Chapter 5 - THE ROOM BEHIND THE LOCKED DOOR
Kalantha returned to Declan's estate to collect several boxes she'd left behind.
The house felt different.
Quieter.
Less like a prison.
More like a place she'd once lived.
As she walked through the upstairs corridor, she noticed a door standing slightly open.
The private study.
Declan's most restricted room.
For two years, she'd never been allowed inside.
She hesitated.
Then knocked.
No answer.
She pushed the door open.
Inside were shelves of files.
Photographs.
Maps.
And a large table covered with documents.
Kalantha stepped closer.
Then froze.
A photograph lay near the edge.
Her.
At nineteen.
Standing outside her university library.
She picked it up.
Her stomach tightened.
Why did Declan have a photograph of her from eight years earlier?
“Looking for something?”
She spun around.
Declan stood in the doorway.
His expression was unreadable.
Kalantha held up the photograph.
“What is this?”
He went still.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Declan said:
“Your father wasn't the first person who put you in danger.”
Kalantha stared.
“What?”
Declan stepped inside.
“Eight years ago, someone connected to your father's business began monitoring your family.”
Her stomach dropped.
“Why?”
Declan looked down.
“Because Victor had information they wanted.”
Kalantha stared at the photograph.
“You knew about me before we met?”
“Yes.”
“How long?”
Declan swallowed.
“Years.”
She stepped back.
“Did you arrange for me to come to your estate?”
“No.”
“Did you know my father would bring me?”
“I suspected he might ask for protection.”
Kalantha shook her head.
“You should have told me.”
Declan nodded.
“Yes.”
She looked around the room.
The files.
The photographs.
The years of secrets.
Then whispered:
“Do you understand why I don't trust you?”
Declan looked at her.
“Yes.”
Kalantha placed the photograph on the table.
Then walked out.
May you like
Declan didn't stop her.
And this time, she was grateful.
