CHAPTER 47: THEO’S DEAD

"Check! Check what happened to her face, now! Call Miles, I need him right now!"

Theo’s voice thundered through the room, sharp and commanding, ricocheting off the walls.

He staggered back a step, pressing both hands to his temples.

"This fucking headache!" he hissed through gritted teeth.

His breathing came in short, uneven bursts. The room spun and he continued staggering.

"Sir..." Marla’s voice wavered, her calm already fraying. She rushed forward and grabbed his arm, trying to steady him. "Sir, you’re burning up. You’re not well. Please sit down... just for a second."

But Theo pulled away, shaking his head violently, eyes wild.

"Did someone hurt her?" he snapped. "Her lips are bruised. Who touched her?"

"Sir, you need to breathe—"

"Call Miles! Now!"

His voice cracked on the last word. He couldn’t tell what hurt more, his head splitting open or the image of Daisy’s face as she walked away from him.

The pain surged again, sharper and deeper this time. He gasped and stumbled forward, clutching the edge of the table, knocking over a glass. It shattered across the floor, but he didn’t flinch. His knees buckled.

Then—Stillness.

Marla watched as his breathing slowed. His shoulders rolled back. His spine straightened, like someone had clicked into place behind his eyes.

He blinked once, then another one before turning to her with a lopsided grin.

"Whew," he said, with a bright, boyish laugh. "That headache was murder. Literally thought I was dying. But..." he flexed his fingers, cracking his knuckles, "guess not today."

Marla’s lips parted. "Sir?"

His eyes darted to her, and he lit up like she’d said something wonderful. "Heyyy, Marla! Still here? That’s loyalty. I like that." He took a step toward her, playful, loose, the air around him lighter but wrong. Utterly wrong.

"I guess you can sleep well tonight?" Elias smiled, and it wasn’t a comfort. It was the kind of smile that crept under your skin. The kind that said, ’I’ll do anything this time to make sure I stay.’

Then, almost too casually, he added, "He always fights back, you know. Claws and screams like it matters. Like anyone would choose him over me." His voice stayed chipper, but something flickered behind his eyes.

He turned toward the mirror, adjusted the cuff of his sleeve, admiring the reflection. "But I’m done playing as a guest. It’s about time Theo took a nap."

He flashed Marla one last grin, all teeth and charm. "So...what’s on the schedule?"

Marla opened her mouth but didn’t manage to utter a word.

"Scrap it!" he waved a hand dramatically. "I’m going shopping! Hell nah I will wear this boring suit..." He tugged at the lapel with visible distaste. "Theo really has no taste, huh? All dark, no fun."

"Sir, perhaps—"

"Nope!" He spun on his heel, already striding toward the door. "Cancel everything. If anyone calls, tell them Theo’s dead. Kidding—kinda." He tossed her a wink over his shoulder. "Let’s not disturb the man. He needs his rest."

Marla stood frozen, eyes wide. "Sir... you can’t." She rushed to the door and shut it firmly. "We currently have an important meeting and you shouldn’t leave..."

She fumbled for her phone, heart pounding, but Elias was faster.

"Nuh–uh." He snatched it from her hand with a grin, twirling it between his fingers. "Don’t even think about calling that woman." His eyes narrowed. "I know now."

Marla’s breath caught. "I’m calling Miles, sir. So... give me my phone back."

He tapped the phone lightly against his lips, as if considering her request. "What was it, hmm?" he murmured, more to himself than her. "Was it the moment we touched? Skinship? Her scent? That spot right on her neck..."

His eyes flicked upward, glazed with a fleeting memory, a darker thought surfacing. "That moment, right before Theo came clawing back...I felt it... Her..."

He took a step back and exhaled, smiling almost triumphantly. "Whatever it was, I figured it out." Then, with a glint of cold resolve, "All I need to do now... is stay far, far away from that woman."

He shoved her gently aside, more amused than aggressive, and casually tossed her phone behind him like it was trash. It skidded across the floor.

Then, with one hand already on the doorknob, he flashed her a wink.

"Let’s meet again in a month? Maybe I’ll bring you something nice."

He opened the door, stepping out like a man with all the time in the world. Whistling softly.

Skipping straight to the elevator, he pushed the button. "Let’s go down..." he mumbled to himself.

Just then, someone came around the corner from his right.

"What the hell?" He jumped a step back, blinking. "Woah. You really are something else."

A slow grin spread across his face as he tilted his head, eyes glinting. "Speak of the devil."

Daisy, still flustered and clearly embarrassed, lowered her gaze to hide her red, tear-ringed eyes.

"I’m sorry... it’s just that I urgently need to use the toilet..."

"Ah... really?" Elias bobbed his head, the smile never quite reaching his eyes. "That’s adorable."

But then, his gaze sharpened, fixing on her face, "What happened to your face?"

He stepped forward without warning, closing the distance in a blink.

Daisy barely had time to react before he was right there, his eyes scanning her like a forensic artist solving a crime scene. His stare landed on the faint bruise along her cheekbone... then the cracked corner of her lip.

He tilted his head, and his smile stretched wider.

"Who hit you?" he asked, voice light, playful but there was something cold underneath. Something sharp.

"Ah... it’s nothing..." She lowered her gaze, shielding her face with her palm. But then, she stilled.

The air shifted.

The tone.

The way he looked at her.

Something was off.

Slowly, she lifted her head and met his gaze. "Theo?"

Elias smiled, scrunched his nose, and shook his head. "Nope."

Daisy froze. ’What happened? Just a moment ago... he was Theo Kingsley.’

Her eyes narrowed. Acting fast, she reached out to touch him, needing to be sure.

But Elias was quicker as he dodged her hand effortlessly, his grin widening. "No, not again..."

She didn’t stop. In one smooth move, she stepped in and hooked her arm around his.

His smirk faltered as their arms linked.