LOGINLena 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
Lena excused herself to pick up the call.At first, her expression was neutral, then it shifted.Her brows drew together. She pressed her lips tightly.By the time she ended the call, her face had gone pale.Theon watched from a distance.His eyes narrowed slightly.Something about the way she stood there—tense and shaken, set something off in him.His jaw clenched. The tightness in his chest grew worse.He quickly looked away, and walked further down the beach.—A few minutes later, footsteps rushed across the sand.“Theon—”He stopped.Lena reached him, slightly out of breath. Her fingers curled into her shirt as she tried to steady herself.“Can we go back?” she asked quickly. “Today. Like right now.”Theon turned slowly. His gaze sharpened.“Why?”“It’s Rhys.”Her voice wavered.“Something happened. He won’t tell me what it is over the phone.”She swallowed.“I—”“No.”The word cut her off coldly.Lena froze.Theon’s hand tightened inside his pocket.“Please,” she said, stepping
Lena's heart slammed hard against her ribs. Theon didn't move. He didn’t look away either. He just stood there, his gaze locked on her face as if he was waiting for something—waiting for her to react, or pull away. Lena's thoughts scattered. For a moment, she couldn’t breathe properly, or even think. Theon leaned in slowly. His lips brushed the corner of her mouth. Not quite a kiss. But close enough to steal her breath. Lena trembled. She felt his warm breath against her skin. "Perfect," Phillip whispered. Click. The camera captured it. — The sun was setting by the time they reached the beach. Lena sat on the sand, watching the sky shift from orange to pink, and then to gold. The waves lapped at the shore, slow and steady. Theon sat beside her. "It's been a long time," she said quietly, "since I went out like this… and felt alive." Theon turned his head to look at her. She met his gaze. Something in his eyes had changed. The usual teasing edge was
Caspian pushed himself off the workbench and walked toward the door."The coffee is just caffeine," he said over his shoulder. "The advice is the real gift."The door closed behind him.Theon sat in the silence, his father's words echoing in his ears."You don't have to live by morals all the time.""If another person is hesitating… beat them to it."He looked at the clock.Five-thirty in the morning.His jaw tightened.‘Is that really the problem?’‘What do I actually feel for her?’The thought sat heavy in his chest.He exhaled and stood, heading back to his room.His hand paused on the door. Then he pushed it open.A lump was under the blanket. Covered from head to toe.His brows drew together.‘Is she trying to suffocate herself?’He walked over and pulled the blanket down.Lena scrunched her face. “What are you doing?”Theon didn’t answer. He just looked at her.Her hair was messy, her eyes half-open, lips slightly parted from sleep.“What’s wrong with you?” she muttered, grabbin
Dinner felt endless.Jessica chatted on, unaware of the tension sitting between the two of them. Her voice carried warmth, easy and bright, filling the room.Lena nodded when needed, smiled when expected, and answered when spoken to.But her mind stayed elsewhere.The lack of guest room.Every now and then, she felt Theon's gaze on her.She turned once.Theon was already looking at her. His gaze unreadable.Her heart skipped.She looked away at once.—By the time dinner ended, Lena felt mentally drained.Theon led her back without a word.They walked the long hallway again.This time, she kept her eyes forward.He pushed the door open and stepped aside.“After you.”She hesitated. Then walked in.Her eyes went straight to the bed.Only one.Her throat tightened.“I’ll take the couch.”She turned.Theon was already pulling out a folded blanket from the closet.“For the record,” he added, not looking at her, “I didn’t know about the guest room arrangement.”She frowned.“You didn’t?”“
Theon went very still.His gaze locked on the tears gathering in her eyes. His hand was still on her waist. He didn't let go. He couldn't. He knew—if he did, she would walk out.And something in him refused to allow that."Lena.""Don't." She shook her head. "Don't say my name like that."She tried to pull away. His grip held her firm."Let me go.""No."Her eyes flashed. "I said let me go."She shoved him back. Hard."Do not touch me again."Her chest rose and fell sharply. Her lips trembled—still stinging from where he'd bitten her."You said this was a favor." Her voice shook. "You didn't say I had to sell myself for it.""Lena—""I don't want to hear anything from you." Her fists tightened. "You don't get to touch me or kiss me without my permission."She took a deep breath."Stay away from me."She turned to walk away."...I'm sorry."The words came out low. Lena paused. She turned back. He was staring at her, his eyes narrowed, and unreadable."I'm not sorry I kissed you
Evelyn looked at him conflicted, her heart thumping loudly in her chest."But the board—your elder brother is back—the executives—" She shook her head, backing away. "No. No, Roman, this is insane. I can't just walk into Sinclair Industries and take over.""Why can't you?""Roman!" Her voice rose.
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







