Chapter 114 The Passion Between Us.

Chapter 114 The Passion Between Us.
Ginnie

The newspaper trembled slightly between my fingers as I lowered it, staring at the headline again as though the words might somehow change if I read them one more time.

DRAVEN FAMILY FACTORY DESTROYED IN DEVASTATING FIRE

My eyes moved across the article.

The factory had been destroyed.

The heart of the Draven family's business empire in Bleeding Rose…

Gone.

Slowly, I lowered the newspaper and let out a quiet sigh.

I didn’t have to think too hard to know who had done it.

Adrian.

But what I couldn’t understand was why he had kept his move hidden from me.

Was it because he didn't trust me?

Or had he simply decided that this was his revenge, and I was only supposed to watch from the sidelines?

My jaw tightened.

Five years of promising each other that the people who had destroyed our lives would pay.

And now Adrian had made his first move without saying a word to me.

I picked up the newspaper again and looked down at the photograph beneath the headline.

Without warning, a name flashed through my mind.

Varkos.

I wondered how he had felt when he saw his entire world burning down right in front of his eyes.

For one ridiculous second, pity slipped through the cracks in my anger. I immediately pushed it down.

Why should I feel sorry for him?

He and his entire family deserved it.

Before I could sink deeper into my thoughts, I folded the newspaper and placed it beside me.

I was about to stand when a soft voice called from behind me.

“My lady?”

My head snapped toward the sound.

One of the household maids stood several feet away, her hands clasped together.

“Yes?”

“There is a gentleman here insisting on seeing you.”

My brows drew together.

“Who?”

The maid hesitated for a moment before answering.

“Mr. Varkos Draven.”

The moment the name left her lips, every muscle in my body locked. My fingers tightened around the newspaper.

Of all the people who could have come looking for me late at night, it had to be him.

I slowly placed the newspaper beside me and stood up from my chair.

“You can tell him to come.”

The maid nodded and walked away. 

I took a slow breath, forcing myself to remain calm. Whatever Varkos wanted, I couldn't let him see fear.

A few minutes later, footsteps approached. The moment our gazes met, his expression hardened.

His eyes were dark with anger, his shirt slightly rumpled, as though he had spent the last several hours fighting battles no one else could see.

For several seconds, neither of us spoke. Then his voice broke the silence.

“Was it you?”

I stared at him.

“What?”

His jaw clenched so tightly I feared his teeth might crack.

“Did you burn down my family's factory?”

The words hit me like a physical blow. For one brief second, genuine shock crossed my face.

He thought I had done it.

Of course.

The factory had burned down shortly after my return to Bleeding Rose. And I was married to Adrian.

It wasn't difficult to see why Varkos would suspect me.

“I didn't do it.”

A humourless laugh escaped him.

“And you expect me to believe that?”

“Believe whatever you want to.” I shot back. “It doesn’t make any difference to me.”

Varkos didn’t answer.

Instead, he stepped closer until there was barely any space between us.

“You returned to Bleeding Rose after five years.” His voice dropped to a low whisper. “You’re also married to the most powerful investor currently pouring money into this city. Then suddenly, my family's factory burns to the ground.”

A faint smile curved his lips.

“Do you really expect me to believe that's a coincidence?”

“I don’t care about what you think.”

For the briefest moment, silence settled between us. Then his voice broke through it.

“You used to look away when you lied to me.” His eyes moved slowly across my face. “But now you can stand there and look straight into my eyes.”

My throat tightened.

“Maybe five years has changed me.”

“Or maybe Adrian changed you.”

“Don't you dare bring my husband into this!”

The words slipped out before I could stop them, echoing through the air. 

For a moment Varkos simply stared at me. Then he leaned closer, close enough that I could feel the warmth of his body.

“I searched everywhere for you, Ginnie…” His voice softened. “Every place I thought you might have gone.”

A bitter laugh escaped me.

“Why?” I shook my head. “You’re the one who said you never wanted to see my face—“

The words caught in my throat as he lifted his hand and cupped my cheek. I should have stepped back.

Instead, I froze.

For five years, I had tried to forget what his touch felt like. But my traitorous body still remembered.

“Ginnie—“

“Don't.”

My voice cut through his before he could finish.

“Tell me you don't feel anything.”

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Without warning, his face moved closer, and his forehead touched mine.

My breath caught.

For one suspended moment, neither of us moved. Then his lips brushed against mine—

HONK!

The sharp sound of a car horn exploded through the silence. I jerked back immediately, putting several feet between us.

Varkos slowly lowered his hand from my cheek and straightened his shirt. I turned away, pressing a trembling hand against my chest.

What had I almost done?

I couldn't allow myself to think about it right now.

“We should go inside,” Varkos said quietly.

Without another word, he turned and walked into the mansion. I remained where I was for a moment, trying to steady my breathing before finally following him inside.

By the time I entered the sitting room, Adrian was already there. He stood near the fireplace, calmly removing his coat. His eyes immediately landed on me before shifting to Varkos.

“Varkos.” Adrian's voice was calm, almost casual. “What brings you to my house at this late hour?”

Varkos stood several feet away.

“I've thought about your offer.”

My brows pulled together.

Offer?

What offer is he talking about?

I glanced at Adrian, but his expression remained unreadable. Before I could ask, Varkos extended his hand toward him.

“I accept.”

Adrian took it immediately, their hands locked in a firm handshake. I stood quietly in the corner, my eyes moving between the two men.

I didn't understand.

What offer was Varkos talking about?

And why had Adrian never mentioned it to me?

A cold feeling settled in my stomach.

Adrain released Varkos’s hand, his expression calm as ever. But there was something in his eyes.

Something I couldn’t quite understand.

Whatever Adrian was planning, I had a feeling the factory was only the beginning.

And somehow…

Varkos had just stepped directly into his trap.