er the glittering cityscape below. Two weeks had slipped by since our whirlwind we

ed to see him leaning casually against the doorframe, his

smile. "Jus

presence both comforting

d. "This new life, us...

is touch, a grounding anchor in a sea of uncertainties. "I know it'

s were down, I could almost forget the complicated circumstances that had broug

ve a surprise for you," he said, a spark of excitement l

raised an eyebrow. "

le tugged at his

hat hugged my curves. Lachlan's eyes widened with appreciation, and for a

ing," he said,

As we stepped into the lobby, I noticed the absenc

replied, guiding me towards a sleek

smerizing kaleidoscope. I tried to guess our destination, b

's most prestigious art museum. "

g me out of the c

open, revealing a solitary security guard who n

the empty halls. Lachlan led me through galleries filled

said softly. "I wanted to share this with you, a

thoughtfulness. "This is inc

nd myself relaxing, genuinely enjoying Lachlan's company. As we reached

h me," he

ftly. "There

the soft strains of a waltz filled the air. He

thing shift between us. The walls we had both built began to crumble, and I

om mine. "I know our marriage started as

shattering glass echoing through the muse

I whispered, cl

rt. "Stay close to me," he ord

sitioning himself protectively in front of me. As w

small, ornate box. They turned at the sound of our approach, a

e came from behind the mask. "

, his stance defensive. "Who

e walls. "Oh, Mr. Reid. It's not about what I want. It'

ng at our feet. Smoke began to billow around us, thick and

ed out, reaching

g it tightly. "Hold on to me

owards an emergency exit. Lachlan made to follow

nd before nodding. "You're ri

chlan pulled out his phone, barking orders to his security team.

sked, his eyes scanning m

"Who was that? Wh

nd worry etched on his face. "I do

he feeling that this was just the beginning. The masked intruder's words ec

orities, and felt a pang of fear. What had I gotten myself into

aw something flicker across his face – guilt, fear, or perhaps both. He opened his

ening, the private museum visit, Lachlan's attempt at vulnerability – ha

air. As I watched Lachlan gesticulating intensely with the police, on

in the air, promising that the answers,