Thunder echoed softly outside the mansion as Adrian suddenly opened his eyes.
His breathing came out uneven.
For several long seconds, he remained frozen beneath the dark sheets while sweat covered his forehead despite the cold air inside the room.
The nightmare again.
Always the same nightmare.
A woman screaming.
Glass breaking.
Rain pouring heavily outside.
And blood.
So much blood.
Adrian slowly sat upright, rubbing his hand across his face tiredly. The image refused to leave his mind this time.
A frightened little boy standing near the staircase.
Watching helplessly.
Watching Vivian push the woman backward during the violent argument.
The woman falling.
Her head striking the sharp marble edge.
The blood spreading slowly across the floor.
Adrian shut his eyes tightly.
Even after all these years, he still remembered it clearly.
He could still hear the screaming.
Still see the blood.
Still remember the fear that froze his entire body that night.
Adrian slowly exhaled before throwing the blanket aside.
Sleep was impossible now.
A few minutes later, he walked downstairs quietly toward the kitchen.
The mansion remained silent at this hour.
Only the sound of rain filled the empty hallways.
Adrian loosened the top buttons of his shirt tiredly before entering the kitchen.
Then he stopped slightly.
Elena stood near the counter preparing coffee.
She looked surprised to see him there.
For a brief second, neither of them spoke.
Then Elena lowered her gaze politely.
"Couldn't sleep, sir?"
Adrian walked closer slowly.
"No."
His voice sounded rough from exhaustion.
Elena quietly handed him a cup without asking another question.
Adrian accepted it silently.
Their fingers brushed very lightly.
Tiny.
Accidental.
But strangely—
Both of them noticed.
The kitchen suddenly felt too quiet.
Too warm.
Adrian took a slow sip before speaking again.
"You wake up early."
"I prefer quiet mornings."
Something about her answer made him study her again.
Calm.
Controlled.
Almost like someone carrying too many hidden thoughts.
Before he could speak again, footsteps suddenly approached the kitchen.
Vivian entered wearing an expensive silk robe while checking something on her phone.
The moment she looked up—
Her eyes landed on Elena.
For one brief second, Vivian became strangely still.
As though something about Elena's face disturbed her.
But the feeling disappeared quickly.
Vivian frowned instead.
"Why are the lights on at this hour?"
Elena stepped back respectfully.
"I was preparing coffee for Mr. Adrian."
Vivian looked between them carefully.
Then finally forced a smile.
"You servants are becoming very comfortable lately."
The insult came lightly.
But intentionally.
Adrian remained silent while drinking his coffee calmly.
Vivian blinked slightly before laughing softly.
"My goodness. I only made a joke."
Elena lowered her gaze again respectfully.
Inside her chest, however, cold hatred spread quietly.
This is only the beginning.
You will suffer slowly.
Just like my mother suffered.
But outwardly—
Her face remained perfectly calm.
Vivian eventually left the kitchen after complaining about the weather.
The silence returned again afterward.
Then Adrian's phone suddenly rang.
Daniel.
Adrian answered immediately.
"Talk to me."
Daniel's voice sounded serious from the other side.
"We still haven't located the girl from years ago."
Adrian's jaw tightened slightly.
"Keep searching."
"Even after all this time?"
"Yes."
Silence followed briefly before Daniel answered quietly.
"Understood."
The call ended shortly afterward.
Elena continued arranging the kitchen trays quietly without paying attention to the conversation.
Adrian stared down at the dark coffee silently.
Another memory suddenly returned.
His father standing inside the company office years ago.
Teaching him calmly about business negotiations and responsibility.
Back then, Adrian believed strength meant becoming untouchable.
Cold.
Controlled.
But lately—
Everything inside this mansion felt strangely unstable.
Especially whenever Elena appeared.The next evening, the mansion became busy once again.
Luxury cars slowly entered through the enormous front gates while workers rushed around preparing for Vivian's private charity gathering.
Golden lights reflected beautifully across the marble floors.
Fresh flowers filled every corner of the mansion.
Everything looked elegant.
Perfect.
Exactly the kind of image Vivian loved presenting to society.
Meanwhile, upstairs inside her bedroom, Vivian stood before the mirror applying another layer of expensive cream onto her irritated skin.
Her expression remained annoyed.
"The weather in this city is becoming unbearable."
Beside her, Vanessa rolled her eyes dramatically while struggling to zip her dress.
"It's not the weather. You're using too many products."
Vivian frowned immediately.
"And you spend too much money."
Vanessa scoffed loudly.
"Again with the money discussion? Adrian is acting completely unreasonable."
"You stole company funds."
"I borrowed it."
"Hundred million dollars is not borrowing."
Vanessa folded her arms stubbornly.
"Why is everyone acting like I'm some criminal? This family has more money than entire countries."
Vivian sighed heavily.
"You still need to return it before Adrian creates a bigger problem."
Vanessa dropped herself dramatically onto the sofa.
"Maybe I'll suddenly disappear to Paris."
Vivian gave her a cold look.
"You wouldn't survive two days without your credit cards."
Downstairs, Elena quietly arranged wine glasses alongside the other servants.
Madam Martha continued shouting instructions across the ballroom.
"Careful with those decorations!"
"And somebody find the missing dessert tray immediately!"
One nervous servant accidentally bumped into another worker carrying juice.
The entire tray spilled directly onto the expensive carpet.
The poor servant nearly cried.
Madam Martha closed her eyes slowly.
"I need retirement."
Several servants immediately looked away trying not to laugh.
Even Elena almost smiled faintly.
But deep inside—
Her thoughts remained cold.
Focused.
Every small humiliation Vivian experienced brought Elena quiet satisfaction.
Not enough.
Never enough.
But it was a start.
As guests slowly began arriving, Adrian finally entered the ballroom wearing a perfectly fitted black suit.
The moment he appeared, conversations softened slightly around him.
Cold.
Sharp.
Untouchable.
Yet Elena noticed something tonight.
He looked tired again.
Like someone carrying invisible pressure behind his calm expression.
As she carried drinks across the ballroom, one guest suddenly stepped backward carelessly into her path.
Elena lost balance slightly.
The tray tilted dangerously.
But before the glasses could fall—
A steady hand caught the edge of the tray firmly.
Adrian.
Their eyes met briefly.
Only for a second.
Yet something strangely tense passed between them again.
Not affection.
Not softness.
Just awareness.
Quiet.
Dangerous awareness.
Then Adrian released the tray calmly.
"Watch where you're walking."
His tone remained cold as always.
But Elena noticed he had spoken to the guest.
Not her.
And somehow—
That small detail stayed in her mind longer than it should have.