The morning sunlight spilled through the tall glass windows of the Lawrence mansion, casting gentle stripes across the marble floor. Everything felt unusually calm almost too calm. Mia had just finished setting a tray of fruit and medication in Aiden's study when the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from the grand entrance.
She paused.
Those footsteps did not belong to Mr. Lawrence, Mrs. Lawrence, or any of the regular staff.
A moment later, Mila's voice drifted through the hallway soft, overly sweet, suspiciously cheerful.
"Aiden! Guess who's here to see you?"
Aiden frowned in his wheelchair as he exited the elevator. "Mila, who...."
Then he saw him.
Dallas Lawrence.
Tall, perfectly groomed, dressed in a navy business suit, and wearing the familiar smug smile Aiden had not missed. His cousin leaned casually against a column like he owned the entire mansion.
"Aiden," Dallas said warmly, stepping forward with his arms open. "Cousin. It's been a long time."
Aiden's grip tightened on his wheels. "Not long enough."
Dallas chuckled, pretending the tension didn't exist. "Still sharp-tongued, I see. Good. You'll need it. The company isn't exactly stable right now."
Mia, standing behind the staircase railings, watched silently. Something inside her fluttered uneasily. She didn't know Dallas but everything about him felt wrong. His smile didn't reach his eyes. His energy filled the room in a way that made her skin crawl.
Mrs. Lawrence hurried down the stairs with a delighted gasp.
"Oh, Dallas, dear! I didn't know you were coming. What a pleasant surprise."
Pleasant for her—terrifying for Aiden.
Dallas bowed slightly. "Aunty, I came because I heard Aiden is finally responding to treatment. I thought it would be the perfect time to help him transition back into managing the company."
Aiden's jaw clenched.
"I never asked for your help."
"Oh but it's family," Dallas said lightly, "and besides… the board might soon require stronger leadership."
Mila's eyes brightened with interest. She moved closer to Dallas, smiling too widely.
"Wow, you're so responsible, Dallas. Maybe you two can work together again, like old times!"
Aiden shot her a cold look.
"There's a reason we don't work together."
Dallas laughed again, stepping around Aiden's wheelchair like he was inspecting a broken toy.
"So, cousin… how's the recovery? I heard something about leg movement."
Aiden stiffened. "It's going well."
"Oh? Thanks to who?" Dallas said casually, glancing at Mia with sudden, sharp interest.
Mia lowered her gaze. She didn't like the way he looked at her like she was a tool, a puzzle piece he was trying to fit into a scheme.
Mrs. Lawrence beamed proudly. "Our Mia has been wonderful with him. She's been helping your cousin progress faster than the doctor expected!"
Dallas nodded slowly.
"So the maid is responsible for the improvement? Interesting."
Mia felt a chill crawl down her spine.
Aiden moved slightly, positioning his wheelchair closer to her subtle, protective.
Dallas noticed. And he smirked.
"Well, Aiden… I'll be staying for a while. There's too much at stake with the company. And besides…" He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice.
"I want to see how much you've truly recovered."
There was a dangerous undertone in his words one only Aiden caught.
Mia blinked, confused. She didn't know why the atmosphere suddenly felt like a battlefield.
Dallas stepped away, hands in his pockets.
"Let's have dinner later. We have a lot to talk about."
And with that, he walked toward the guest wing, leaving a trail of tension in the air.
Mila followed after him like a puppy.
Mrs. Lawrence exhaled deeply.
"What a relief… he'll help stabilize the company."
Aiden stared after Dallas, expression darkening.
"No. He's here for something else."
Mia approached cautiously.
"Are you… okay?"
Aiden didn't look at her.
"Be careful around him."
She swallowed. "Why?"
He finally met her eyes.
"Because Dallas doesn't come anywhere unless he wants something. And when he wants something…" His voice dropped.
"He destroys anything that stands in his way."
Mia felt her pulse quicken.
She didn't know the truth yet.
She didn't know that the man who had walked in so confidently was the same man who caused the brake failure that led to Aiden's accident… and the death of her parents.
But soon…
Dallas' return would start the chain reaction that unraveled everything.