Morning sunlight spilled gently across the mansion's master bedroom, brushing Ariana's cheeks with warmth. She stirred slowly, eyes fluttering open. The first thing she felt was the faint scent of Damian still lingering on the sheets clean, masculine, grounding.
He had already left the room.
Of course he had.
Damian Steel always rose before dawn. But something felt different today a strange, warm calmness in the air, as if he had lingered longer than usual before leaving.
Ariana sat up, brushing her hair away from her face. She took a breath, steadying herself. Since moving into Damian's master bedroom, she had been learning how to adapt to the quiet luxury, the safety, and, unintentionally, the loneliness whenever he left for work.
She padded to the walk-in closet.
Her clothes the ones she bought with her own money hung neatly at one end. To the other side were Damian's perfectly arranged shirts, suits, and coats. The man's presence filled everything without overpowering her. He had silently made space for her in every corner of his life, even if neither of them said it aloud.
She chose a simple soft-blue dress and stepped into the bathroom to refresh for the day.
*****
STEEL CORPORATION
Damian stepped out of the private elevator, Evan right behind him, tablet already in hand.
"Board meeting at nine. Directors have been gathered," Evan reported.
Damian simply nodded, his pace smooth and quiet yet every staff member who caught sight of him stiffened instinctively. His presence carried an authority that didn't need words.
They walked past the secretary's office. She stood instantly.
"Good morning, Mr. Steel. Good morning, Mr. Hale."
Damian didn't slow down. He didn't need to. Evan returned the greeting for both of them.
Inside the board meeting room, everyone stood the moment Damian entered. The directors looked tense as always.
Damian sat at the head of the table, voice calm but clipped.
"Begin."
Reports streamed in: quarterly performance, international partnerships, minor internal conflicts. Damian listened without expression, tapping a finger lightly on the table a warning sign most executives knew well.
One director made a hesitant suggestion about shifting investments.
Damian raised his eyes.
Cold. Sharp.
The man shut up mid-sentence.
Evan hid a smirk beside him. Even after years at Damian's side, he still admired how one look could silence a room full of powerful people.
Thirty minutes later, the meeting ended in absolute, breathless silence.
"Inspection," Damian said to Evan.
Evan nodded immediately. "Yes, sir."
The car rolled into the east facility. Workers froze when they recognized Damian Steel. They bowed deeply, terrified but respectful.
Damian walked through the facility with a straight posture, eyes scanning details others would miss. He noted equipment wear, production speeds, even the body language of supervisors.
"Replace that machine," Damian said quietly.
Evan scribbled instantly. "I'll order a new one today."
"Good."
Damian continued walking. His aura alone forced managers to follow him like obedient shadows afraid to speak unless addressed.
Inspections finished efficiently Damian never wasted time and by noon, they were already returning to Steel Corporation.
****
MANSION – SAME TIME
Ariana sat in her art room, soft music playing as she carefully sketched the outlines of a new piece. Art had become her quiet escape something she used to dream of studying but never had the chance.
Now… she finally breathed again.
Her phone vibrated.
Grandma:
Ria, my child, how are you doing today? Did you sleep well?
Ariana smiled, warmth softening her features.
Ariana:
I'm fine, Grandma. I just finished sketching something. I miss you.
Grandma:
I miss you too, my dear. You should visit soon.
Ariana's heart squeezed. She wanted to. She really did.
But how could she explain her new life without revealing the truth?
She typed slowly.
Ariana:
I will. Soon, I promise.
Before she could continue the conversation, her phone buzzed again.
Damian.
She blinked. He rarely called during work hours unless it was necessary.
She answered quickly. "Hello?"
His voice came warm, deep, softer than usual.
"Did you eat?"
Her lips parted in surprise. "I will soon."
"Don't forget," he said. "I'll be home later than usual."
"Okay. Stay safe," she murmured without thinking.
There was a pause.
A very soft one.
Ariana didn't know, but behind that silence, Damian's lips had curled into a faint smile.
"I will."
The call ended.
Ariana stared at her phone, cheeks pink. Why did her heart react like that?
****
EVENING – MANSION
Damian stepped inside, unbuttoning the cuffs of his shirt. His tie was gone a sign he'd relaxed a little before coming home.
Ariana stood in the living room, startled to see him earlier than expected.
"Welcome back," she whispered.
Damian walked past her at first like he always did.
Then he stopped.
Turned back.
Looked at her.
And something in his gaze softened.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
Ariana could barely breathe.