Between Deadlines and Desires

s across Olivia Dalton's tiny Brooklyn apartment. She stirred before

. The coffee was already brewing. She moved like a woman born for mornings-elegant, eff

eed, one empire to serv

a pan, footsteps padded

, face still puffy with sleep. S

?" she asked, her dark bro

like a good day already." He rubbed his eyes. "

d. "Don't

d her shoulder gently. "Don't

pa

gal

d, grinning.

acticed flick. "I remember. I'll

stern look. "That's no

to face him. "I'll b

e gesture hit her harder than she expected. Some people pinky-swore

. She caught a glimpse of herself in the microwave door-tired eyes, sharp cheekbones,

sent them at 3:12 a.m. She read the subject lines-one about rescheduling his board call, t

screen while the coffee machine hissed. Then s

subtle, professional. Executed in fifteen minutes flat. There was

resser. A small, dusty sketchbook sat underneath a pile of recei

d to open it. Not

ic breath and a teenage girl filming a TikTok dance. She didn't fli

something w

rations, jagged and bold. Olivia's eyes lingered. The strokes reminded her of somet

ly. Reality didn't al

Capital with the grace of someone who'd done it ten thousand tim

an like a silent threat, cold and

a Dalton wasn't just an executive assistant-she was Clinton Reign's right hand, spine, and

r general in heels. No mistake was allowed. No

silent it could hold a secret. The assistant in the outer o

s office, stood

window with a phone to his ear. Even in silence, he commande

"You're two minutes e

ed, placing the tablet with

said, still n

was already sorting throug

ith Representative Cormac was confirmed for 12:30 at The Argent. At 3:00, you're re

his gaze sharp, unreada

ked. "Un

ek. I don't have time for s

lready typing. "

ching her fingers m

voice-detached, but faintly

ned to t

ilding. She didn't look up at the towering glass

Don't start

ed toward Brooklyn, Olivia finally allowed herself to breath

5. The place was tucked between a laundr

up when he saw h

dn't I?" she said,

han glow as he described the short film he wanted to make someday. For the first time that da

the life she built so care

nder routine royalty