3: Time

lla'

had brought, but no matter how many boxes I opened, I coul

sual dress-out

g by the price tags, even the pajamas were outrageously e

Braun entered the room. His sharp eyes immed

wrong?"

at am I supposed to wear? I can't exactl

stand. I stiffened a little. His touch sent a shiver down my spine-wa

y. "I told Luigi to pick them up and bring t

here. I need to get ready. I have an important meeting today

him straight in the eyes. "I told you, don't get i

for a moment, th

me." His voice softened. "After my meeting, I'

nd cupped my cheek briefly. Then he wal

d out, my voice uncertain,

ghtly, raisin

with a hint of amusement. "Do

, flustered. For some reason, my h

what to call you,"

ed with a faint smirk, dis

r. A question stirred quietly in my mind. Why me? Of all the women in the world

ink about it further. One of the maids infor

into the room. One by one, I checked each outfit and couldn't

r in the front and longer at the back. I paired it with beige espadrille wed

arge mirror and blinked. The woman staring bac

and my hazelnut eyes stood out beneath thick lashes and bold brows

time, I didn't just look be

always drawn attention naturally. As a model, they were my most significant asset. Not ever

athroom, only to find Braun still in the room, seat

a moment, w

ed his frame perfectly. His tousled hair gave him a casua

t left yet?" I

from my face downward, lingering on my legs. "You ha

nd offered his

dded, slipping m

denly rang. I glanced at Bra

rying to reach you. Are you okay?" came

on my way to meet an old friend. I

gently took my ha

you shouldn't go out alone, someone might take advantage

'm fine. I'm not naïve and wou

eat of silenc

oan followed by a woman's voice. Before

nd I tightened my

hameless son

you?" Braun asked quietly.

I'm fine. Just drop me off outside the subdivision. I

he said firmly. It wasn't a

mind was too tang

rehearsal. Xander was supposed to pick me up from my house

der and the woman hiding behind the veil of lies. But now I knew how that

asn't goin

ld reclaim everything they had

y when Braun gentl

id softly. "What can I do

led gray eyes for a fleeting moment. There was no pity

k my head. "Nothing, Mr. Preside

parking lot of the hotel, the same

slipped past my lips

e," I said, biting my

scent of his cologne enveloped me, clean, masculine, and unmistakably expensive.

door on my sid

And don't forget, you still owe me an endearment,"

risk staying another second. One impulsive kiss was al

the moment I left. But instead, my p

g there? Did you forget something?" his voic

ht in front of me. I turned away instinctively,

"I was just about to get in. I... I wanted to w

ake sure you're safe," he said gently

driver's seat, I felt l

to my manager and settle a few things. Aft

p there and come with you to the apartment. I don't wan

uthless businessman everyone gossiped about? This man, my husband, ev

oftly, fastening my seatbe

ed ways at a junction. Moments later, a message popped up fro

myself, amused, staring at h

d the moment another

, I composed myself

said in a f

phone died-battery ran out," Xander

road. "Is there anything you need? I'm

g you could do something for me at the office. It's urg

he steering

ise anything. I told you-I

la, pl

ut in sharply, my voic

still hear him breathing on

s for the company, and I rely on you for thes

'll call you whe

before he could

ooded back-raw, vivid, and agonizing. The betrayal still felt unreal. The two peop

he gas pedal. I refus

r. I needed answers. I needed proof. Once I had it, I would make damn sure

lf. You've been asleep for too long. Ope