Chapter 16: Stay with me.

The morning light filtered through thin curtains, pale and cold. Selina sat at her vanity, brushing her hair in slow, rhythmic strokes, the movement mechanical. The mirror reflected a woman she barely knew anymore, eyes shadowed by secrets, lips that trembled even when she forced them to smile. Somewhere between Alan’s taunting charm and Karl’s fragile loyalty, she had lost the version of herself that once believed she could stay untouched by all this.

Downstairs, she could already hear Alan’s laughter. That deep, confident sound carried easily through the marble halls of the house, a sound that demanded attention. He was talking to Rosa, teasing her about something trivial, his voice low and easy. Selina felt her pulse rise at the sound. He had promised to behave. And yet… this was Alan.

She took a slow breath and rose, smoothing the pale blue dress she had chosen deliberately, soft, harmless, the sort of thing a dutiful wife might wear. When she descended the stairs, Alan was standing near the kitchen doorway, sleeves rolled up, one hand braced casually on the frame.

“Morning,” he said, smiling like he owned the air she breathed. “You look… restful.”

“I hardly slept.”

“Ah,” he said, stepping closer. “Restless conscience or restless dreams?”

“Neither,” she murmured, brushing past him. “Just too much on my mind.”

He followed her into the dining room, close enough that she could feel his presence without a single touch. “You should learn to relax. You’re too tense. People will notice.”

Selina poured herself a cup of coffee, keeping her voice low. “Nathan notices everything.”

“Exactly,” Alan said, taking a seat opposite her. “Which is why you should act normal. Smile at him. Ask about his work. Be the perfect wife.”

She looked up sharply. “And you?”

He tilted his head, amused. “I’ll do what I do best, make you forget him exists.”

The line was bold, but his tone was measured, almost lazy. There was something about the way Alan could make danger sound like a joke that both terrified and thrilled her.

Footsteps echoed down the corridor. Nathan entered, impeccably dressed as always, his expression neutral but alert. His gaze moved from Selina to Alan and back again.

“I wasn’t aware you were joining us for breakfast,” he said.

Alan smiled politely. “I thought I’d check in before heading out. There’s a delivery expected for the greenhouse.”

Nathan nodded slowly. “Good. I like a man who pays attention to his responsibilities.”

Selina held her cup steady, her hands trembling only slightly. The air between the two men was sharp, each word wrapped in subtle challenge.

Nathan turned to her. “You’re quiet this morning.”

“Just tired,” she replied softly.

He studied her for a moment longer before looking away. “Try to rest, then. You’ve seemed… distracted lately.”

Alan hid a smirk behind his coffee cup.

After Nathan left for his study, Selina rounded on him. “You’re provoking him.”

“Am I?” Alan said lightly. “I was just making conversation.”

“You’re enjoying this.”

He leaned closer, voice low and deliberate. “I enjoy watching you try to keep control. You wear fear beautifully.”

“Stop it.”

He smiled. “You say that every time.”

The sound of footsteps made them both turn. Karl appeared at the back door, holding a tray of cut flowers. His expression changed when he saw Alan, tense, wary. “Good morning, Mrs. Allen,” he said stiffly.

“Good morning, Karl.”

Alan leaned back in his chair, watching the gardener with thinly veiled amusement. “Early start?”

Karl nodded. “Always.”

Selina could feel the friction building between them, invisible but dangerous. She tried to change the subject, asking about the roses, the weather, anything to ease the tension. But Karl’s responses were curt, his eyes flickering toward Alan every few seconds.

When Alan finally left the room, Selina exhaled, setting down her cup.

“He’s mocking me,” Karl muttered.

“You’re imagining things.”

“No, I’m not,” Karl said, stepping closer. “He looks at you like he owns you.”

Selina froze. “Karl, ”

“He’s using you. And you let him.” His tone cracked with something between anger and despair. “You think he cares about you? He doesn’t. He’s just playing his father’s wife like a game.”

Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Keep your voice down.”

Karl took another step forward, his jaw tight. “Do you even see what’s happening? You’re letting him drag you into his world. It’s not safe.”

The sincerity in his voice cut deeper than she expected. She turned away, unable to meet his gaze. “You don’t understand.”

“I understand more than you think,” he said bitterly. “I see the way you look at him. Like you can’t decide whether you hate him or love him.”

She swallowed hard. “You should go.”

“Is that what you really want?”

The question lingered in the air. Selina didn’t answer.

When Karl finally left, she sank into a chair, head in her hands. The walls of the house felt closer now, the air thicker. Every man around her seemed to be building a cage, Alan with his games, Nathan with his suspicion, Karl with his need to protect her.

By noon, Alan reappeared, calling her to the library. She followed reluctantly, closing the door behind her.

“You look upset,” he said. “Did the gardener say something?”

“He’s worried about me.”

Alan smiled faintly. “That’s sweet. But he doesn’t need to be.”

“Alan, he’s, ”

“Jealous?” Alan interrupted. “Of course he is. Men like him always are. They think devotion gives them ownership.”

Selina shook her head. “You’re cruel.”

He walked closer, his voice soft. “I’m honest. There’s a difference.”

“Honest about what?”

He looked her straight in the eye. “About the fact that I want you. And I don’t care who knows it.”

Her breath caught. “You should care. Nathan, ”

“Nathan’s too busy controlling everyone to see what’s right in front of him.”

Selina turned away, but Alan caught her wrist lightly, his tone changing. “I’m not going to ruin you, Selina. But I won’t pretend I don’t want more than stolen moments.”

She stared at him, pulse racing. “You don’t know what you’re asking.”

“Maybe not,” he said softly. “But I know what I’m offering. Something real.”

“Real?” She almost laughed. “You call this real? Lies, hiding, pretending, ”

“It’s real because it makes you feel alive.”

The words hit her like a confession she didn’t want to hear. He released her wrist, stepping back, studying her face. “You could leave him, you know.”

She looked at him in disbelief. “And go where?”

“With me.”

She almost laughed again, this time bitterly. “You’d get bored in a week.”

Alan’s eyes darkened. “Try me.”

Before she could respond, a faint buzz sounded from the corner table. Her phone lit up. Nathan.

Alan’s smile faded. “Answer it.”

She hesitated, heart pounding as she picked up the call.

“Selina,” Nathan’s voice came through, calm but edged. “Where are you?”

“In the library,” she said carefully.

“Good. I need to see you. Bring your phone.”

The line went dead. Selina looked at Alan, panic flaring.

He gave a crooked smile. “Don’t worry. Just act natural.”

She left quickly, clutching her phone, her steps echoing through the corridor. When she entered Nathan’s study, he was standing by the window, holding his own phone.

“Did you get a message earlier?” he asked without turning around.

Selina frowned. “No.”

He turned then, eyes sharp. “Strange. Someone sent me this.” He held up the screen. A text from an unknown number. She’s not alone. Check her library.

Her breath caught.

Nathan studied her face. “Care to explain?”

She forced herself to meet his gaze. “A prank, probably.”

His silence stretched long enough to make her skin crawl. Then he smiled faintly, the gesture too smooth to be genuine.

“Perhaps,” he said. “But still, be careful who you spend time with. Some people have… dangerous motives.”

“Yes,” she whispered. “I know.”

Nathan’s eyes lingered on her another moment before he returned to his desk, dismissing her with a gesture. She left the room, pulse hammering in her throat.

Out in the hall, Alan was gone. Only a faint echo of his laughter remained in her memory, mixed with Karl’s warning and Nathan’s suspicion.

She realized then that she was no longer the one being hunted, she was the storm they were circling, each man waiting for her to break first.

And deep down, Selina feared that she already had.