ning, Leah woke e

ng somewhere back on that dance floor caught in the echo of Xavier's hand on her wais

tarting to f

wardrobe, and padded barefoot to the kitchen. The penthouse was t

and counter, scrolling through news on her phone. Her name hadn't been used in the hea

relief. But instead

rni

ants, tie slung loose around his neck. His hair was still damp from a

id, clutching her

for someone half-asleep. He poured himself coffe

night," he said. "Cassa

tri

dn't le

didn't think you were the

ook a slow sip.

e stre

into this life, really? I know it wasn't just abo

d slightly. "You

es

mes. Of women chasing my name. Of al

bought h

me. Who said exactly what she needed and d

speak for a

d down at

hink I'd ma

supposed to,"

ain charged, heavy with somethi

ment today," Leah said sud

yebrow. "Is so

st... routin

ened slightly. "Do

surprised. "W

sister. And for no

rted, but no w

her more the offer, or the

that a

h lighting were part of her reality. The smell of antiseptic, the

y was di

office, not a pediatric ward. Xavier drew eyes wherever he went doctors, nurses, even

quietly, almos

y near the end of the hallway. The little girl was sitting up

chirped, eye

side, hugging her gently. "H

s eyes flicked past

hesit

d crouched beside the bed

aid simply. "Your

eyes in a way th

er menti

robably m

odded once, satisfied. "Oka

Leah, then n

a sun that looked like it was exploding. "This is me, thi

iously. "Very creativ

bea

trange moment of domestic peace in the middle

r her scans, Leah and

you," Leah

's s

every

her. "How long h

affects her immune system. One bad infection

arried th

eighteen. I became her legal guardian. Ev

ked away f

erstan

stand

airy tale. You were alre

ed the lump

. "She's the only reason I agre

her, something unreada

ll don't

ered. "But I'm startin

silence it was settled. Like something between them had shifted in

he city. His posture was relaxed, arm resting

with her," sh

but she saw the faint

kids," he replied. "They usual

did

greed. "Sh

n asked, "Do you ha

r brother. He died in a car

sor

e. The subject closed, the lock

didn'

rd her room, expecting the day to end the way m

ier spo

nne

rned.

n. You probably

rder som

ing we could

, uncertain. "Out?

o people trying to figure out if they'r

eath c

've reminded herself this was

torous and too soft

," sh

r Late

at elite rooftop restaurants or private clubs. Instead, he brought her t

quain

xpe

hum of classical music and soft clinks

n?" Leah teased as

board meetings. Before the press. Befo

her glass. "So... the co

itched. "Do

iled,

lked. Not about contracts or charities or business

ed he use

ht. "Let me guess. Storm

ied with a faint smirk.

ull of su

. "You brin

stil

so simple but they lan

dangerous, right?"

at

and me. Blu

lready m

fe. Boundaries. Terms. I can't

her c

etween them was charged a

nt to hurt

't," she

That

or ride up

uzzed from the way his fingers had brushed hers across the

t supposed

ren't part

evator

stepp

ithout a word, but Xavier's

ea

ed him,

becomes something real... I

said softly. "But I

cheek, so lightly i

r en

hat, he turned

knees weak, and her soul compl

rived with a sicken

nees as her stomach twisted. Cold sweat gathered on her forehe

ag

tion in the mirror. Pale. Exhausted. Her eyes

lifestyle, the emotional weight of everything

f

zed on the ba

Cycle missed

heart s

o, no

the sink, b

dn't be h

the days, mentall

drowned her fears in half a bottle of wine and found unexp

h had chosen not

d pretended h

et this b

stincts whispered what

her bed, eyes on the un

te

n't thought

. Not l

followed the instructions. Minutes felt like hours. Her en

li

slo

ot

w

dn't b

't m

as if trying to feel what had

gna

nock sta

t behind her and st

s voice

he door slig

You're pale.

a little sick this morning

ly, like he didn't belie

ay's meeting?" he asked. "You

d quickly. "I

you s

e. Couldn't bear to look at him and know s

tly. "But let me kn

g to leave, and for a seco

mo

ds caught i

led, emotionally distant husband t

eve

to distrac

ed. Read the same page

the voice in her he

didn't beli

r wanted a temporary wife

ting to look at he

his changed

uin the fragile trust they'd buil

stirring a pot of soup whe

arm, tie loosened. He looked tired, but whe

good,"

t I'd coo

dn't ha

ante

uld barely swallow. Her stomach churned not from the

the meal, he set

ly, "if something's wro

fr

ocked on hers.

ips p

ust say it. Blurt it out.

his pho

wn at the scr

have to

to the hallwa

hed him d

age she had evap

toni

row.