Reclaiming Her Heart

He replaced a guard who barely registered in the household-just another face handling odd jobs around the estate.

Despite his low profile, the original guard was skilled enough to be selected for this position.

Raymond collected the prepared meal tray from the kitchen and approached the guarded door with measured steps.

"Get in there already," one guard barked, opening the door. "What are you waiting for?"

The room was dark, illuminated only by the hallway light spilling in. Through the shadows, he could make out a woman's silhouette by the window.

Raymond's grip tightened around the tray, rage building inside him-enough to want to tear the entire mansion down brick by brick.

"Hold on," one guard called, studying his retreating figure with suspicion. "Did you get taller or something?"

Raymond remained silent. The second guard rolled his eyes. "You're seeing things. That's what happens when you pull all-nighters."

Ignoring them both, Raymond entered and closed the door behind him, plunging the room into complete darkness.

He switched on the light and finally saw Selena sitting by the window. He approached quietly, placing the tray on the table beside her.

Selena heard the footsteps but said nothing. As he drew closer, her brow furrowed. Something about his presence felt achingly familiar-Raymond's signature scent-but she dismissed the thought as wishful thinking.

Protocol dictated he should leave immediately, and Selena waited for the sound of his departure. When silence persisted, confusion crossed her face.

She wanted to ask why he remained, but her voice failed her. She could only tap her fingers lightly against the table.

Raymond didn't immediately recognize her silent communication. He watched as she lifted her head in confusion, looking around-first behind her, then to her left- searching for him despite standing just five feet directly in front of her.

Panic flashed across her features as she wondered if someone from the Smith family had infiltrated her prison, perhaps tampering with her food again. Last time they'd taken her voice—what would they take next?

She rose unsteadily, feeling along the wall, trying to locate the mysterious presence in her room.

Raymond covered his mouth, shoulders trembling as the devastating truth confirmed itself before his eyes.

He watched as she traced the wall to the door, carefully locked it, then continued her blind search toward the cabinet.

He remained perfectly still, wondering why she made no sound during her desperate search.

Ten minutes passed before Selena nearly collided with a lamp-one chained to the bedside table, preventing its removal.

The impact left her dizzy. She rubbed her forehead, her face draining of color.

Raymond rushed forward, steadying her. Disguising his voice with deliberate hoarseness, he asked, "Ms. Fair, are you alright?"

His altered voice successfully concealed his identity. Selena simply shook her head.

"Ms. Fair, I mean no harm. I'll leave once you've finished eating."

Blind and sensing no threat from him, she stopped resisting. She pushed him away and carefully felt her way back to her seat.

When he moved to help her again, she firmly rejected his assistance.

Raymond surveyed the room-a bed, dresser, lamp, sofa, and table. Every sharp edge had been padded with foam to prevent injury. His heart constricted at the sight.noveldrama

He approached and sat across from her, watching as she methodically spooned food into her mouth, her silence suggesting deep unhappiness.

As she ate, Raymond reached out, his fingertip gently touching the corner of her mouth. She froze instantly.

Again, that familiar scent enveloped her-Raymond's distinctive, calming cologne. His phone, silenced, couldn't alert him to the barrage of incoming calls. John was keeping Christopher occupied at the Montague Group, buying them time.

His fingers traced to her earlobe, discovering an unfamiliar earring. The surrounding skin was inflamed-clearly forced through without care. Leaning closer to examine it, he noticed dried blood still crusting the piercing.

His heart felt like it might shatter completely. While he'd been parading around with Layla, what unspeakable indignities had Selena endured in this place?