Chapter 64 Before Everything Shifted

Chapter 64 Before Everything Shifted
The hot shower did more for me than I expected. By the time I stepped out, steam still clinging to my skin, I noticed the thermos sitting on my counter and realized I was actually hungry. I poured myself a bowl and ate slowly, savoring the warmth as it spread through my body until I almost felt like reborn again. After cleaning up and getting myself together, I figured the least I could do was return it.

Caspian's penthouse door was already open when I arrived. I spotted Grayson coming down the hallway with drinks in hand.

"Grayson?"

He turned and hurried over. "Miss Quinn, you're here."

"Anyone else around?"

"No, just me dropping off documents for Mr. Vale. Usually, no one comes by, so don't worry." He gestured for me to follow him inside, and I set the thermos on the bar while glancing around. "Where is he?"

"Some urgent business for tomorrow, so I brought a document over for tomorrow." He paused, then added casually, "Well, he's flying out tonight anyway, so better to get everything sorted now."

My hands stilled on the counter. "Tonight? Where's he going?"

"Other region." Grayson looked genuinely surprised by my reaction. "He didn't tell you?"

I forced something resembling a smile, though it probably looked as awkward as it felt. We both knew why Caspian hadn't mentioned it, he didn't owe me that kind of information. That wasn't what we were.

Grayson touched the back of his head with an uncomfortable laugh. "Maybe he just forgot."

"How long will he be gone?"

"About a week, visit several countries."

I nodded because what else could I do, and Grayson took that as his cue to slip into the study. A few minutes later, he emerged with his documents, waving at me where I'd migrated to the espresso machine. "I'll head out now. See you later, Miss Quinn."

The machine hummed while I worked, and I'd just finished pulling a shot when I heard those familiar footsteps behind me. I picked up the cup and turned with a smile. "Hm."

Caspian barely looked at me before taking the cup from my hands and dumping it straight into the sink. "Sober now?"

"That wasn't even the one I was going to drink, it was just sitting there, and I couldn't help—" I bit my lip, clutching the empty cup. "I didn't know you were coming today." Then I remembered. "The porridge was good though. Thank you."

He looked down at me with that unreadable expression. "Porridge and then coffee. You've got quite the appetite."

"Well, you need to eat and drink enough if you want energy for anything."

Something shifted in his gaze at that, his voice dropping lower. "Then you should definitely drink more."

Even with the curtains drawn against the afternoon sun, the room felt like night except for the heat that kept building. I'd eaten well and had my coffee, but none of that prepared me for this. It was too much, maybe because of last night's interruption, maybe because he was leaving, but either way, he gave too much and took even more. Time stopped meaning anything, day bleeding into something darker while he indulged without restraint, like he wanted to pull me under with him and drown in it together.

By the time Caspian carried me to the bathroom, my legs wouldn't support me anymore, and I had to cling to him just to stay upright. The water ran hot, and I pressed into his chest, trying not to look at him, trying not to think too hard about any of this.

"Grayson mentioned a visit to other countries, right?" My voice was barely audible over the water.

"Yeah."

"You never said anything."

Silence stretched between us before he spoke. "If you need anything while I'm gone, find Marcus."

Something cold settled in my chest. Right. He knew exactly what this was, what our arrangement meant. Clear and simple, no confusion about where we stood.

I wanted to ask about Marcus, about how two of them knew each other and what that relationship looked like, but the words wouldn't come. "Okay."

I went to the hospital that evening like always, but the moment I stepped into the first-floor lobby and headed for the elevators, a woman's voice stopped me cold.

"Mrs. Blackwood?"

I turned to find a young woman in a wheelchair, and my expression must have changed instantly because I knew her face even though we'd never actually met. Isabella. Of course, she'd recognize me too. I was married to the most important person in her life, so naturally, she'd know what Damien's wife looked like.

Every instinct screamed that I should avoid this conversation, but she was sitting there looking up at me, and I couldn't just walk away, no matter how much I wanted to.

"Hello, Miss Isabella."

Surprise flickered across her face, like she hadn't expected me to acknowledge her at all. "I didn't expect to run into you here."

"Can we talk for a moment?" she asked.

"I don't think we have anything to discuss."

"Mrs. Blackwood, I don't mean any harm." Her voice was soft, almost pleading.

"I know, but it's still not appropriate."

"I want to apologize." She pressed on, ignoring my refusal completely. "For things my friends did."

I didn't know how to respond to that, didn't know what I was even feeling, so I stayed quiet.

"I know he kidnapped you. I'm truly sorry."

"It wasn't your fault. You don't need to apologize for him."

Isabella smiled, but it was bitter and sad. "It is my fault. Everything happened because of me."

What could I possibly say to that? Nothing felt right, so I said nothing at all.

"And about Damien..." She paused, lifting her head to meet my eyes directly. "Mrs. Blackwood, I hope you'll be happy together. Forever."

The words hit me harder than they should have.

"I know I've probably caused misunderstandings between you two, but please believe me, I won't be an obstacle in your marriage." Her voice steadied, became more certain. "You're good for him. You'll be happy together, I'm sure of it."

I couldn't tell if she meant it or if this was some kind of performance, and that uncertainty made everything worse. I should have said something, anything, but the words were stuck somewhere in my throat. From the moment I'd seen her, this terrible uneasy feeling had been growing inside me, and now it was threatening to spill over.

The elevator dinged, and the iron doors slid open.

I turned without another word and stepped inside, watching Isabella through the narrowing gap as the doors closed. She didn't move, just sat there with her head slowly lowering until I couldn't see her anymore.

When I reached my father's floor, I stepped out but stopped in the empty hallway. After a moment's hesitation, I pulled out my phone and made a call.

"Mr. Marcus." My voice came out low when he answered. "Sorry to bother you so late, but could you help me with something?"