ay aft

t meant to b

called her Ma'am like she was royalty - because Mrs. Laura had asked her to drop o

e gave her the penthouse

d... Pen

Daniels is expect

hot up. "Mr

smiled like he knew

turned ba

osity - hot a

r. No other doors. No neighbors. Just a

ocked.

the doo

a

rey joggers, hair still damp like he'd ju

ked. "H

back. "You

r. "You expected a shoebox apartment

re he could answer. "So this whole time, you've been pret

e closed the door behind

downtown that looked painted, and a room full of mod

said slowly. "Before the project

n't de

r now. "I refined it for our firm's portfolio. Laura saw it at a leadership m

r fi

ng. My father built it. I was groom

omach

she said flatly, "and you're here playing

hing of my own. Earn it without my last n

sound smug. He sound

ms, suddenly aware of

e brooding billionaire wi

ectation. And pressure. And a father who thinks

ared a

ho she thou

betrayed her - again - when

ser. "Does this

arp. "Like how you walk around like the world

low. "Still think I'm jus

n hes

erous when you want to be. But may

his head. "D

past on her way out. But just bef

hiding," she said without turning. "And I

he was

t staring at the

ech

pen the emotional stakes, and pe

arting with the confro

ix: Lines

tation when he brought it up - casual

e said from across the table, eyes on his

froze on t

up slowly.

desk drawer. The kid with the massive afro and t

d. "You went th

knuckles. "You left it open when you went to grab coffee. And

tightened. "H

n years older?" he guessed, l

a half," she c

side. You juggle more than most of us combined. Your apartment's in the north e

ir sh

o his. "Why are yo

you. I see you, Heaven.

ce," she snapped, ri

wed. "I wasn't

. My life isn't part of your curiosity. Or your weird need to feel

't judg

slightly. "You were pitying me. And I don't n

ressed be

tler now. "It wasn't

ight in her chest. Her puls

our respect eit

n't sure sh

r things with s

reason, Jace. Stay o

here - silent, frustrated,

ai