Chapter 89 Chains of Gold
Aria’s POV
The door closed behind Melissa and Gavin, leaving the apartment in sudden quiet.
I stood there for a moment, my arms still warm from where Melissa had hugged me, my eyes still wet from crying.
“He loves her,” I said softly to the empty space where they’d been standing.
“Yes.”
I turned to find Kane watching me from his position by the window. His expression was unreadable as always, but something in his eyes was softer now.
“Gavin didn’t know how to love,” Kane continued, his voice quiet. “I’m happy he’s freeing himself from all the walls he built.”
He paused, his gaze distant.
“Although she’s now his greatest weakness.”
The words hung heavy in the air. Kane’s lips curved into something that might have been a smile, but it looked sad. Like he understood the weight of what loving someone truly meant in their world. A world I don’t think I’ll ever really understand.
I wiped away one last tear and turned to face him fully.
“Are you really planning to keep me here?” I asked.
He met my eyes without hesitation. “Yes.”
“I eat a lot,” I said, lifting my chin slightly. His mouth twitched. “It’s a good thing I’m rich then.”
“The fuck”. I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “And … uhm sometimes I have to go to my mentor’s house,” I continued, crossing my arms. “I’m into art. I study with him twice a week. I can’t just abandon that.”
“I don’t mind taking you,” Kane said easily. “I’m into art as well.”
“Really?” I asked. Not like I was really surprised. I saw a lot of expensive rare pieces on the wall.
“Really.” He moved away from the window, coming closer. “Who is your mentor? I might know him.”
I smiled and sat down on the couch, pulling my legs underneath me. “Vincent Kane.”
Kane stopped mid-step.He froze completely.
“What?” I asked, sitting up straighter. “What’s wrong?”
He stared at me for a long moment, then his smile returned, it was much wider this time. He usually smiled with his whole teeth, well if I had teeth like that I’ll do the same.
“Nothing,” he said mischievously. “Nothing’s wrong.”
“Kane…”
But he was already turning away, walking toward what I assumed was the kitchen. “Are you hungry? I should make you something to eat. You barely ate yesterday.”
“Wait.” I stood up quickly. “Don’t just walk away. What was that reaction? Do you know Vincent?”
He didn’t answer, just kept walking.
I followed him, my bare feet silent on the hardwood floors.
“Kane, seriously. What’s going on? Do you know my mentor or not?”
He opened the refrigerator, pulling out ingredients with practiced efficiency. Eggs. Vegetables. Cheese.
“Kane.” I moved to stand directly in his line of sight. “Talk to me.”
His hands stilled on the counter. He looked at me finally, really looked at me, and something in his expression made my breath catch.
“Vincent Kane,” he said softly, “is my father.”
My mouth fell open.
“Your… what?”
——
Gavin’s POV
I stood in the doorway of Diana’s bedroom, watching her pack the last of her things.I cleared my throat.
She glanced up, a bright smile crossed her face before she returned to her packing.“I’ll send two guards to accompany you,” I said, breaking the silence. “For your safety. Please accept them.”
She nodded. “That’s thoughtful. Thank you.”
Then there was even more silence, I watched her fold another shirt gently.
“Diana.”
“Hmm?”
“I told you this by the beach, but a lot of things came up.” I kept my voice even. Calm. “We need to talk about this relationship.”
Her hands stilled.
She set down the shirt she’d been holding and turned to face me.
Before I could say anything she quickly closed the distance between us.She grabbed my collar and pulled me down, slamming her lips against mine.
The force of it knocked me off balance. My back hit the bed and she was on top of me, her hands were in my hair, her kiss desperate and demanding.
She sucked my tongue, rolling her waist to feel more of my dick on her obviously wet pussy. But everything felt wrong.
I grabbed her waist and pushed her away, sitting up and putting distance between us.
She landed on her feet, her chest heaving, her eyes were bright with a look I wish I didn’t recognize, I’ve seen it so many times. Something was odd about her. She seemed almost like a different person..
“I’m sorry,” she said, not sounding sorry at all. “You’re just so cute. It’s hard to control myself sometimes.”
I stood up, straightening my shirt. “Diana…”
“Never talk about ending our relationship again.” Her smile disappeared. “Never, Gavin. Or I’ll kill myself. I mean it. I’ll walk into traffic or take pills or find some other way to make sure you carry that guilt for the rest of your life.”
My blood ran cold.
“Diana, you can’t…”
“I can. And I will.” She moved closer, her hand finding my chest, right over my heart. “I love you. Do you understand that? I love you so much it terrifies me. And I’m not losing you. I’m not losing this life.”
Her hand pressed harder.
“So I’m staying,” she continued, her voice fierce. “And when I get back from California, we’re moving forward with the engagement. We’re planning the wedding. We’re building the life we promised each other.”
She looked up at me, tears gathering in her eyes but she blinked them back refusing to let it fall.
“Let’s be happy together,” she whispered. “For the rest of our lives. That’s all I want. Can’t you give me that?”
I stared at her, seeing the desperation, the fear, the need.
Seeing the trap she’d just laid out so clearly. Stay with me or I die.
Love me or I’ll make sure you suffer. Be mine or lose everything.
These weren’t the words of love.
These were the words of someone drowning, grabbing onto anything to stay afloat. Even if it meant pulling me down with her.
“Diana,” I said quietly, “this isn’t healthy.”
“I don’t care.” She grabbed my collar again, holding on. “I don’t care if it’s healthy. I don’t care if it’s right. I just care that you’re mine. That we’re together. That I finally have something good after so many years of nothing.”
“You had something good before. You had Melissa. You had…”
“I had nothing!” Her voice rose. “You’re trying to end this. To walk away. To leave me just like Michael left me.”
“Michael died, Diana. That’s not the same."
“He left me!” she screamed. Tears were streaming down her face now.
“Please,” she whispered. “Please don’t leave me. I’ll be better. I’ll be whatever you need. Just don’t leave.”
I looked at this beautiful, broken, and desperate woman. I felt nothing but pity.
And guilt.
“Go to California,” I said quietly. “Take your time. Think about what you really want.”
“I want you.”
“Think about what you really want,” I repeated. “Not what you think you should want. Not what feels safe. What you actually want, Diana. For yourself.”
She stared at me, her chest heaving.
Then she nodded slowly.
“Okay,” she whispered. “Okay, I’ll think about it.”
“Good.”
I turned to leave.
“Gavin?”
I stopped at the door but didn’t turn around.
“I meant what I said,” she said softly. “If you leave me, I won’t survive it.”
I closed my eyes.
“I know.”
Then I walked out, closing the door behind me.