the spot, staring at the door he'd just exited through. His footsteps had faded down the hallway, but the weight of his presence

wasn't tr

ieve Jordan could change, I couldn't. I couldn't pretend that the man who had walked out t

me down. I reached for the coffee pot, but my hands trembled too much to pour it properly.

ounter startled me, and I glanced down.

d it be easier to ignore him? To distance myself from everyone? To

coul

screen, answe

rough, warm yet tinged with co

retend anymore. "I don't know, Declan. Everything feels like it's falling apart. Jor

you want?" he

did I really want in all of this chaos? My thoughts felt scattere

e. I've spent so much time trying to fix what was broken between

llowed to be confused. You don't have

thing to say. He didn't pressure me. He didn't make me feel like I h

id, my voice thick. "You know everythin

need right now. And if that's space, I'll give it to you. If that's someone to lean

rds were a balm to my bruised soul. But they also made me realize how much I had be

said, a note of uncertainty creeping into my vo

e steady and comforting. "Then take your time, Lila. Do

that rose up inside of me. For a moment,

you," I whispered, m

te, his tone firm yet gentle.

't so sure

to respond, I heard

one else to show up. I hadn't even had the chanc

interrupted my though

door. My pulse quickened. I didn't want anyone else barging into my life

felt a wave of shock rush throug

Claire

he day I had left the company. The day

cautiously, not su

smile, her eyes glinting with somethi

ing I needed. She had always been an enigma-sharp, calculating, and fiercely ambitious. A

trying to keep my voice steady, despi

her heels clicking sharply against the floor. "I nee

d her, eyeing her cauti

ompany. There are some people questioning your

. I wasn't ready for more drama. I wasn't ready to

politics right now, Claire," I said, m

e truth is, Lila, this isn't just about the company anymore

en aback. "Wha

their attention now. Jordan and Declan. And you're going to have to choose. It's not

ead spinning. I wasn't sure what was worse: the decision I had to make between the two

" Claire murmured, he