LOGINLena spent the next few months in a strange kind of peace.Her days settled into a quiet rhythm. She juggled between her tech freelancing work, visits to Evelyn, and long hours at the hospital with her father.He drifted in and out of consciousness, but there was improvement. And that was enough for her.It had been two months since she made that deal with Rhys—cutting off all ties with his cousin.Ever since that night, two months ago, she hasn't seen Theon.At first, she had expected him to show up, cause trouble, and push boundaries like he always did. But he didn’t.There were no calls, or sudden appearances. Nothing.For a man who had inserted himself into her life with such force, his silence was louder than she anticipated.She now lived with Rhys in his penthouse, so she couldn’t tell if Theon had ever gone to her old place looking for her.Part of her wondered if he indeed had. Part of her was glad she didn't know.The decision still sat heavy in her chest sometimes, but she
Evelyn and Lena decided to walk back home to help with digestion.They were almost at Lena’s street when a black vehicle sped past them.Lena paused, turning her head.“Hm… who’s that?”She narrowed her eyes, trying to catch the plate number.“I’m not expecting anyone… and that’s not Rhys’ car either.”Evelyn’s lips pressed together.“That… looks like the car Roman usually uses.”Lena’s eyes widened instantly.“Eve! You didn’t text him your location or anything?!”Evelyn flinched slightly. “No need to yell. I forgot.”Lena stared at her in disbelief.“Do you want to land me in trouble?!”“Why would you get in trouble?” Evelyn asked, confused.Lena dragged a hand down her face.“Check your phone. Now.”Evelyn slowly brought it out. She swallowed.Lena’s patience snapped.“What?!”“Thirty-nine missed calls, and… fifteen messages.”Silence settled between them.Lena’s mouth fell open. “How did you not see any of that?!”“…It was on silent.”Lena didn’t say another word. She grabbed Evely
Lena was surprised to see Evelyn crouched in front of her house.She quickly stepped out of the car and ran toward her.“Eve!”Evelyn looked up. Her eyes were red.Lena’s brows knitted immediately.“Why are you—what’s going on?”Her gaze swept around.“Where’s your driver?”Evelyn sniffed. “I came alone.”That only made Lena more worried.“Evelyn, what’s happening?” she asked again.“I…” Evelyn trailed off, her voice hoarse.—A few minutes later, Lena sat across from her, completely dumbfounded.Slurp. Slurp.Evelyn didn’t even spare her a glance as she devoured the instant noodles in front of her.Lena’s lips twitched.“Are you this starved?” she finally asked.Slurp.Evelyn took a few more bites before lifting her head.“Roman won’t let me eat things like this often,” she said, her mouth still full. “So yes… I’m starving.”Lena pressed her lips together.“He should at least let you eat what you want. You’re pregnant.”Gulp. Gulp.Evelyn drank the soup greedily.“Hah…” she exhaled i
Lena took a cold shower, letting the water run over her as she tried to calm her racing thoughts.But it didn’t help much.When she finally stepped out, she felt drained—both physically and mentally.The house was silent.It made her wonder if Rhys was still around.She slowly made her way to the elevator and went downstairs.Her steps led her straight to the door, but she paused.She felt a gaze on her.Lena slowly turned.Rhys sat at the dining table.His hair was slightly damp, and he was dressed in dark casual clothes, looking composed. As if nothing had happened between them.“Come. Sit.”His voice carried across the room.“You haven’t eaten anything,” he continued, calmly spreading jam on a slice of toast. “This was brought in fresh this morning.”Lena frowned, staring at him.It was like the earlier confrontation had been erased. Like he had simply reset.Her feet remained rooted to the ground, torn between walking toward him or heading straight for the door.Her gaze flickered
Lena scrunched her face as sunlight filtered through the window, the brightness pressing against her eyelids.She tried to open her eyes, but they felt heavy.Her entire body ached dully. Dragging everywhere, but it was sharper in her lower body.“Mm…” she let out a low, pained sound.She tried to turn to her side, but something heavy pinned her in place. Warm breath brushed against her skin, followed by lips trailing slowly along her shoulder.Her eyes flew open.Without thinking, she shoved the weight off her and sat up abruptly.“Hiss—” she sucked in a sharp breath as pain shot through her.“Are you okay?” a deep voice asked from beside her, laced with concern.Lena's head immediately snapped to the side only to be met with Rhys face.“…Huh…” she exhaled shakily.The blanket slipped down her body as she moved. Cool air brushed across her bare skin, sending a chill through her.Her gaze dropped. And froze.Faint red marks trailed across her chest… up to her neck.Her breath caught.
Lena stood frozen in his arms. Her hands hovered in the air.Then, slowly, they came down. One rested on his shoulder, the other slid to the back of his head, her fingers threading lightly into his hair.“I’m here,” she said softly, her voice calm as she stroked his hair.Rhys tightened his hold around her, pulling her closer as if afraid she might slip away.They stayed like that for a while.Lena’s body began to stiffen from the awkward position.“Rhys…” she called gently.He didn’t respond.She pressed her lips together before speaking again. “Let’s go.”She paused.“I’ll take you to my place.”Rhys stirred at her words, his face still buried against her.“Can we go to my place instead?” he mumbled against her stomach.Lena let out a quiet sigh.“Fine. I’ll take you there.”A faint smile tugged at his lips.“Thank you,” he murmured.—By the time they reached his penthouse, Lena felt like her arms would fall off.She keyed in the passcode without hesitation. It wasn’t her first t
Roman kept his promise.Later that afternoon, once she could walk without glaring at him every few steps, he took her out.Not just anywhere.Everywhere.He showed her Italy the way only Roman could — unhurried and intentional. Cliffside restaurants overlooking endless blue. Quiet cobblestone stree
Roman leaned closer, just enough for her to feel his presence. “Wear it for me,” he murmured. “Please.”That was unfair.She had just promised herself she’d stop hiding. Stop shrinking. Stop letting shyness win.Evelyn bit her lip, her resolve trembling—but holding.“There’s a private cove just bel
Evelyn sat on the edge of the wooden dock, her legs dangling just above the glassy surface of the lake. Her camera hung from her neck, resting against her chest, her hat shielding her eyes from the gentle afternoon sun. The conversation with Lena replayed in her mindAfter the abrupt end to their fi
Nathan and Maya were living in constant fear. For days, they'd been jumping at every phone call, and every knock at the door. Evelyn had their photos and videos, and they had no idea when or how she'd use them.Their first plan was to get the hotel security footage from the room where Nathan had ar







