Dad
I sat down under the tree. I thought I would feel calm and less on edge as I let go of everything, but the silence around me felt heavier. My mind va blank, but the melancholy weighed heavily on my heart. I thought if you’re never happy, you’ll never be sad and that’s why I always kept my emotiy tightly knit. Never letting them run high or low. Yes, I had failed quite miserably in the past few weeks to keep it that way, But I was seeing the fight të nga end of the tunnel.
I thought I had it… untill didn’t.
Now I’ve hit a dead end.
The dug–up dirt piled in a mound was visible from here. It was the place where my mother now rested. In all honesty, I didn’t even know her.
So why does it hurt so much?
None of this made me feel better. My vision blurred again.
“Why didn’t you call for me?”
Killian’s shoes appeared in my line of sight. I quickly wiped my tears away. He crouched down and gently grabbed my chin, making me look at him I swallowed the lump in my throat. Killian’s expression darkened.
“Did they say something to you?”
“No.” I shook my head and pushed his hand away, standing up.
He rose with me, and I turned away, trying to compose myself. But he grabbed me by the elbow and turned me back to face him.
“Are you sure?” he asked, his hand firm. I looked up at him. This was one of those rare moments when I truly realized how tall he was. His expression, the way he carried himself, the strength in his arms–it could crush a person. The aura of lethalness shimmered in the setting sun.
He was devastatingly beautiful.
My heart shattered.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine.”
He touched my cheek, caressing it softly. I leaned into his touch, covering his hand with my own. Somehow, it became easier to breathe.
“I should be. I thought I would be if I let go of everything.”
“Have you ever seen a happy bird that clipped her own wings?”
“They’re people, not wings. And I’m not a bird,” I said, taking both of his hands in mine.
His proximity melts me.
“You’re missing the point. You’re making yourself powerless.”
“With the kind of thoughts I have… I shouldn’t have power.”
I let go of his hands and slipped mine back into my pockets.
“You need the thoughts–and the power. This world won’t be kind to you.”
The truth of his words hadn’t escaped me. I’ve lived and seen too much in too little time.
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Chapter 54
It never was, anyway.”
And yet
“Holding on to anything too tight hunts. Doesn’t matter if it’s hope of revenge.”
“Think it over, Mila. It’s either freedom or peace.”
The silence between us thickened as our eyes locked.
That question: “What do you want–freedom or peace?”
Why is it a choice? Why can’t I have both?
Have I not done enough? Haven’t I fought enough?
Why is he making me choose?
Why not promise me protection–or tell me I can have both?
Why is he always so honest?
“I’ve been called a coward today. Let’s continue with that,” I said, nodding and walking past him. The wind picked up again, carrying the chill of late
October.
“Don’t you want to claim your inheritance?”
His voice floated after me, and I turned to look at him. A stifling feeling rose inside me at the word *inheritance*.
“Your grandfather’s lawyer is here,” he said, tilting his head. There was a knowing glint in his eyes.
“You’re not going to give this up, are you?”
There should be a vote tomorrow. But how will that happen with Nicolai and Tommen both absent?
What’s happening in the company, since no one from the Anderson family has made an appearance in over a week?
This day–it was what all the fuss was about. And none of us will be there.
He walked closer to me.
“Shall we?” he asked, extending his arm.
“I can’t do this right now,” I said before I could think about it.
I need a day where I don’t have to think.
“The appointment of the new Chairperson has been postponed. It will now be held on the 16th of November.”
“The appointment?” I asked, frowning.
“Naturally. Since Tommen Anderson is unavailable indefinitely and you’ve come of age, instead of announcing the heir, they’re appointing the new Chairperson. And you’re the only likely candidate.”
“If there’s no one there, who’s in charge?” I asked, taken aback.
“The board, of course. Of which I’m a part,” he said with a smirk.
I looked at him in disbelief. “You can’t-”
Chapter 54
just did. The only thing left is for you to sign some papers to claim the inheritance, And the Anderson Empire & juurd
He is relentless. I have no way of getting out of here.
“And half of the Shadow Empire is already waiting for you.”
“I’m not-”
“Shhh.”
He leaned into my space, putting a finger on my lips.
And I was once again captivated by those dark eyes.
“You want to keep your friends safe–I agree. But powerless? I will never let you be.”
He took my hand in his and pulled me toward the outhouse, I followed without resistance, unable to take my eyes off him.
Where on earth does this man come from?
Vivian Desai was a man of Indian origin, in his late forties. He wore a three–piece black suit and carried a briefcase. We sat in the dining room of the outhouse–it was minimalistic, decorated in wood and cream. Mr. Desai sat across from us and handed me the papers after announcing my grandfather’s
will.
I was made the heir of the Anderson company, inheriting 18% of the group’s shares. I also now owned the Anderson Mansion, four vacation houses
abroad, and six in the country. Half the estate where the Shadow Knight headquarters stood was mine, too.
None of it surprised me. I already knew all of it.
I signed.
He shook our hands and gave me his card–a sleek black card with his name, number, and email. The way he nodded at Killian before leaving was exactly how any Shadow Knight would.
“He’s also a Shadow Knight, isn’t he?” I stated.
“No. Just a lawyer. He used to work for your grandfather,” Killian replied.
I said nothing. All I had now was a bunch of keys in my hands–and a card.
I need to think. I need to decide how I want to proceed.
And what about the Andersons?
can’t exactly keep them under house arrest.
Or Killian might just follow through on his words.
One day. I need one day.
“Would you like to go?”
“Back to headquarters?” I asked.
“Is there somewhere else you’d like to go?”
“Somewhere with windows,” I said.
“Somewhere with windows, then,” he repeated, nodding as he reached for my hand.
3/4
Chapter 54
I shook my head.
He froze, mid–motion, eyes locking on mine–part confusion, part wariness. I recognized that look. I’d seen it before, in moments when his gaze deepened with something meant only for me. Then, like always, he reached for me again, as if it was instinct.
I am use to find comfort in his warmth. I feared the cold that would seep into my bones the moment I stepped away.
I hated this side of me–the one that craved him like air in my lungs, like he was necessary for survival. I hated how fragile I felt when it came to him
And the worst part? I didn’t even know what we were. I didn’t know where we were headed, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to kriow.
“I can’t go with you,” I said, finally lifting my eyes to meet his, steady this time.
AD
