(Karios's POV)
Too Close.
Just as the balcony door handle turned, Karios shoved her back without thinking.
She stumbled, catching herself just as the door swung open.
Damien stepped outside, his eyes sweeping over the balcony.
Karios had already turned, leaning against the railing, his face unreadable.
"Hey, buddy. You were here?" Damien said, looking at him.
"Yeah. Were you looking for me?" Karios replied, turning to face him.
Damien nodded. "I wanted to ask if you had seen Sorcha."
Karios kept his posture relaxed. "Well, here she is."
His best friend studied him for a moment before turning to Sorcha. "And you? What are you doing here?"
Sorcha tilted her head, her expression perfectly innocent. "Just needed some air, Daddy."
Karios could see the amusement dancing in her eyes.
This girl was dangerous. He needed to be more careful.
Damien sighed, rubbing his temple. "Come inside. There's someone I want you to meet."
Sorcha's lips curled slightly. "Of course."
She turned, brushing past Karios, letting her fingers skim the back of his hand.
It was a barely-there touch.
But he felt it.
His jaw tightened as he watched her disappear inside.
Damien lingered for a second, studying Karios like he was searching for something.
Then he shook his head. "Come on."
Karios followed, forcing himself to breathe.
---
The car ride home later that night was silent.
Elena sat beside him, arms crossed, staring out the window.
Karios knew that look.
She was thinking.
Finally, she spoke. "That girl."
He didn't respond.
Elena turned slightly, eyes sharp. "She follows you around like a shadow."
Karios kept his focus on the road. "She's a child."
Elena hummed. "She doesn't act like one."
He kept silent.
Then, softly, she asked, "Is she trying to get your attention?"
His hands tightened on the wheel. "I don't entertain little girls, Elena."
She studied him for a moment longer before leaning back. "Good."
The conversation ended there, but Karios could still feel her watching him.
---
The next day at the office, Karios sat in his chair, going through documents that needed signing.
The office screamed wealth—leather chairs, beautiful décor, and a desk piled with contracts.
But his mind kept drifting to Sorcha.
The words on the pages blurred in front of him. He had read the same sentence twice and still couldn't remember it.
Damn her.
Karios exhaled, gripping the pen tighter.
She was a child. Off-limits.
He needed to work. Not thinking about her lips curling as she called out the word Daddy.
A knock on the door broke his thoughts.
"Come in," he called out.
His assistant stepped inside, setting a file on his desk. "Sir, Mr. Laurent is waiting in the conference room."
Karios nodded, closing the file in front of him. "I'll be there in five minutes."
The assistant left, and he exhaled slowly.
He needed to focus on work.
Tonight, he'd go home to Elena and pretend everything was normal.
---
Elena was in the living room when he arrived home later that night, a glass of wine in hand.
"Late again?" she mused without looking up.
Karios loosened his tie. "Busy with business."
She let out a soft laugh. "Always business."
He poured himself a drink, settling into the chair across from her. "Anything you need?"
She tilted her head, studying him like she was trying to decide if he was worth her time.
She had stopped trying a long time ago.
"No," she finally said, sipping her wine.
Silence stretched between them.
There was no warmth here. No anger. No love.
Only duty.
Two years of marriage, and this was all they had left.
Karios finished his drink and stood. "I'm going to bed."
Elena didn't stop him. She never did.
---
Karios had just stepped out of the shower when he heard it.
A soft click as the door was opened.
"Elena, is that you?"
No reply.
Someone was in his room.
Barefoot and still damp, he grabbed a towel, wrapping it around his waist.
Then, slowly, he stepped out of the bathroom—
And stopped cold.
Sorcha.
Leaning against his door, arms crossed, a dangerous smile curling her lips.
His jaw locked. "What the hell are you doing here?"
She pushed off the door, tilting her head. "Visiting."
"Elena is home."
"I know."
His fingers clenched. "How did you even get in?"
She smiled innocently. "Your maid let me in. She adores me."
Of course.
He exhaled sharply. "Leave."
She took a slow step forward. "You're wet."
Karios said nothing.
Her eyes flickered down to the towel wrapped around his waist.
Heat sparked in her gaze. "Should I help you dry off, Daddy?"
His body tensed.
His fingers twitched.
Then—footsteps.
Someone was coming.
Both of their eyes snapped to the door, panic flickering in their expressions.
Though in Sorcha's gaze, there was something else.
Anticipation.
She did nothing. Just stood there.
He needed to think fast.
And just as the footsteps stopped outside the door—
He moved.