Chapter 9 - Behind the Mask
For three days, Elara remained in the East Wing. Meals were brought to her on silver trays, and a high-end stylist was quietly brought in to fix her ruined hair, cutting it into a chic, elegant bob that framed her face beautifully.
On the fourth evening, Daniel knocked softly on her open door. He had traded his imposing three-piece suits for a simple black sweater and slacks, making him look less like a mafia boss and more like a weary man.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, stepping into the room.
"Much better, thank you," Elara said, sitting up against the pillows. She hesitated. "Why are you doing this for me? I'm just an employee."
May you like
Daniel sat in the armchair near her bed. He studied her for a long moment. "When I was young, before the money and the power, my mother worked herself to the bone cleaning houses for people exactly like Victoria," he said quietly. "I watched them demean her because they could. I swore no one would ever be treated that way under my roof."
Elara saw the vulnerability in his dark eyes, a stark contrast to his fearsome reputation. For the first time, she saw the man behind the myth.
