Chapter 8 – His Rules, Her Dilemma

"Attraction is easy. Control is dangerous."

The lights in Damon's penthouse were dim, casting long shadows across the marble floor as Elina stepped inside. Her eyes burned from crying, her chest tight from holding it together at the hospital. Her brother was stable… for now.

But she wasn't.

She shut the door softly, then leaned against it, breathing in silence. Her thoughts were a storm — Damon's coldness, Taylor's sudden return, the kiss that changed everything, the guilt that came after.

Her head was spinning… until the scent of his cologne hit her.

He was standing by the bar, jacket off, shirt sleeves rolled up, drink untouched.

"Elina," Damon said quietly.

Her stomach twisted. His voice still did things to her heart — but his silence at the hospital, his distance, that smile he gave Selena…

She walked past him.

"I'm tired."

"That's it?" he asked, stepping closer. "You run into a man who clearly has feelings for you and suddenly I'm invisible?"

She turned sharply. "You kissed me and then acted like it meant nothing."

He looked like he wanted to argue — but didn't. His jaw clenched instead.

"Elina—"

"Don't," she said, holding up a hand. "I don't know what's happening anymore. With you. With me. With Taylor…"

His name made Damon stiffen.

"He's your past," Damon snapped. "And I'm your present."

"He's never been my past!" she shot back. "We never had a chance to be anything. He moved to London before either of us said a word."

"But now he's back," Damon said lowly, stepping toward her, "and suddenly you're remembering everything you almost had?"

A silence passed.

"Are you jealous?" she asked, voice barely above a whisper.

"I don't get jealous," he said coldly. "I take what's mine."

"Then what am I?" she asked. "A contract? A temporary possession?"

Damon didn't answer.

Before the tension could break, a knock rattled the door. Elina frowned.

Damon opened it with a scowl.

"Taylor?" Elina said, startled.

He looked breathtaking — still in his travel clothes, a small box in hand, eyes locking with hers instantly. "Sorry for the surprise. I just... needed to see you."

Damon stepped in front of her.

"I didn't know she gave you this address."

"She didn't," Taylor replied smoothly. "I asked around. I had to see her before anything else."

The room froze.

Elina stepped forward, trying to calm the heat between the two men. "Taylor… why now? Why did you come?"

He looked at her — and the emotion in his eyes stopped her breath.

"Because I found out what you're going through," he said. "And I should've been there sooner. I don't want to make the same mistake twice."

Damon's jaw tightened.

"Interesting timing," he muttered.

Elina turned to Taylor. "My brother's stable, but I just need rest tonight."

Taylor nodded, understanding. "Then I'll wait. As long as it takes."

After he left, the silence between Elina and Damon grew sharp.

"I don't trust him," Damon muttered. "People don't come back without a reason."

Elina looked at him. "And you? What reason did you have to kiss me like that, only to ignore me the next day?"

He walked up to her, his eyes dark.

"You think I can ignore you?" he growled. "Every second you're not near me feels like I can't breathe."

He gripped her waist — but didn't kiss her.

Not yet.

"Elina," he whispered, "don't fall for a fantasy."

She stared at him.

And for the first time… she wasn't sure which man was the dream — and which one would destroy her.

But just as she turned to leave the room, her phone buzzed with a new message:

Unknown Number:

"He didn't come back for love. He

came for the truth. Ask Taylor what he's really hiding."

Her heart dropped.

And Chapter 8 ends...