PTE

ad never l

t was. Too beautiful. Too polished. Too cl

unded by quiet wealth that didn't need to announce itself. The penthouse was calm, almost deceptively

was alre

to his ear as he spoke in a low, controlled tone. Isabella paused without meaning to, struck by

niel looke

rious. Slig

ward her instantly, sharp and assessing, before softening just a fraction. H

early,"

come ba

and something unreadable crossed h

tly arranged to teach Elliot, the space clearly prepared in advance. It

her, posture relaxed but alert, as

early and Isabella and Nathaniel

re they always

he demanded precision. Isabella found herself enjoying these moments more than she should. Teaching him wasn't d

s differently," he

d up. "Is

urved faintly. "

e hadn't expected. She looked away qu

ween them not awkwa

d back slightly

n caught he

use

ore," he said evenly. "You c

ful with questions like that. Curious questio

," she replied. "

not an

xpression guarded. "It's the

respect flicker

r en

shifted. His questions grew fewer, his attention s

realized she was no lo

hered her things, Na

leaving

the disappointment in her ow

then said, "St

cts scream

don

ected quickly.

ching for hidden motives. Found no

she agree

ew their roles well enough to disappear. They sat across from eac

ple," Nathanie

blinked

es

faintly.

pa

admitted.

sty surpr

e we're the sa

Or maybe we're hiding

d between them, h

dn't want him to look at her like that, as if he saw somet

bruptly. "I

ncern crossing his face. "

kly. "I just... hav

, and they b

ped aside, giving her space, but

abe

tu

" he said.

ncerity in his tone ma

re we

e she could ch

ella lay awake l

as just a client. That the warmth in his eyes meant nothing

ep inside, a qui

tting too

had always b