Chapter 244
Dawn slipped quietly into Eliana’s bedroom, thin fingers of gold pushing through the heavy curtains and spilling over the tangled sheets. In the armchair by the window, Rafael stirred. He’d spent the night there—half-guard, half-penitent—and his body definitely had complaints. His long legs were cramped, his back stiff, and his neck protested as he straightened. Still, he didn’t regret a second of it.
His steel eyes drifted instinctively to the bed.
Eliana lay curled on her side, peaceful in a way that made his chest ache. Her long curls fanned across the pillow like spilled ink, framing her face in soft chaos. The morning light kissed her warm brown skin, and her lips—soft, pink, slightly parted—rose and fell with slow, even breaths. She looked… safe. And that did something dangerous to him.
Protectiveness curled tight in his chest, braided with regret and that stubborn, inconvenient thing he’d once spent many nights pretending didn’t own him.
Love.
He rose carefully, wincing as his muscles reminded him that armchairs were not designed for men his size or pride. Running a hand through his dark, sleep-tousled hair, he checked his watch. Just after six. Good. He cast one last look at her—memorizing the moment like a thief—and slipped out.
Downstairs, the house was hushed, wrapped in early-morning stillness. The faint scent of last night’s soup lingered in the air as Rafael rolled up the sleeves of his once-crisp shirt, now bearing the creases of a long night. Cooking wasn’t part of his daily life anymore. He negotiated mergers, crushed rivals, bent entire markets to his will. But this? This mattered more.
He moved with focused precision—eggs whisked light and fluffy, spinach and vegetables sautéed just enough to stay vibrant, bread toasted to golden perfection. Coffee brewed, rich and comforting, filling the kitchen with warmth. By the time he arranged everything on a tray—carefully, almost reverently—he paused.
A single red rose from the garden finished it.
For once, the satisfaction he felt had nothing to do with winning.
Upstairs, Eliana stirred.
Her eyes fluttered open to the unfamiliar scent wafting through the house. She blinked, disoriented for a moment, her honey eyes adjusting to the light. The armchair was empty, the blanket Rafael had draped over himself neatly folded. A pang of something—disappointment? Relief?—twisted in her chest. She sat up, her slender frame still heavy with pregnancy hormones and the emotional whirlwind of the previous night. Glancing at her phone, she saw it was 7 a.m. Time to get ready for classes. But first… that smell.
She padded downstairs in her soft robe, her bare feet silent on the stairs, and paused at the kitchen doorway. There he was: Rafael Vexley stood at the counter, pouring coffee like he belonged there. Billionaire CEO. Walking storm. Domestic threat. His broad shoulders filled the space effortlessly, sleeves rolled up, jaw set in quiet concentration. When his gaze lifted and met hers, something unspoken passed between them—soft, charged, intimate.
“Good morning,” he said, voice low and warm, the usual sarcasm softened into something real.
He set the tray on the island. “I figured you’d need fuel. Omelet with spinach and feta. Avocado toast. Fruit. And coffee—decaf,” he added pointedly.
Eliana’s eyes widened in shock, her heart skipping a beat. Secretly, a bubble of happiness rose within her, warming her from the inside out. No one had ever done this for her except Henry—but with Henry, her feelings were different, not like this.
She masked it quickly, raising an eyebrow and folding her arms. “You know,” she said lightly, “you didn’t have to go through all this trouble. I could’ve grabbed something on my way to class p>
He leaned against the counter, crossing his arms to mirror her, a slow smile tugging at his lips. “Bother? Eliana, this is my pleasure. After last night… I want to start the day right. Sit. Eat. Let me take care of you, my love p>
And just like that, the tension lingered—warm, dangerous, and impossible to ignore.
She hesitated, her kind-hearted nature warring with her resolve to keep walls up. But the food looked divine, and her stomach growled traitorously. With a sigh that was half exasperation, half amusement, she slid onto a stool. “Fine. But this doesn’t mean anything. It’s just breakfast p>
“Of course,” he replied, his tone teasing as he pushed the tray closer. “Just breakfast. Nothing more.” But his eyes lingered on her, tracing the curve of her pretty face, the way her curls framed her features. As she took her first bite, a soft moan escaped her lips—the flavors exploding on her tongue—and Rafael’s grin widened. “Good p>
“Too good,” she admitted, her voice muffled around a mouthful. “You’re full of surprises, Mr. Vexley p>
“And you’re worth every one, Mrs. Vexley,” he countered softly, pouring himself a cup of coffee and leaning in closer. The air between them hummed again, that unspoken tension from the night before lingering like a promise.
After breakfast, Eliana retreated upstairs to get ready. She showered quickly, the hot water easing the lingering aches from pregnancy, and dressed in a simple yet elegant outfit: a flowy blouse that accommodated her growing belly, fitted jeans, and comfortable flats. She pulled her long curls into a loose ponytail, applied a touch of makeup to highlight her honey-brown eyes, and glanced at herself in the mirror. She looked put-together, but inside, emotions swirled—hope mixed with caution, love tangled with hurt.
Downstairs, Rafael was on the phone, his voice clipped and authoritative. “Jax, gather the team. I need you all on Eliana today at the university. Watch over her at all times—discreetly. No overwhelming her. Blend in, protect without smothering. Understood p>
On the other end, Jax’s voice crackled with enthusiasm. “Absolutely, boss. We’ve got this. It’ll be like we’re her shadows—close but invisible. Can’t wait to get started p>
Rafael paused, his brow furrowing slightly. Jax’s excitement was unusual; the man was usually all business, keeping the “orchestra” in sync with cool efficiency. Was there something more? But he shook it off—paranoia was his old friend, but today, he wouldn’t dwell. “Good. Report back if anything seems off. And Jax… remember, she’s my world p>
“Understood,” Jax replied, his tone steady despite the undercurrent of eagerness.
To be continued p>