Elena did not sleep the whole night. Her eyes were open, staring at the ceiling while David slept beside her. She felt tired, scared, and confused. Her heart was heavy because she didn't want to leave him, but she knew she had no choice. Her father was not someone she could ignore. He made it clear she had to move into his house, and she knew he meant every word.
When morning came, David woke up and stared at her sadly. His eyes were still red from the night before. "Are you really leaving today?" he asked in a small voice.
Elena touched his hair gently. "Not today. Next week. But I have to start packing some things."
David didn't say anything. He just nodded and looked away. It broke her heart.
She stood up and went to the small wardrobe they shared. She took out her old bag, the same one she had used for years. It was torn in one corner, but she had stitched it many times. She didn't have much to pack anyway—just some clothes, shoes, and the small necklace her grandmother gave her before she died. She kept it close to her heart.
David helped her fold some of her clothes. He didn't talk much. He just kept wiping his eyes with his sleeve.
"Elena… I'm scared," he finally whispered.
"I know," she replied softly. "Me too."
They packed in silence for a while until Elena's phone rang. She looked at the screen and her heart dropped. It was Mr. Hawthorne, the lawyer.
"Elena," he said the moment she picked up. "Mr. Steel wants you to come today. He said there are things you need to learn before moving in next week."
Elena felt her stomach twist. "Today? But… it's too soon."
"Mr. Steel doesn't like delays," Mr. Hawthorne replied. "A car will be outside in one hour. Please be ready."
The call ended.
David grabbed her arm. "No! Elena, please don't go today."
Elena hugged him tight. "I don't want to go, but I have to. I don't want to make him angry."
"Let him be angry," David cried. "He doesn't care about you. He didn't even know you were alive!"
"I know," she said softly. "But life is different now. We can't run away from this."
David wiped his face. "I don't trust him."
"I don't trust him either," Elena whispered. "But I will be careful. And I will come home later today. I'm not moving in yet."
David nodded, but she could see he wasn't convinced.
An hour later, there was a knock on the door. A man in a black suit stood outside. "Miss Elena Grace? The car is ready."
David ran to her and hugged her tightly. "Don't forget me," he whispered.
Elena held him close. "I will never forget you. You are my brother. You are my heart."
She kissed his forehead and walked out slowly. She turned around one more time and waved. David waved back, tears falling again.
The car was big and shiny inside. Elena sat quietly as it drove through the city. She watched people walking on the streets, people who looked normal, happy, and busy. She wished she was one of them. She wished life didn't have to change.
After a long drive, the car stopped at a huge iron gate. Security guards checked something on a tablet before opening the gate. The car moved inside, and Elena gasped.
The mansion was massive. White walls. Tall windows. Beautiful gardens. Everything looked expensive and perfect. She felt even smaller than before.
The door opened and a woman in a black suit approached her. She looked strict, with cold eyes.
"You must be Miss Elena," the woman said. "I am Mrs. Collins. I manage this house. Follow me."
Elena followed her inside. The mansion was like a palace. The floors were shiny marble. The lights were bright. The furniture looked new and rich. She felt out of place.
Mrs. Collins did not smile. "You will need to learn how things work here. You cannot behave like you are still living in a small apartment. This family has rules."
Elena nodded quietly. She didn't know what else to say.
They walked into a large office. Her father, Damon Steel, was sitting behind a big desk. He didn't look up when they entered.
"Elena Grace is here," Mrs. Collins said.
"Leave us," Damon said without looking at her.
The woman left the room.
Elena stood there, feeling nervous. Damon finally looked up, his cold eyes staring at her.
"You're late," he said.
"The car came at the time they said," Elena replied softly.
"Excuses," Damon said. "You need to learn that time is important. In my world, if you are late, you are useless."
Elena lowered her eyes. She wanted to argue, but she knew it would only make him angrier.
"Sit," he ordered.
She sat down slowly.
He studied her face for a long moment. "You still look miserable. Did you sleep at all?"
"No," she said honestly.
"Good," he replied. "A little fear is good for you."
Elena felt her chest tighten. *Why is he like this?* she wondered.
He leaned back in his chair. "From today, you will come here every day. You will learn how the company works. I won't hand my empire to someone who knows nothing. And next week, you will move into my house. That is final."
Elena looked at him with wide eyes. "I already told you… I have the right to decide. I have a brother. I can't leave him just like that."
Damon smirked. "Brother? That boy is not my son. He has no place in this family."
Elena clenched her fists. "He is my family."
Damon leaned forward slowly. "You don't understand. Once you step into my world, you can't hold on to your old life. Weak people slow you down."
"David is not weak!" Elena snapped, surprising even herself.
Damon raised an eyebrow, amused. "There it is again… that fire. You remind me of someone."
"Who?" Elena asked.
"My mother," he said with a flat tone. "She also loved talking back."
Then he stood up and walked around the desk. Elena felt his presence behind her and her heart raced.
"You will move in," he said again. "And if you want your inheritance, you will follow my rules. You don't get to say no."
Elena looked down. "You can't control my whole life."
He laughed softly. "You'll be surprised."
Her stomach twisted. This man was dangerous in so many ways.
Damon walked back to his chair and pressed a button. A young man entered the room with a tablet.
"This is Lucas," Damon said. "He will teach you about the company. You will follow him today. No questions. No noise."
Lucas gave a small nod. "Nice to meet you, Miss Elena."
Elena stood up. "Nice to meet you too."
As they turned to leave, Damon spoke again. "One more thing."
Elena stopped.
He looked at her with cold eyes. "You will learn fast. You will obey. And you will not embarrass me. If you do… I will cut you off completely."
Elena swallowed hard. "I understand."
"You'd better," he said.
She walked out with Lucas. Her heart was beating fast. She had never been this scared before. But she also felt something else—pressure. Heavy pressure.
Lucas took her to a big room filled with screens, papers, and computers. "This is the planning room. You will sit here and read these files. Start with the first one."
He handed her a thick folder.
Elena sat down and looked at the pages. She didn't understand most of the terms. Everything looked complicated.
"This is too much," she whispered.
"You'll get used to it," Lucas said. "Mr. Steel does not like slow learners."
Elena felt sick.
She read for hours until her eyes hurt. She didn't eat. She didn't rest. She just read and read. She wanted to cry, but she didn't want anyone to see her weakness.
Later in the evening, Lucas said, "You can go home now."
Elena stood up slowly. Her back hurt. Her head hurt. Her heart hurt even more.
She walked toward the exit when she heard someone whisper her name.
"Elena…"
She turned around quickly.
Nobody was there.
"Elena… be careful. Someone here does not want you to join the family."
Her blood ran cold.
The voice was coming from the empty hallway.
She froze.
Then the lights flickered.
And someone stepped out of the shadows.