ck was a tom

blur of streetlights. The ghost of Vanessa's perfume still clung to her, a cloying, fl

on his phone, the blue light etc

n't know the ice his ex-fiancée had

s gaze was flat, professional. "You performed adequately tonight. The comme

Like he was critiquin

, the exhausting performance, it all curdled into a sharp, ho

stion left her lips before she c

tion. The phone's light went d

ed with toys." Lina's voice was low, but it didn't

ough the tinted window painted his face in shades of charcoal and sha

e said, each word precise and chilled. "Her

f sheer exhaustion. "Because she didn't seem to think this w

f his mouth. "Listen to me very carefully, Lina. You have a contract. It defines the entirety of our relationship. Nothing outside of it matters. Not gossip

ted at her. It was a wall of ice, erected

a stage, and the real drama, the history, the emot

whispered, the fight

ou about the next event. Do not speak to Vanessa again if you can av

ice, which made it cut deeper. You are g

the door handle,

in

ed, half

tract is for three months. Keep your head down, do your job, and you will walk a

o advice, or maybe a warni

d night. The car pulled away

he lights. She stood in the middle of the tiny living room, still in the

ety coffee table. They glowed in the faint streetlight, a c

alt and the shame. Crying was a luxury she couldn't afford. Tears wouldn

reverence it didn't deserve, and put on her worn co

ceiling, hearing his words. K

essa's. He always come

It was Colette, her expression grim. She

e without greeting. "The gallery opening was... noticed. A s

looking at the art, his profile indifferent. She was gazing at him, that soft, fabricated smile on her

ch dropped.

ive has changed. The strategy of silent mystery is no longer s

aged

ticated setting. A breakfast. At his penthouse. Paparazzi have been t

d. "I have to s

ill bring a change of clothes. It is a photo opportunity, not an assignation." Colette's tone made it clear the very thought was vul

lose in tighter. First public dates,

to do?" Her voic

ave your own room. Your behavior must be above reproach. The cameras will

ructions hanging in th

st pajamas and a change of clothes. Her ha

he Aegis Club. It drove to the soaring, glittering tower that housed Kni

ned directly

indows showcasing the city like a conquered kingdom. But it was also empty. A museum of one. No

and. He was out of his suit, dressed in dark trousers and a sim

said without turning. "Dinner will be delivered at

, she was dismisse

, impeccable, cold, and utterly impersonal. She placed he

ing out a love story for cameras, while the man she was supposed to be i

s study, likely on a business call. The sound

taged touches or the public smi

e it. For her mot

endless lights, a terrible, s

rrangement wasn't Vanessa's v

ess, empty performance, night aft

that she might, somehow, st