Chapter 24 23
Soraya's POV
“You’re going back. I’m calling Aunt Ronnie right now.”
Emily’s eyes flew wide. “No! You can’t do this, let go of me!” she cried, her voice frantic, echoing down the hall as Darius dragged her.
“Aunt! Kim! Dante!” Emily shrieked, calling out to everyone like the whole house was her army.
Darius didn’t so much as slow down. He marched straight ahead.
Mrs. Opaline hurried forward, “Wait, Darius, wait!” she called. She reached him just as we entered the living room, placing a gentle hand on his arm.
He stopped but didn’t release Emily.
“Please, relax. Wait,” Mrs Opaline said softly. “Darius, you can’t just send her away like she’s some criminal. She’s your cousin, and she came to spend the holiday with us.”
Emily nodded frantically, like a child begging for rescue.
But Darius’s glare at her was merciless. “She’s causing a nuisance in this house,” he said flatly. “You just saw what she tried to do to Soraya. Are you good with that?”
Mrs. Opaline shook her head slowly, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Definitely not. But I don’t think we should just send her away.”
“Yes, Darius, please listen to her,” Emily chimed in quickly.
“Shut up.” Darius cut her off sharply.
Mrs. Opaline put a firm hand on Darius’ arm. “Darius, relax. You know you’re not supposed to lose your cool. Please, let me talk to her.” Darius clenched his jaw, then harshly released Emily’s wrist. He turned and walked away.
It had been two days since the incident, and by some miracle, I hadn’t crossed paths with Emily. I knew it was only temporary before she cooked up more trouble. Girls like her didn’t just vanish.
She was probably cooking up something in that twisted little mind of hers. But for now, I had air in my lungs and peace in my head, and I was going to take it.
That peace, however, didn’t last long.
Apparently, Darius wanted to see me. About what? No idea. Which was why I now found myself walking to his study room, my nerves were practically all over the place and my heart was racing.
I opened the door slowly, and there he was, casually seated behind his desk, spinning slightly on his swivel chair as though he owned the world. His gaze locked onto me the second I stepped inside.
Heat rushed to my cheeks. I tried to ignore it, 'Don't be stupid, Soraya,” I muttered under my breath.
Forcing my steps steady, I walked toward him and sank into the chair opposite his desk, pretending I didn’t notice how his lips formed a smile the moment I did.
“You’re not going to say good morning to your mate?”
The word mate ignited something in me, I didn’t want to name.
I lifted a brow at him, trying to keep my voice even. “Good morning,” I muttered.
Darius leaned back in his chair, clearly amused. His eyes lingered on me like he knew I was heated under that gaze.
My eyes travelled up to his face, my heart skipping a beat before I forced the words out. “Why did you send for me?”
Darius leaned forward, his elbows resting on the desk. “Well, because I’ve made preparations for you to go to college.”
“College?” The word escaped my throat. I froze, my stomach tightening. “What…what do you mean?”
He threw one arm casually against the backrest. “I got some information about you. Realized you stopped at high school… back at the orphanage. And so, I’ve spoken to the board of directors. All you have to do is try to pass the entrance exam, and you’ll get admitted.”
My mouth went dry. My mind swirled with a thousand thoughts, tripping over each other so fast I couldn’t catch a single one. College was something I had never dared to imagine. Something I had quietly buried along with the rest of my impossible dreams. And yet here he was, casually placing it in my hands.
I felt really excited about it, and my heart was racing so much. But I tried to hide it, masking my face.
“Why are you doing this?”
He cocked his head, almost as if amused by the question. “Why wouldn’t I do it?”
“I mean…” I thought for a bit, not even knowing what to say. “Why would you want to send me to college?”
His eyes softened slightly, though his tone stayed the same. “Why wouldn’t I want to send my mate to college?”
I swallowed hard. The word mate again. My chest tightened. “I thought I disgusted you just a while ago.” I said, referring to when he said I was a girl from the brothel.
A frown came across his face.
“We already talked about that. I apologized. Don’t bring it back up.”
I sighed, sagging my shoulders. “Fine.”
“Thank you,” I mumbled, the words escaped before I could overthink them.
Darius’’ lips curved into a small smile. “Hmm, it’s nothing.”
I don't know why my cheeks heated at his smile, my fingers curling against the armrest. “When… when do I have to take the exam?”
“Oh, well…” he leaned back, folding his arms. “You have to take the exam in three days.”
I blinked, sitting straighter. “What? Three days?”
“Yes.” He raised a brow. “I know it’s a little sudden, but they’re admitting freshers soon, and the exam is set for three days. You’ll be fine.”
Three days was a really short time to prepare for an exam. I don't know if I could make it. I felt tense already.
“All you have to do is study. You won’t be bothered. You won’t have to do any work, just stay in your room. I’ve already sent a couple of maids to get you all the books you’ll need. Just try to study them.”
I stared at him, my mouth slightly open but no words forming. Just three days.
Finally, I nodded. “Hmm,” I managed, swallowing hard.
I had three days to study for an entrance exam that could change everything.
And for the first time in years, I realized I wasn’t afraid of the challenge. I was afraid of failing him.