Diana couldn't ignore it anymore.
Not the tension.
Not the words.
Not the way her chest tightened every time she thought about what Adriana said.
"He doesn't want you enough."
Her jaw clenched.
"No," she muttered.
She refused to believe that.
But belief wasn't the problem.
Doubt was.
And she hated it.
The door to Victor's study was slightly open.
Light spilled through the gap.
He was inside.
Working.
Of course.
Like nothing had happened.
Diana stood there for a moment.
Thinking.
Then
She pushed the door open.
Victor didn't look up immediately.
"Something you need?" he asked calmly.
Diana stepped inside.
Closed the door behind her.
"I want to understand something," she said.
Now he looked up.
"And what would that be?"
Diana didn't hesitate this time.
"You."
Silence.
Victor leaned back slightly in his chair, studying her.
"You've made that clear."
"Not like this," she said.
Something in her tone shifted.
Lower.
More deliberate.
Victor noticed.
Of course he did.
"Then explain," he said.
Diana stepped closer.
Slow.
Measured.
"You said you don't mix emotions with decisions," she began.
"I don't."
"Then why does it feel like you're fighting something?"
Victor's gaze sharpened slightly.
"I'm not."
Diana stopped in front of his desk.
Close enough.
"You are," she said quietly. "And I want to know why."
A pause.
Victor stood.
Now they were on the same level.
"Be careful what you ask for," he said.
Diana's heart started racing.
But she didn't step back.
"Or what?" she challenged softly.
Victor stepped around the desk.
Closing the distance.
"Or you'll get an answer you can't handle."
Her breath caught.
"Try me."
Silence.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
And then
Diana moved first.
She reached for his collar.
Pulled him slightly closer.
Victor stilled.
Completely.
That alone told her everything.
"You keep stopping," she whispered. "Maybe I don't want you to."
That was it.
That was the line.
Something in Victor snapped.
His hand came up
Grabbing her wrist.
Firm.
Not rough.
But not gentle either.
"Diana," he said, his voice lower now, rougher, "you don't understand what you're doing."
Her pulse spiked.
"Then show me."
Silence.
One second.
Two
And then
Victor pulled her closer.
Hard.
The distance disappeared instantly.
His other hand came to her waist.
Holding her in place.
This wasn't controlled anymore.
This was instinct.
"You want to test limits?" he said, his voice right against her ear.
Diana's breath hitched.
"Maybe I do."
That was all it took.
Victor's restraint broke.
His hand tightened slightly at her waist
And then
He kissed her.
Not soft.
Not hesitant.
Intense.
Controlled chaos.
Diana froze for half a second
Then responded.
And that made it worse.
Because now
It wasn't one-sided.
It was mutual.
Dangerous.
Victor pulled back suddenly.
Too suddenly.
Like he had just realized something.
His breathing wasn't steady anymore.
Neither was hers.
"That shouldn't have happened," he said.
Diana stared at him.
Her lips parted slightly.
"But it did."
Victor stepped back.
Creating distance again.
This time
It felt forced.
"Don't do that again," he said.
Diana frowned. "Why?"
His jaw tightened.
"Because next time," he said quietly, "I might not stop."
Her heart pounded harder.
"And that's a problem?"
Victor looked at her.
And this time—
There was no mask.
"Yes."
Silence.
Diana felt it.
That shift again.
"But you didn't stop," she said softly.
A pause.
Then
Victor's voice dropped.
"You pulled me in."
That wasn't an excuse.
It was a warning.
And somehow
That made it worse.
Diana took a slow breath.
Trying to steady herself.
"This changes things," she said.
Victor didn't deny it.
"Yes," he replied.
Silence.
Then
A knock on the door.
Both of them froze.
"Sir," a voice came from outside. "There's an urgent call. It's about the company."
Victor closed his eyes briefly.
Regaining control.
"Give me a minute."
"Of course, sir."
Silence returned.
But the moment was gone.
Victor stepped back fully now.
Composed again.
Controlled.
Like nothing had happened.
But everything had.
Diana turned toward the door.
Pausing briefly.
"You didn't stop," she said again, softer this time.
Victor didn't respond.
And that silence
Said everything.
Diana left.
But one thing was clear now.
The line between them?
It wasn't just crossed.
It was gone.