The silence between us stretched, thick and suffocating. My heartbeat drummed in my ears as I stared at Damien, his unreadable smile making my skin prickle.

The sound from behind the bookshelf had been real—I was sure of it. But Damien acted as if he hadn't heard a thing.

I forced myself to breathe, to steady my voice. "What... was that sound?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light, as if I weren't unnerved.

Damien let out a soft chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. "That?" he gestured vaguely toward the bookshelf, his expression effortlessly shifting into something playful. "Probably just an old book shifting. Some of them are stacked a little unevenly."

I frowned, glancing back at the tall shelf. Could a simple book really make a noise like that?

He must have sensed my hesitation because, before I could say anything, he stepped forward and tugged at one of the books. A few hardcovers tilted slightly, their edges unbalanced.

"See?" He smirked. "Nothing sinister. Just gravity."

I bit the inside of my cheek. His explanation made sense—logical, even. But that didn't explain the way he had grabbed me earlier, the flash of anger in his eyes.

Still, what else could I say? That I thought there was something—or someone—behind a bookshelf?

I exhaled and gave him a small, reluctant nod. "I guess that makes sense."

His smirk softened into a warm smile, and he reached for my hands, his grip gentle now, as if trying to erase the tension from moments ago. "Isa, I didn't mean to scare you earlier," he said, his voice smooth. "I just... I worry about you. You're curious about everything, and I panicked because I didn't want you to get hurt."

I hesitated. It was an excuse. But it was a good one.

Damien's eyes searched mine, and for a brief moment, I wondered if I was overthinking everything. Maybe I was just being paranoid. Maybe the man I loved truly had nothing to hide.

I sighed, allowing my shoulders to relax. "I understand."

"Good," he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. "Now, let's get out of here. You're staying for dinner, right?"

I nodded automatically, letting him lead me away from the room. But as we walked down the hall, a single thought wouldn't leave my mind.

If it was just a falling book... why did he look so terrified when I reached for the shelf?

Dinner at Damien's house had been warm and lively, filled with laughter and wedding discussions. His mother doted on me, already calling me her future daughter-in-law, while his father spoke proudly about Damien's success at work. Everything felt perfect—just as it should be.

And yet, I couldn't completely shake off what had happened earlier in his room.

But as I watched Damien sitting beside me at the dining table, effortlessly blending into the comfort of his family, I felt silly for even doubting him. Maybe I had overreacted. Maybe the stress of wedding planning was getting to me.

After dinner, Damien offered to drive me home.

The car ride was quiet at first, the streetlights casting fleeting shadows over his face. I glanced at him—his hands steady on the wheel, his gaze focused on the road ahead, his presence effortlessly calming.

Wanting to break the silence, I asked, "How's work going, Damien?"

He gave me a small smile. "It's going smoothly. A bit hectic, but that's expected."

We talked casually after that—about wedding plans, our families, and the honeymoon destination we had yet to finalize.

The more we talked, the more I scolded myself for my earlier suspicions. This was Damien. My Damien.

His deep, soothing voice, his mesmerizing face, and the way his fingers absentmindedly tapped the steering wheel in rhythm—it all reminded me why I fell in love with him in the first place.

I let my gaze travel to him, admiring the sharp angles of his face, the strong jawline, and the way his dark hair curled slightly at the ends. He was effortlessly handsome—tall, broad-shouldered, and built in a way that always made heads turn when we walked into a room together.

Even in a simple dress shirt, the fabric stretched slightly over his toned arms, and his sharp, sculpted frame was something I always found surprising for a man who supposedly spent all day at a desk. His physique was nothing like the average businessman. He was lean but powerful, with the kind of strength that couldn't come from casual gym visits.

I had always assumed he worked out religiously, but now that I thought about it, he never actually talked about exercising. I had never seen him mention a gym or complain about being sore after a workout.

But at that moment, none of it seemed important.

Even after three years, he still looked at me with the same affection. He was busy running one of the biggest companies in the country, yet he always made time for me.

And as I stole a glance at him, I felt a soft warmth spread through my chest.

How could I have ever doubted him?

Of course, Damien had secrets—everyone did. But I was his fiancée. If there was something important, he would tell me... right?

Pushing all lingering thoughts aside, I leaned back in my seat, feeling secure in the man beside me.

Little did I know, my world was about to shatter.

Unknowingly, I had fallen asleep during the ride. As my eyes fluttered open, the first thing I saw was Damien. His gaze was fixed on me—intense, unwavering. His face held no expression, not a trace of warmth or tenderness. Just an unreadable stillness.

The weight of his stare sent a shiver down my spine, but I forced a small, awkward smile.

"Is there something on my face, Damien?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood.

His answer came swiftly, his voice eerily calm.

"Isa, let's get married quickly. I can't wait."

If it had been said in excitement, I might have laughed, teased him about his impatience. But he was serious. Too serious. His hands gripped the steering wheel a little tighter, his knuckles faintly white.

I glanced outside—the car had already stopped in front of my house. Had we been sitting here in silence this whole time? Pushing away the strange feeling creeping up my spine, I forced my voice to stay steady.

"Don't worry, Damien. Just a few more days, and we'll be married."

For a moment, he didn't respond, his eyes still lingering on me as if searching for something. Then, slowly, he gave a small nod and kissed my forehead softly before bidding me a sweet goodbye.

I stepped out of the car, my thoughts swirling as I walked inside. The house was quiet, the soft hum of the night settling in. Reaching my room, I changed into something comfortable, the exhaustion from the day weighing down on me.

As I lay in bed, sleep came easily. But just before I drifted off, a lingering thought pressed at the edges of my mind—why did it feel like Damien's words weren't just about love, but something else entirely?

And then, everything faded to black...