Title: Falling Through Shadows

Chapter 3: Bound by Circumstance

Elara's POV

The gentle vibration of her phone woke Elara up at exactly 3:00 a.m. She felt the weight of exhaustion but allowed herself just a brief nap, determined to start the day as soon as possible. By 4:00 a.m., she was up and ready, moving quietly through the mansion, careful not to disturb her sleeping boss. She wanted to finish her tasks before he even noticed her presence. She swept, dusted, and tidied the rooms before making her way to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

As she scrambled eggs and placed bread in the toaster, she heard footsteps on the stairs. Liam walked into the kitchen, looking groggy but composed. Her heart raced as he approached; even the sound of his footsteps made her tense.

Liam halted for a moment, glancing at her over the edge of the counter. There was a strange look in his eyes, a softness she hadn't seen before, but it vanished as quickly as it had appeared. He left without a word, and she resumed cooking, forcing herself to ignore the slight disappointment she felt at his silence. She prepared a small plate for herself, a modest serving hidden in the kitchen, knowing she was only allowed to eat separately.

Later That Night

It was nearing midnight, but Elara couldn't sleep. Thoughts swirled in her mind—she had managed to fulfill all of Liam's demands today, but something inside her still felt restless. She got up and wandered downstairs, her steps quiet as she moved through the dimly lit rooms.

To her surprise, she found Liam stumbling into the living room, clearly intoxicated. He swayed on his feet, his eyes glazed and unfocused. Concern surged in her, and she hesitated only a moment before rushing forward to steady him. He leaned heavily on her, his weight almost causing her to lose her balance.

Liam's arms instinctively wrapped around her waist as they both fell onto the sofa. Elara froze, her breath catching as she found herself face-to-face with him, mere inches apart. His hand lingered on her waist, his touch surprisingly warm despite the alcohol scent lingering between them. She could feel his slow, heavy breaths, the faint smell of cologne and liquor.

He blinked, his eyes glassy yet filled with an ache she didn't fully understand. "You know... I was the best, the absolute best," he mumbled, slurring his words. "Why... why would you cheat on me?"

Elara's heart softened as she realized the pain in his voice. So, that's why he was drinking so heavily tonight. Gently, she slipped his hand off her waist, careful not to disturb him further. Once he was sound asleep, she fetched a damp towel and cleaned his face, removed his shoes, and draped a blanket over him. Settling down beside the sofa, she sat quietly, keeping vigil until her own eyes grew heavy.

Liam's POV

Liam woke up groggy, a faint memory of the night before slipping back into focus. Had he... said something to Elara? A hazy recollection came to him, a memory of her gentle touch and the way she'd looked at him. Shaking his head, he pushed the thought aside and glanced over at the sofa, only to find Elara asleep, curled up beside him.

For a moment, he simply watched her, struck by how peaceful she looked. There was an undeniable beauty in her features, softened in sleep, and it unsettled him. He'd always kept people at a distance, but something about her resilience intrigued him, even if he wouldn't admit it.

Realizing she was waking up, he quickly masked his expression, his face hardening as he cleared his throat. "Why are you still here? Shouldn't you be working?" His voice was harsh, and he saw her flinch slightly, bowing her head apologetically.

"I'm sorry, sir," she murmured, clasping her hands nervously. "I'll get started right away."

Impatiently, he grabbed a handful of her hair, his grip firm as he forced her to look up at him. "I don't like lazy people," he muttered, before letting go abruptly, watching as she bit back tears. She didn't allow herself to show weakness, only whispered another apology before disappearing down the hall.

Elara's POV

As Elara made her way to the kitchen, she fought to steady herself, refusing to let Liam's words get to her. She knew her place here, and she would endure whatever he threw her way if it meant having shelter and food. Once the breakfast was ready, she placed Liam's meal on the table and returned to her small plate of plain rice in the corner.

As she ate, she noticed Liam approaching, his gaze briefly falling on her. Startled, she instinctively hid her plate behind her, not wanting him to see her meager meal. She couldn't bear to look at him, her face heating as she tried to act as though nothing was wrong.

Liam watched her for a moment, his face unreadable. Then, without a word, he turned and walked away, leaving her alone in the kitchen, her heart pounding from the close call.