ss as if holding onto the last remnants of control over her life. The city lights flickered past the tin

as en

ael Ma

e same man who had humiliated her in front of hundreds

made her s

el's deep voice brok

oward him, glaring. "Oh, r

the steering wheel with effortless control. "You're grip

" she muttered u

ething close to amusement but not quite.

jaw. "You have no ide

as if trying to decipher whether she was bluffing. He didn't say anything for a l

t but firm. "This arrangement is happening whether we like it or not

if I'm not thrilled about throwing my entire

ightened slightly. "It's not

t all. You already have everything-money, power, a pe

tensed, but h

his expression-something restrained, something almost bitter. But then, just as qu

rised," he fin

uestion him, the car slowed to a stop i

nced, stepping out of the

trying to steady herself b

lier casting a golden glow over everything. This wasn't just any apartment. This was t

vate elevator, the tension betwe

t, trapping them inside

g, or is it just with me?" s

ould you prefer if I lied to you? Told

st prefer if you acted like a human

of his lips. Not quite a smirk, but

oice low. "You almost sound l

. "I enjoy winning argume

se. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city skyline, sleek modern furniture arrang

the man wh

ly hyperaware of the real

om now on," Rafael said, s

o

reign, like it d

floor. The space was beautiful, yet sterile. No warmth, no personal touche

e their

to face him, he

e the turmoil inside her. "I'll play my part in public. I'll sm

change, but she could tel

p closer, her gaze unwavering. "You stay

, slowly, Rafael tilted his head, his dark eyes

" he fin

exhaled,

om that was now hers, she couldn't shake the fee

someway, she was g