Chapter 10

Chapter 10

The ocean breeze hit her face like freedom.

Sienna stepped onto the balcony, escaping the master bedroom where Noah was unpacking their clothes with the same methodical care he brought to everything. After hours in the car, after the tension and careful conversations, she could finally breathe.

The sun was setting, painting the sky orange and pink. The infinity pool sparkled below.

And there he was.

Landon stood by the water, shirtless, a cigarette between his lips. His skin was golden in the dying light. The tattoos on his arms seemed to move in the shadows. He had his phone pressed to his ear, talking to someone in a voice too low for her to hear.

Then he laughed.

Sharp. Cold. Nothing like the warm laughter from that night on the beach.

Their eyes met across the distance.

For a moment, neither of them moved. The cigarette smoke drifted between them like a ghost.

His gaze was ice. Mocking. Like she was some pathetic creature he found amusing.

Then he turned away. As if she