y in her voice, the way she had looked at him-like she had wanted to say something, something important, but had stopped herself at the last second. It lingered in the ai

blic appearances, and social events without a word to Leonhart. He had always maintained his professional distance, but now, it felt like mor

a symbol of the Everleigh family's power and wealth, but inside, Vivienne was like a prisoner. Her beauty, her intelligence, her strength-they were a

like a mask that never quite fit. It was clear she was suffocating under the weight of her own life, and Leonhar

other part of him, the part that had been hardened by years of emotional detachment, warned him again

nd Vivienne standing there, her expression unreadable. She looked every bit the powerful woman she had a

ted her, his voice

a stranger. She climbed into the car and shut the door with a soft click, t

gh the dark streets. Leonhart kept his focus on the road, though his mind was far from it. Vivienn

o broke the silence. "I nee

and it caught him off guard. He had

his tone gentle, despite th

understand something. I can't keep pretending anymore. I can't keep living this life that's been forced upon me. The

ys hidden behind. For the first time, Leonhart saw her for who she truly was-not the cold, untouc

ions in check, but something in Vivienne's voice, something in the desperation in her eyes

knew

it clear that you're trapped in this life, but you've also made it clear that you're not willing to let go of it.

city lights blurred past them. Leonhart's words hung in the air, hea

right. I'm scared. I'm scared of what will happen if I step outside the boundari

moment, he allowed himself to be vulnerable. He wasn't sure why,

g to find yourself. Sometimes, the greatest risk is the one you have to take in order to l

ing his face, and for a brief moment, their gazes l

said, her voice thick with emotion. "The first person

cted connection that had formed between them. It was dangerous. He knew it. But there was no denying that somethi

rleigh estate, Vivienne gave a

her voice quieter now, more resigned. "But

what to say to that

eplied quietly, watching he

termination were all so much more complicated than he had ever expected. He had always seen her as an heir

a long time, Leonhart wa