buy.

And as fate would have it, the man's defense attorney was none other than Dorian Vale.

Lucian smirked. Fate truly had a twisted sense of humor.

He leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. This meant only one thing—he would be forced to work closely with the Vale family, and more importantly, with Saraphina. A perfect opportunity to prove his theory. He had been putting together the pieces, and every clue pointed to one conclusion: Saraphina Vale was the woman from that fateful night five years ago.

Now, he needed evidence. And for that, he had to get even closer.

That evening, Lucian arrived at the Vale Villa. His presence was both expected and unexpected. The moment he stepped through the grand doors, he felt the weight of his own emotions. This place wasn't just another residence—it was the home of the woman he had long loved from afar. A woman who had unknowingly been tied to him in ways deeper than either of them had ever realized.

Evangeline Vale welcomed him warmly, unaware of his hidden agenda. She had always respected Lucian and saw him as a good man. "Detective Drax, it's good to see you. You must be here for Dorian."

Lucian gave a polite nod. "That's correct, Mrs. Vale. Business, as usual."

She chuckled softly, motioning for him to enter. "Well, I hope the two of you don't tear each other apart in that office of his. Dorian can be quite stubborn."

Lucian smirked. "So can I."

As he stepped inside, his gaze involuntarily drifted to the familiar scent of jasmine lingering in the air. Saraphina. He knew she was somewhere in the house, but before he could search for her, Dorian appeared, dressed in his usual pristine suit, an air of authority surrounding him.

"Lucian," Dorian greeted with a nod. "Let's get to work."

The discussion between the two men was intense. The case was complex, filled with contradictions and missing pieces. But while Lucian focused on his investigation, his mind wandered to another puzzle entirely—Saraphina.

He needed more than just theories. He needed undeniable proof. And that's where Caelum Vale came into play.

Later that night, Lucian found himself alone with Caelum in the Vale's private study. The younger man regarded him with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

"You didn't just come here for the case, did you?" Caelum asked, leaning against the bookshelf.

Lucian didn't bother denying it. Instead, he pulled something out of his pocket and placed it on the table between them—a delicate wristwatch with the initials S.V. engraved on the back.

Caelum's eyes widened. He recognized it instantly.

"Where did you get this?" he asked, his voice carefully controlled.

Lucian's jaw tightened. "Five years ago. The night of the gala. The woman I spent the night with left this behind."

Caelum's grip on the watch tightened, his mind racing. There was no denying it—this was his sister's. Saraphina had lost this watch the night she returned home in tears, the same night she had disappeared for hours without a trace.

Lucian took a deep breath. "Caelum, I need you to be honest with me. Does this belong to Saraphina?"

A silence stretched between them. Caelum studied Lucian's face, searching for something—doubt, uncertainty, or perhaps hesitation. But all he found was sincerity and longing.

Finally, Caelum exhaled, nodding. "It does."

Lucian closed his eyes for a brief moment, as if absorbing the weight of this revelation. "That night… it was her, wasn't it?"

Caelum could see the emotions warring within Lucian—guilt, relief, and something deeper. Something more profound.

But before he could confirm anything further, Lucian spoke again. "Caelum, I need your blessing. I… I want to pursue your sister. I need to know if she'll let me in."

Caelum's lips quirked into a smirk. He felt a strange sense of satisfaction. At least the man his sister had unknowingly given herself to wasn't a stranger or someone unworthy. It was Lucian Drax—a man who had admired her for years, a man who, despite his flaws, was fiercely loyal and protective.

But there was one thing Lucian didn't know yet. One secret that would change everything.

Saraphina had given birth to twins.

Caelum debated revealing the truth. Should he tell Lucian now, or should he wait? He decided to wait. He wanted to see how Lucian would handle everything without the added knowledge of fatherhood. He needed to be sure that Lucian's feelings for Saraphina were genuine and not just guilt-driven.

So he simply extended his hand. "You have my blessing."

Lucian shook it firmly, gratitude flashing in his eyes.

Caelum leaned back, crossing his arms. "But, Lucian… she's not the same girl you once knew. She's stronger now. If you hurt her, I will personally make sure you regret it."

Lucian gave a dry chuckle. "Noted."

As fate would have it, Evangeline Vale had planned a trip with Saraphina's children, unknowingly giving Lucian the perfect opportunity. With them out of the house, Saraphina would have no distractions. And Lucian would have a chance to prove himself—to get closer to her, to make her see him in a different light before he revealed the truth.

He had made his decision. He would frequent the Vale Villa under the guise of working with Dorian. He would gather evidence, inching closer to confirming what he already suspected. But more than that, he would court Saraphina. Win her trust, her heart. So that when the truth finally came out, she wouldn't hate him.

Little did he know, fate had its own way of revealing secrets. And soon, the past would come knocking with consequences neither of them could ignore.