The morning sun spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Theo’s penthouse, casting golden streaks across the rumpled sheets where Mira lay tangled in his arms. She had woken before him, her body still humming from the night before—from the way he had taken her, slow and deep, like he was memorizing every inch of her. Like he never wanted to let her go.
She traced her fingers over the faint scars on his chest, the ones he never talked about. The ones that told a story she was only beginning to understand.
Theo stirred beneath her touch, his dark eyes fluttering open. A slow, satisfied smile curved his lips as he pulled her closer. “Morning,” he murmured, his voice rough with sleep.
Mira smiled, pressing a kiss to his jaw. “Morning.”
He rolled her onto her back, his body covering hers as he kissed her deeply, his hands sliding down to grip her hips. Mira moaned into his mouth, her fingers tangling in his hair—
*Knock. Knock. Knock.*
Theo groaned, pulling back with a frustrated sigh. “Ignore it.”
Mira laughed softly, pushing at his shoulders. “It could be important.”
“Nothing’s more important than this,” he growled, nipping at her bottom lip.
*Knock. Knock. Knock.*
Theo exhaled sharply, rolling off her with a muttered curse. “Fine. But if it’s not life or death, I’m firing whoever’s on the other side of that door.”
Mira pulled the sheet up to cover herself as Theo tugged on a pair of sweatpants and stalked toward the door. She watched as he yanked it open, his posture instantly shifting from relaxed to rigid.
“Daniel.”
Mira’s blood turned to ice.
Daniel stood in the doorway, his usual polished exterior slightly disheveled—his tie loose, his hair mussed, his eyes bloodshot. But the smirk on his face was as sharp as ever.
“Good morning, Theo,” Daniel drawled, his gaze flicking past him to where Mira sat frozen in the bed. “Mira.”
Theo’s jaw tightened. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
Daniel chuckled, stepping inside without invitation. “Just thought I’d stop by. See how my favorite couple is doing.” His eyes locked onto Mira, cold and calculating. “Especially since I heard some *interesting* rumors.”
Mira’s pulse spiked. She clutched the sheet tighter, her knuckles turning white.
Theo stepped in front of Daniel, blocking his view of her. “Get the fuck out of my house.”
Daniel didn’t move. “Or what? You’ll call security? Please. We both know you don’t want this getting out any more than I do.” His voice dropped, low and dangerous. “Especially not to the board.”
Theo’s hands clenched into fists. “What do you want?”
Daniel’s smirk widened. “Just a little chat. Alone.”
Theo didn’t move. “Not happening.”
Daniel sighed, shaking his head. “Fine. Then I’ll just have to make myself comfortable.” He strode past Theo, sinking into the leather armchair by the window. “Lovely view you’ve got here. Must be nice, waking up to this every morning.”
Mira’s stomach twisted. She had never seen Daniel like this—so unhinged, so *desperate*. Whatever he was here for, it wasn’t good.
Theo turned to her, his expression unreadable. “Mira, go to the bedroom.”
She hesitated. “Theo—”
“Now.”
She swallowed hard but nodded, slipping out of bed and grabbing Theo’s discarded dress shirt from the floor. She pulled it on, the fabric swallowing her, and hurried into the adjoining room, leaving the door slightly ajar so she could hear.
Daniel’s voice carried clearly. “You really think I don’t know what’s going on here?”
Theo didn’t respond.
Daniel chuckled. “Come on, Theo. You’re smarter than that. You think I didn’t notice the way you two looked at each other at the gala? The way she *touched* you?” A pause. “Or maybe you didn’t notice. Maybe you were too busy *fucking* her to see the way she flinched every time I got close.”
Mira’s breath hitched.
Theo’s voice was deadly calm. “Get to the point.”
“The point?” Daniel’s tone turned icy. “The point is, I know this is all a lie. And if you don’t want the whole world to know it, you’ll do exactly what I say.”
Silence.
Then Theo’s voice, low and lethal. “And what exactly is it that you want?”
Daniel’s laugh was sharp. “Oh, I think you know.”
---
Mira pressed a hand to her mouth, her heart pounding so hard she was sure they could hear it.
This was bad.
This was *so* much worse than she had imagined.
She had known Daniel was dangerous. She had known he wouldn’t let this go. But she hadn’t expected him to show up here. To *threaten* them.
Theo’s voice cut through her thoughts. “You’re bluffing.”
Daniel scoffed. “Am I? You really want to test that theory?”
A beat of silence.
Then Theo’s voice, tight with barely restrained fury. “What do you want?”
Daniel’s tone turned smug. “I want you to back off. The deal with Sterling Industries? It’s mine. You’re going to withdraw your bid, publicly endorse me, and step the fuck out of my way.”
Theo’s laugh was dark. “You’re delusional.”
“No,” Daniel said, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I’m *desperate*. And desperate men do desperate things.”
Mira’s hands trembled.
She had to do something.
She couldn’t let Theo lose everything because of her.
But before she could move, Theo’s voice cut through the tension like a blade.
“Get out.”
Daniel sighed. “Fine. But this isn’t over.” His footsteps echoed across the floor, then paused. “Oh, and Mira?”
She froze.
“If you think this little arrangement of yours is going to last, you’re even more naive than I thought.” His voice dripped with venom. “Theo doesn’t keep things that don’t belong to him. And you, sweetheart? You never did.”
The door slammed shut.
Mira’s breath came in short, sharp gasps.
Theo appeared in the doorway, his expression unreadable. “Mira—”
She shook her head, backing away. “Don’t.”
His brows furrowed. “Don’t what?”
“Don’t *pretend*,” she snapped, her voice breaking. “I heard everything.”
Theo’s jaw tightened. “It’s not what you think.”
“Really?” She let out a bitter laugh. “Because it sounded like he knows. Like he’s going to *ruin* you if you don’t do what he says.”
Theo stepped toward her, but she flinched back.
“Mira, listen to me—”
“No!” She pressed her hands to her temples, her vision blurring. “I can’t do this. I can’t let him destroy you because of *me*.”
Theo’s voice was low, dangerous. “He’s not going to destroy me.”
“You don’t know that!” she cried. “You don’t know what he’s capable of!”
Theo’s eyes darkened. “And you do?”
Mira’s breath hitched.
She did.
She knew exactly what Daniel was capable of.
And she knew that if Theo didn’t give him what he wanted, Daniel would make sure they both paid for it.
Theo must have seen the truth in her eyes because his expression shifted, his voice dropping to a growl. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Mira wrapped her arms around herself, her body trembling. “Nothing.”
Theo’s hands clenched into fists. “Bullshit.”
She shook her head, tears burning her eyes. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Like hell it doesn’t!” Theo grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to look at him. “Mira, if there’s something I need to know—”
“There isn’t!” she lied, her voice breaking. “Just… just let it go.”
Theo’s grip tightened. “I can’t.”
“You *have* to!” she cried. “Because if you don’t, he’s going to *ruin* you!”
Theo’s eyes searched hers, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he released her. “Then I’ll ruin him first.”
Mira’s heart stopped.
“What?”
Theo’s voice was cold, lethal. “You think I’m going to let him blackmail me? Threaten *you*?” He let out a dark laugh. “I built an empire by destroying men like him. And I’m not about to stop now.”
Mira’s stomach twisted. “Theo, no—”
“He wants a war?” Theo’s eyes burned with fury. “He’s got one.”
Mira’s breath came in short, sharp gasps. “You don’t understand. He’s not like other men. He’s—”
“Dangerous?” Theo’s voice was a growl. “So am I.”
Mira shook her head, her vision blurring with tears. “You don’t know what you’re doing.”
Theo cupped her face, his thumbs brushing away her tears. “Then tell me.”
She swallowed hard, her heart pounding. She could tell him. She could tell him everything—about Daniel, about the threats, about the way he had made her feel small and powerless for years.
But if she did, Theo would go after him. And Daniel would *destroy* him.
She couldn’t let that happen.
So she lied.
“I can’t,” she whispered.
Theo’s jaw tightened. “Mira—”
“I need to go.” She pulled away, grabbing her clothes from the floor. “I can’t be here right now.”
Theo’s voice was sharp. “Mira, stop.”
She didn’t.
She dressed quickly, her hands shaking, her heart pounding in her ears.
Theo grabbed her wrist as she reached for the door. “Don’t walk away from me.”
She turned to face him, her eyes burning. “I have to.”
“Why?”
“Because if I don’t,” she whispered, “he’s going to *hurt* you.”
Theo’s grip tightened. “Then let him try.”
Mira’s breath hitched.
She wanted to believe him.
She wanted to believe that he was strong enough, that he could protect her, that he could *win*.
But she knew Daniel.
And she knew that if Theo didn’t back down, Daniel would make sure they both paid.
So she pulled her wrist free and walked out the door.
---
Mira didn’t go home.
She couldn’t.
Not when she knew Daniel would be waiting.
Instead, she went to the one place she knew she could think—the small, quiet café near her old apartment, the one with the cracked leather booths and the barista who always remembered her order.
She slid into the back corner, her hands wrapped around a lukewarm cup of coffee, her mind racing.
She had to do something.
She couldn’t let Theo lose everything because of her.
But what could she do?
She had no power. No money. No influence.
All she had was the truth.
And the truth was dangerous.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket.
She pulled it out, her stomach dropping when she saw the name on the screen.
**Daniel.**
She hesitated, then answered.
“Hello, Mira.”
His voice was smooth, smug. Like he already knew he had won.
“What do you want?” she asked, her voice shaking.
Daniel chuckled. “Straight to the point. I like that.” A pause. “I want you to meet me.”
Mira’s pulse spiked. “Why?”
“Because we need to talk. *Alone.*”
She swallowed hard. “I have nothing to say to you.”
“Oh, I think you do,” Daniel said, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Unless you want me to tell Theo *everything*.”
Mira’s breath hitched.
She knew what he meant.
He knew about her past.
About the things she had never told Theo.
About the things she had done to survive.
“Where?” she whispered.
Daniel’s laugh was dark. “The usual place. One hour.”
The line went dead.
Mira’s hands trembled.
She knew where he meant.
The old warehouse on the outskirts of the city.
The place where he had taken her before.
The place where he had made her feel small.
Powerless.
*Trapped.*
She closed her eyes, her heart pounding.
She could run.
She could disappear.
She could leave Theo behind and never look back.
But she knew Daniel.
And she knew that if she ran, he would find her.
And he would make sure Theo paid for it.
So she made her choice.
She stood, her legs unsteady, and walked out the door.
---
The warehouse was just as she remembered it—cold, damp, reeking of mildew and decay. The flickering fluorescent lights cast long, eerie shadows across the concrete floor, and the distant drip of water echoed like a countdown.
Mira’s heels clicked against the floor as she stepped inside, her heart hammering in her chest.
Daniel stood in the center of the room, his back to her, his hands clasped behind his back.
“You came,” he said, his voice echoing in the empty space.
Mira didn’t respond.
Daniel turned, his smirk sharp as a blade. “I knew you would.”
Mira’s hands clenched into fists. “What do you want?”
Daniel chuckled, stepping closer. “Straight to the point. I like that.” He tilted his head, his eyes raking over her. “You look good, Mira. Theo’s been taking care of you, I see.”
Mira’s stomach twisted. “Cut the bullshit, Daniel. What do you *want*?”
Daniel’s smile faded, his expression turning cold. “I want you to leave him.”
Mira’s breath hitched.
Daniel stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I want you to walk away. Now. Before this goes any further.”
Mira shook her head. “Why?”
“Because you don’t belong with him,” Daniel said, his voice sharp. “You belong with *me*.”
Mira let out a bitter laugh. “You’re delusional.”
Daniel’s eyes flashed. “Am I?” He grabbed her wrist, yanking her against him. “You think he cares about you? You think he *loves* you?” His grip tightened, his fingers digging into her skin. “He doesn’t. He’s using you. Just like he uses *everyone*.”
Mira tried to pull away, but Daniel’s grip was iron. “Let go of me.”
Daniel’s laugh was dark. “Or what? You’ll scream?” He leaned in, his breath hot against her ear. “No one’s coming to save you, Mira. Not this time.”
Mira’s pulse spiked, her heart pounding in her ears.
She had known this was a trap.
She had known Daniel wouldn’t let her walk away.
But she had come anyway.
Because she had to.
Because she couldn’t let Theo get hurt.
Daniel’s free hand slid up her arm, his fingers tracing the curve of her shoulder. “You know, I always wondered what it would take to break you,” he murmured. “And now I know.”
Mira’s breath hitched. “What?”
Daniel’s smile was slow, cruel. “Love.”
Mira’s stomach twisted.
Daniel’s grip tightened. “You love him, don’t you?”
Mira didn’t respond.
Daniel’s laugh was sharp. “Of course you do. And that’s your weakness.” His fingers slid up to her throat, his thumb pressing against her pulse. “Because now I know exactly how to destroy you.”
Mira’s breath came in short, sharp gasps. “What do you want?”
Daniel’s smile widened. “I want you to leave him. Tonight. And if you don’t…” His thumb pressed harder, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I’ll make sure he *regrets* ever meeting you.”
Mira’s vision blurred.
She knew what that meant.
She knew what Daniel was capable of.
And she knew that if she didn’t do what he said, Theo would pay the price.
So she made her choice.
She nodded.
Daniel’s smile turned triumphant. “Good girl.”
He released her, stepping back.
Mira rubbed her wrist, her skin throbbing where he had gripped her.
Daniel pulled a phone from his pocket, tossing it to her. “There’s a car waiting outside. It’ll take you to the airport. You have a flight to Paris in two hours.”
Mira’s breath hitched. “Paris?”
Daniel’s smile was sharp. “Consider it a fresh start. Somewhere Theo will never find you.”
Mira’s hands trembled. “And if I don’t go?”
Daniel’s expression darkened. “Then I’ll make sure Theo loses everything. His company. His reputation. *You.*” He stepped closer, his voice a whisper. “And trust me, Mira. You don’t want to see what happens when I’m *angry*.”
Mira’s heart pounded.
She had no choice.
She had to go.
She had to leave Theo behind.
For his own good.
She swallowed hard, nodding. “Fine.”
Daniel’s smile widened. “Good girl.” He turned, walking toward the door. “Don’t keep the car waiting.”
Mira didn’t move.
She stood there, her heart shattering in her chest, her vision blurring with tears.
She had to do this.
She had to leave.
For Theo.
Even if it destroyed her.
Daniel paused at the door, glancing back at her. “Oh, and Mira?”
She didn’t respond.
Daniel’s smile was sharp. “If you ever come back… I’ll kill him.”
Then he was gone.
And Mira was alone.
---
Mira didn’t remember walking to the car.
She didn’t remember the drive to the airport.
She didn’t remember boarding the plane.
All she remembered was the way her heart had shattered when she had made the choice to leave.
To protect Theo.
Even if it meant losing him forever.
The plane took off, the city shrinking beneath her, and Mira pressed her forehead against the cold window, her tears falling silently.
She had done the right thing.
She knew she had.
But that didn’t make it hurt any less.
She closed her eyes, her heart aching.
Theo would be angry.
He would hate her.
But at least he would be *safe.*
And that was all that mattered.
---
**End of Chapter 12**