mysterious identity

Dominic Vale stood tall, his sharp eyes fixed on Damian. His voice was cold, carrying an unmistakable authority. "You better stay within your limits and don't do anything unnecessary," he warned, his tone leaving no room for argument. It wasn't just a simple warning—it was a command, one that demanded obedience.

When Damian stepped out, Selena anxiously searched his face for any sign of what had happened inside

"Did my father say anything to you?" she asked, her voice hesitant, l;ed with concern.

His usual composure was replaced with a troubled expression, and he exhaled deeply. "Don't worry," he said quietly. "It's nothing. It just takes time," he added, looking away.

Selena felt a sense of relief wash over her.Selena frowned, knowing her father too well. If he had accepted Damian, he would have said so directly. His silence meant something was unresolved, something deeper was at play. Her father was a man who never trusted easily, and Damian's sudden presence in her life would not go unquestioned.

They walked back to the living room, where her mother and younger brother, Rohan, were waiting. Her mother's face was calm, yet there was a shadow of concern in her warm eyes.

"Mom, we need to go now," Selena said, trying to sound composed.

Isla Vale sighed, glancing briefly in the direction of the study before turning back to her daughter. "Your father is angry right now, but don't worry. He will accept Damian in time," she reassured, her voice gentle yet uncertain.

Selena smiled weakly and hugged her mother tightly. She had missed her so much. It had been too long since she had last seen her family, and she regretted not spending more time with them before everything changed so suddenly.

Rohan, always the playful one, smirked and crossed his arms. "If you ever do something like this again, at least give me a heads-up," he said, his voice laced with amusement.

Selena rolled her eyes. "Focus on your studies instead of playing games all the time," she chided, ruffling his hair affectionately.

With that, she and Damian left the mansion, making their way back to their apartment. But as they walked out, Dominic stood by the window, watching them closely. His thoughts were heavy with suspicion. Something wasn't right about Damian.

Dominic was a man who left nothing to chance. He had already investigated Damian's background, yet he found nothing—no significant records, no past of interest. It was as if the man had appeared out of nowhere. That alone was enough to make him wary.

He exhaled slowly, taking a sip of whiskey. His daughter was smart and capable, but he couldn't bring himself to trust Damian so easily. His instincts, honed over years of dealing with deception, screamed that something was being hidden from him.

He reached for his phone and made a call. His voice was sharp, demanding. "Have you found anything suspicious about Damian?"

The voice on the other end replied, "No, sir. Everything appears normal. He attended the same college as the young miss. There are no signs of anything unusual in his records."

Dominic narrowed his eyes, his grip tightening on the glass. "Continue the investigation. If you find anything, inform me immediately." He ended the call and placed the phone down with a sharp click.

Something was missing. And he would find out what it was.

Meanwhile, in her bedroom, Isla sat in quiet contemplation. Worry clouded her thoughts. The sudden marriage had unsettled her, and though she trusted her daughter, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

Dominic entered the room, immediately noticing the concern etched on his wife's face. He walked over to her and took her hand gently. "Don't worry about Selena," he said reassuringly. "I will handle everything."

Isla sighed, nodding. "I just wish I could help her more. When I look at her, I see my younger self. She's strong, but she doesn't always let people in. I just want to protect her."

Dominic gave her a rare, soft smile. He loved his wife dearly, and he hated seeing her worried. He knew how much she cared, how much she internalized her fears.

"Selena is capable," he said. "But that doesn't mean we stop watching over her. Especially now." His voice turned serious. "There is something about Damian that doesn't sit right with me. I will find out what it is."

Isla nodded, though her heart remained uneasy. She could only hope that time would bring clarity. For now, all they could do was wait and watch.

As Damian started driving, the night air outside was cool, and the streets were dimly lit. Selena turned to glance at him, taking in his composed expression as he focused on the road ahead. The soft glow from the dashboard highlighted his sharp features, and for a brief moment, she found herself staring. He looked almost unreal, like a man carved from shadows and moonlight.

Her heart pounded unexpectedly, and a strange feeling crept into her chest. It wasn't unfamiliar, but it was something she couldn't quite put into words. She knew him, didn't she? But from where? The thought nagged at the back of her mind, elusive and frustrating.

"You're impressed with my face?" Damian suddenly asked, his voice breaking the silence. There was amusement in his tone as he turned slightly toward her.

Selena snapped out of her trance, realizing she had been staring at him for too long. Embarrassed, she quickly turned her gaze toward the window. "Don't flatter yourself," she muttered, trying to mask her reaction.

Damian smirked but didn't press further. Instead, he remained silent, his fingers tapping lightly against the steering wheel.

After a moment, Selena spoke again. "How do you even know about my college?" she asked, her tone laced with suspicion. "I never mentioned anything personal to you."

Damian didn't answer immediately. His expression remained unreadable as he said, "It's nothing."

She frowned but decided not to push the subject. Something about his response made her uneasy, but she was too exhausted to argue.

As they neared her apartment complex, she realized she had no idea where he had been taking her. Yet, despite the uncertainty, she didn't question him. Something in his demeanor made her believe that, for now, she was safe.

When they arrived, Selena stepped out without another word, heading straight to her room. She was drained—mentally and emotionally. Without wasting time, she took a long, warm shower, allowing the water to wash away her tension. As she slipped into bed, exhaustion overtook her. Tomorrow, she had to go to the office, and she needed rest.

Meanwhile, in his own room, Damian sat in silence, his mind replaying his earlier conversation with Dominic Vale. He knew Selena's father didn't believe him—not for a second. And that was a problem.

His phone buzzed beside him. He picked it up, staring at the screen. Several missed calls. His expression darkened as he finally returned the call. The voice on the other end spoke hurriedly, and whatever was said made Damian's jaw tighten.

His face became unreadable, his entire posture tensing. When he finally hung up, his grip on the phone was tight, his knuckles white. Something had happened—something bad.

Damian exhaled sharply, his gaze turning cold. Shadows flickered in his eyes as he sat motionless in the dimly lit room. Whatever was coming next, he was ready for it.