The Alchemist of Broken Dreams by Sienna Rose Blackwell 28

Chapter 28 

DYLAN 

I felt lightheaded, like I might pass out from holding my breath the entire time. My cheeks were on fire, the heat of my embarrassment spreading through me. I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that he made me come–right there in the car–with someone else just a few feet away. 

Even though the driver didn’t so much as glance back, it didn’t make the situation any less mortifying. 

I let out a sigh of relief once the car finally stopped. I noticed that we didn’t go back to his penthouse. Instead, we stopped in front of a huge mansion. 

The mansion stood tall at the end of a long, curving driveway, hidden behind high iron gates and thick bushes that seemed to hold dark secrets. It looked like a classic beauty and quiet threat–its stone walls covered in vines, with tall marble pillars at the front and huge wooden doors carved with strange symbols that made you feel like they belonged to a powerful, ancient family. 

Dozens of windows reflected the moonlight, all of them covered with heavy curtains, hiding whatever was inside. Black railings lined the balconies, which looked out over perfect gardens that seemed too neat to be harmless. Everything about the place showed power and wealth–not something passed down through generations, but something earned through fear and control. 

Water poured gently from fountains in the courtyard, the soft sound contrasting with the men holding guns who stood guard at every corner. This wasn’t just a house. It was a fortress–a beautiful prison covered in gold 

and marble. 

One of his men opened the door for me, and the other one did the same for him. 

“Where are we?” I asked as soon as we stepped out of the car. 

“We’re at my house,” he replied as he walked past me, leading the way. 

But I stood still as my eyes roamed around the place. I was hesitating. I’m not sure whether coming inside was a good idea. Despite its glamorous facade, with all the armed men surrounding its every corner, it’s more like a prison. 

“Are you coming?” His deep and baritone voice pulled me out of my reverie. 

I turned to look at him and saw his arm stretched out, his hand gently reaching for mine. And somehow, just like that, every worry I had seemed to fade. All the fear I’d been holding onto melted away in the warmth of his presence. He was like light breaking through the shadows of this cold, gloomy place. 

Funny, really–because he was the very reason all of this darkness existed in the first place. 

But as I looked at this man, I was immediately reminded of what happened in the car. I feel like a cold bucket of water over my head. This is all wrong. I should have never allowed this. 

I let out a loud sigh. What am I doing here? I should leave while I still can. 

“I–I think I should go now. Thanks for your help, but you don’t have to. I can take care of myself.” I bowed my 

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Chapter 28 

head and turned my back, attempting to leave. 

I hadn’t taken a few steps when I felt my feet lifting from the ground. The