Chapter 1

Scarlett

I took a deep breath, watching Tyler's handsome face lean closer.

"Scarlett, are you sure about this?" His voice carried a hint of hesitation.

"Stop talking and kiss me." My tone was almost commanding.

Without waiting, I pressed my lips against his.

This wasn't the kiss I wanted, but it had to be real enough, convincing enough for the man standing across the street to see clearly. The man who had been my guardian since I was ten, the man who took me in after my parents died in that car crash, the man I should call "Don" but never have—Damien.

Back then, my grandmother was in poor health, confined to a sanatorium in Switzerland, completely unable to raise a ten-year-old girl who had just lost her parents. And Damien, as my father's most trusted business partner and best friend, became my only option.

Eight years. For eight years he'd given me the best life, the best education, the best of everything. But he'd also given me the most painful emotion—I'd fallen in love with someone I shouldn't love.

I could feel Damien's gaze piercing my back like a blade, that burning stare making my heart race.

Tyler's kiss was inexperienced, gentle, but my mind was completely elsewhere.

I kept my eyes open, looking over Tyler's shoulder toward the street across from Columbia University's entrance. That black Maserati sat quietly there, windows down.

I saw him.

Damien was sitting in the driver's seat, his usually stern face now dark as a thundercloud. Even from across the street, I could clearly see the fury burning in his eyes.

Perfect.

I deliberately deepened the kiss, even wrapping my arms around Tyler's neck, putting on a show of being completely lost in the moment. I wanted my guardian to see everything clearly, to see exactly how he'd react.

Sure enough, within ten seconds, I heard those familiar footsteps.

That urgent, powerful stride, each step carrying barely contained rage.

"Get your hands off her!"

The thunderous roar made Tyler immediately release me. I turned around to see Damien striding toward us, his expression even more terrifying than when he'd been in the car.

That anger, that possessiveness, that obvious jealousy—this was exactly what I wanted to see.

Would a normal guardian be this furious? Would a man who only saw his ward as a responsibility show this kind of jealousy?

"Damien—" I started to speak, but he roughly pulled me behind him.

"Stay away from her, or you'll regret it." He spoke to Tyler, his voice low and menacing, like something from the depths of hell.

Poor Tyler went pale. He looked at me, then at the furious Damien, and finally left without saying a word.

"Get in the car. Now." Damien's voice was low as he spoke to me, that commanding tone making my heart pound.

But I didn't move immediately. I stood there, looking up at him. This man who had raised me for eight years—I'd seen his coldness in business, his severity with subordinates, but I'd never seen him this out of control.

"I said, get in the car." He repeated, this time with even more authority.

I obediently followed him to the Maserati. But deep inside, I was celebrating. This was exactly the reaction I wanted!

He was jealous, he was angry—this proved his feelings for me went far beyond a guardian's responsibility!

The moment the car door slammed shut, the enclosed space filled with tension. I stole glances at Damien—his hands gripping the steering wheel were trembling slightly, his jaw clenched tight, his entire being radiating danger.

"What the hell was that about?" He finally spoke, his voice still edged with anger.

I looked at him provocatively: "I'm eighteen. I can kiss whoever I want."

Eighteen—legally an adult, no longer needing a guardian. But I knew, and hoped, he would never let go.

"Not while you're under my protection." His response was immediate, almost reflexive.

My heart filled with sweetness. Under his protection? That sounded like possession, like caring.

"You know what?" I took a deep breath, deciding to take the gamble. "I don't even like Tyler."

Damien's body visibly stiffened, but he didn't turn to look at me.

"The person I love is someone else entirely." I stared at his profile, carefully speaking those words.

His grip on the steering wheel tightened even more, his knuckles turning white. The tension in the air was almost suffocating.

"Enough," he suddenly cut me off, his voice somewhat hoarse. "Just focus on getting ready for tonight's birthday party."

With that, he awkwardly turned away, no longer looking at me.

I let out a cold laugh.

Fine, Damien. For eight years you've treated me like a little girl who needs protection, but starting tonight, I'm going to show you I've grown up. At tonight's birthday party, I'll give you a surprise you'll never forget.

A few hours later, the Four Seasons Hotel ballroom was brilliantly lit.

I stood before the mirror in a deep red evening gown—a color I'd chosen deliberately. Passionate as fire, just like my feelings for him. The dress was simply designed but perfectly outlined my figure.

Walking into the ballroom, I immediately spotted Damien. He wore a tailored black suit, deep in conversation with several business associates.

I saw his gaze linger on me for a few seconds before quickly looking away, but that burning look set my entire body on fire.

Throughout the entire party, I kept watching him. Every time another guy approached me, I could feel his eyes on us. Every time I talked to some guy, I could see his hands clenching into fists.

These reactions made me more and more certain—he wasn't indifferent to me.

Halfway through the party, I finally made my decision.

I walked to the center of the ballroom and gently tapped my wine glass. The clear chime made everyone fall silent, all eyes focusing on me.

My heart was pounding like a drum, but I knew this was my only chance. If I didn't say it tonight, I might never have the courage again.

"Thank you all for coming to my eighteenth birthday party." My voice rang clear in the quiet ballroom. "Many of you have known me since I was ten, watching me grow up under Damien's care."

I looked around the room, seeing those familiar faces wearing fond smiles. They all knew my story, had all witnessed Damien's devoted care over these eight years.

"Turning eighteen means becoming an adult, means I can take responsibility for my own choices." I took a deep breath, locking my gaze on Damien. "So tonight, I want to say something—something I've kept buried in my heart for far too long."

Damien stood in the crowd, his face turning deathly pale, as if he already sensed what I was about to say.

The ballroom was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was waiting for my next words.

I stared directly into Damien's eyes and used every ounce of strength I had to say:

"I love you, Damien. Not as a girl loves her guardian, but as a woman loves a man!"

The moment those words left my lips, the entire ballroom erupted into chaos.