Morning in the Steel mansion carried a rare peace.
Ariana opened the curtains of the art room, letting the golden sunlight fall on her unfinished sketch a soft portrait of a flower she remembered from her childhood. Painting had become her quiet heartbeat, something that reminded her of who she used to be before this strange, luxurious new life.
She picked up her brush again, humming faintly.
A knock sounded on her door.
She turned. Damian stood there, already dressed for work. Dark suit, cold aura — but his gaze softened for a moment when he saw her.
"You're awake," he said quietly.
"I've been painting," she replied, embarrassed for no reason at all.
He walked closer. His eyes moved slowly over her piece, and for the first time, Ariana saw something rare in his expression.
Something like… admiration?
"You're talented," he murmured.
Ariana blinked. Praise? From him?
Before she could respond, Damian's phone buzzed. His eyes flicked to the screen, sharpness returning instantly.
"Mr. Sato," he said, stepping aside.
Ariana watched his back tense shoulders tightening, voice dropping into that cold register he used when something serious occurred.
When he returned, his expression was calmer, but different. Protected. Guarded.
"Is everything alright?" she asked, careful.
"Yes," he lied gently. "But I won't be staying at the office long today."
She didn't know it, but Mr. Sato had just informed him:
Someone had been snooping near the mansion's perimeter.
Security footage showed a vehicle circling twice.
A stranger had taken pictures.
Damian didn't tell her.
He never would not until he handled it.
But because of that, he made a decision on the spot.
"Get dressed," he said. "You're coming with me today."
Ariana blinked. "To… Steel Corporation?"
"Yes."
Just one word. Firm. Final.
****
STEEL CORPORATION — EXECUTIVE FLOOR
The private elevator rose silently. Damian stood beside Ariana, hands behind his back. Evan was in front, already working through emails.
When the doors opened, the secretary stood so fast she nearly knocked over her chair.
"Good morning, Mr. Steel" Her eyes landed on Ariana and froze.
Completely froze.
Evan suppressed a grin.
The entire top floor had heard rumors of a hidden wife… but no one expected Damian Steel to walk in with her on his arm.
They walked through the floor, and every employee bowed instantly, eyes wide in disbelief.
Damian ignored them all.
Ariana, dressed simply but elegantly, moved quietly beside him unaware that half of Aridanne's elite women would have attacked her if they could see her now.
Inside his office, Damian turned to her.
"Stay here," he instructed. "Evan will be with you. I have a short meeting."
Ariana nodded, though a part of her felt nervous.
Evan flashed her a reassuring smile. "You'll be fine. No one dares approach this floor unless Mr. Steel allows it."
*****
Inside the meeting room, directors stiffened as Damian entered.
The head of finance cleared his throat nervously.
"Sir, about the new overseas branch
"Rejected," Damian said without looking up. "Proceed with my original plan."
The director flinched.
Evan, watching from outside the glass panel, hid a smirk again.
But then Evan's tablet buzzed a message from security.
Employee from another department attempting to access CEO floor. Claims he is delivering documents. Male, mid-twenties. Insistent.
Evan's eyes sharpened.
****
The moment Evan stepped out, he saw the man tall, neatly dressed, handsome in a soft way speaking to the secretary.
"I'm just here to drop documents," the man said with an easy smile. "There's no need to panic."
Ariana looked up from where she stood near the window.
Their eyes met.
The man blinked, stunned at her beauty. "Oh… hello."
Ariana offered a polite nod, nothing more.
But Evan saw the way the man's gaze lingered too long, too appreciative.
Before Evan could act, the private elevator chimed.
Damian stepped out.
His eyes immediately locked onto the man.
One moment of silence.
One cold stare.
The man paled instantly, stepping back as if the air around him turned to ice.
"S-sir… I was only—"
"Leave," Damian said quietly.
Not loud.
Not threatening.
Just deadly calm.
The man ran.
The entire floor exhaled.
Ariana blinked. "He was just delivering something, right?"
Damian did not look at her.
"He stared too long."
Ariana's cheeks warmed. "Damian… you can't be jealous over that"
He turned his eyes to her, and the words died on her tongue.
"I can," he said.
And he meant it.
****
By the time they reached the mansion in the evening, Damian's phone buzzed again. This time it was Evan.
"Sir, we traced the vehicle from this morning. It belongs to a freelance photographer hired by an unknown source."
Damian's jaw tightened.
"Handle it."
"Yes, sir."
No arguing.
No commentary.
Evan knew one look from Damian was enough.
Ariana, unaware of anything, walked ahead toward the living room, humming softly.
Damian watched her for a moment the gentle innocence in her steps, the softness of her presence.
He tightened his grip on his suit jacket.
No threat would come near her.
Not on his watch.
Not while he still breathed.