"𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬
~𝐀 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐈𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥"
It had been two days since Aera first met Lily.
Two chaotic, exhausting, adorable days.
Lily—Rayden's one-year-old daughter—was a pocket-sized hurricane in pink socks. She never sat still, never finished her food, and never stopped giggling. Aera had learned quickly that "mealtime" was more like a game of tag with applesauce.
And today was no different.
"Come on, Lily! One more bite—just one!"
But Lily shrieked playfully, her tiny legs moving fast as she ran off with half a banana in her hand and mischief in her smile.
Aera chased after her, barefoot and breathless, searching every corridor of the mansion. The clock ticked. Her heartbeat quickened.
"Lily?" she called softly, peeking behind curtains, under tables. Panic bubbled. What if she went outside? What if—
A long hallway loomed ahead.
At the very end stood a door she'd never opened. Dark wood. Unmarked. Ominous.
"He said never go in his office…"
But Lily was still missing.
Aera hesitated for one second—then pushed it open.
The room inside felt… nothing like the rest of the mansion.
It was sterile. Cold. Dominated by deep greys, sharp edges, and clean lines. The curtains were drawn. There were no family photos, no colour—only power and precision. A man's mind made into a room.
Then she heard a tiny giggle.
Her eyes darted under the heavy desk.
There she was.
Lily. Holding a neon blue water gun, her eyes glinting like a villain caught mid-plot.
Aera let out a breathy laugh. "You naughty little—"
Splash.
Right at her chest.
A gasp left Aera's lips as cold water soaked her white t-shirt. The fabric clung to her skin instantly, outlining the deep red lace beneath.
"Lily!" she scolded, half-laughing, arms covering herself.
She leaned in, ready to grab the baby—when it happened.
"What do you think you're doing in here?"
The voice behind her was like a blade dipped in ice.
Her entire body froze.
Rayden stood at the doorway, eyes narrowed, brows drawn low, his tall figure casting a shadow across the room. The air thickened. The temperature dropped.
Aera whipped around, flustered. "I—I'm sorry, I was just looking for Lily and—"
"I told you to never enter my study," he growled, stepping closer. "You were clearly instructed on day one. Or was that too hard to remember?"
His tone was thunder. His presence—lightning.
Aera felt like the ground might open beneath her.
"I didn't mean to—she ran off, and I panicked…" her voice cracked.
He was so close now. Scolding. Unforgiving.
Her throat tightened, fear climbing her spine. For a terrifying second, she thought he might actually—
Then his eyes dropped.
To her soaked shirt.
To the sheer white fabric.
To the lacy red bra clearly outlined beneath it.
Silence.
Aera followed his gaze—and her heart stopped.
She instantly turned, arms crossed to shield herself. Her face burned. "I—I didn't know—"
Rayden's jaw tensed. His eyes flickered, darkened.
Then—like nothing happened—he looked away.
"Go change," he said, voice low and unfamiliar now. "This room isn't a playground."
Before she could even breathe properly, Lily sprinted out with her toy, giggling wildly as her tiny feet vanished down the hallway.
But the room suddenly felt… smaller.
Empty.
Hot.
Rayden cleared his throat sharply, eyes still not meeting hers. "You're dismissed."
Aera ran.
Later that evening, she finally spotted Lily hiding behind the velvet couch. Her hands were still sticky from stolen cookies.
Aera smiled tiredly. "Let's finish dinner, little monster."
After much bargaining, a dance routine, and a lullaby, Lily was finally full and fast asleep in her crib.
Aera tucked her in gently, brushing a tiny curl from her forehead.
"Sleep well, chaos."
Back in her room, Aera leaned against the door.
Her fingers touched the fabric of the clean shirt she wore now.
But her mind was still in that cold office.
With his eyes.
On her skin.
Her cheeks warmed as the moment replayed again… and again.
Why did he look at me like that?
Why did I like it?
She pulled her knees to her chest on the bed.
Some rules weren't just written in contracts.
Some were etched in silence.
And tonight…
She'd broken one that made her heart beat way too fast.
📝 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫'𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞:
I hope you liked this chapter .
What do YOU think he felt in that moment?
Was it guilt? Lust? Fear of losing control?
Do comment , it motivates me to make more chapters
Comment your theories, angels 💌
— Puffy ♡
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