Bound by Lust

Esme stood there, her pulse racing, as Kael's cold gaze flicked to her. She felt her stomach tighten, her chest heavy with an emotion she couldn't quite name. His eyes were so distant, so calm—nothing about the exchange seemed to affect him in the slightest.

Sophia, however, was another story. The woman's gaze lingered on Esme, studying her with a mixture of amusement and something darker—something possessive, as if she were enjoying the discomfort she was causing. Esme knew this game. She could feel it in her bones. Sophia wasn't just being flirtatious. She was asserting dominance, reminding Esme of something she was trying so hard to ignore: that Kael belonged to no one.

"Kael, darling," Sophia cooed, her hand once again brushing against his chest in that familiar, possessive way. "You know, some things never change."

Esme's jaw tightened, her heart pounding. She was fighting to keep her emotions in check, to not let Sophia see how deeply this was cutting. She didn't owe Kael anything, and yet here she was—standing in the shadows, watching as another woman so openly flaunted what Esme would never have.

Kael's voice cut through her thoughts, low and disinterested. "It's over, Sophia."

Esme's heart skipped a beat as she looked up, trying to process his words. Over? Was it? Why did it feel like it was just beginning? Why did it feel like something had just been set in motion, and there was no stopping it?

Sophia's expression faltered for a moment, but only for a second. Her smile returned, but it wasn't genuine. "I suppose you always were one for cutting ties without hesitation," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She gave Kael one last lingering look, then turned back to Esme. "It was nice to finally meet you, Esme," she purred, her voice thick with something else—something veiled, as if she were savoring the moment.

Esme managed a tight, forced smile. "Likewise."

Sophia didn't respond. Instead, she made a show of turning her back on them and walked away, her heels clicking confidently against the polished marble floor.

Esme didn't watch her go. Her gaze was fixed on Kael. His face was unreadable, distant, as he returned his attention to his conversation with other business associates, as if nothing had happened at all.

The air felt thick with tension, the silence between them deafening.

Esme's breath caught in her throat, her hand trembling slightly as she clenched it at her side. Why did this bother me so much? she wondered, her mind spinning. She wasn't supposed to care. Kael didn't care. It was a fact that she had accepted, over and over again. But in that moment, seeing him so unaffected by Sophia's advances, watching her brush against him like they shared some intimate bond—it hurt.

Kael didn't even glance at her again.

And that realization, more than anything, was the hardest pill to swallow.

It was clear now. No matter how much she tried to fight it, the truth had settled deep inside her: she was falling for him.

But it was too late, wasn't it? Kael didn't want her. He never had. He would never look at her the way he had with Sophia. He was cold—always had been, always would be.

And that was a truth Esme would have to learn to live with.

The evening continued on, the business talks, the laughter, the polite smiles, but inside, Esme felt more alone than ever. She stayed close to Kael, as was expected of her, but there was no warmth in his presence, no acknowledgment of her existence beyond the fact that she was by his side.

When the night finally drew to a close, Kael's icy demeanor didn't waver. He didn't offer a word of comfort, didn't even glance her way when they made their way back to the car.

The drive back to the mansion was silent. The only sound in the car was the hum of the engine and the occasional click of Kael's phone as he checked his messages.

Esme's thoughts raced, trying to push everything out of her head. But no matter how hard she tried, one thought remained.

Sophia.

That woman had gotten under her skin in a way she couldn't explain. And it hurt to realize that no matter how much she despised the idea of caring about Kael—she did. She hated herself for it. Hated that the sight of him with someone else still made her heart ache.

When they finally reached the mansion, Kael didn't wait for her. He stepped out of the car without a word, heading toward the door, and Esme followed, trying to ignore the sting in her chest.

But before she could enter, Kael's voice stopped her.

"Don't forget, you're here for a reason," he said, his back turned to her. "Stay focused."

Esme nodded quietly, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Of course."

And as they entered the mansion, Esme tried to ignore the weight of her feelings—the confusion, the hurt, and the uncertainty of what she was becoming in Kael's world.

She wasn't sure if she could keep pretending much longer.

****. ****. ****.