LOGINChapter Fourteen: Stay, Just for a SecondIris Moore’s POVI couldn’t stop thinking about it.“Inconsistencies.”The word followed me down the hallway like a shadow I couldn’t shake off. It sat heavy in my chest, pressing down in a way that made it hard to breathe properly.I didn’t even realise I had slowed down until, a warm hand touched my shoulder. I stopped.“Iris.”His voice was lower now. I turned slightly, but not fully. “I’m fine.”“No, you’re not.”Oh, he noticed. I let out a small breath, more tired than annoyed. “You don’t know that.”“I do.”Something in his tone made my chest tighten again but not in the same way as before. It was softer this time. I finally turned to face him which was a big mistake.He was way closer than I expected. Close enough that I could see the slight tension in his jaw, the way his sea blue eyes were fixed on me.“You’re thinking too much,” he said.I let out a quiet, almost broken laugh. “My mum’s doctor just told me something is wrong and did
Chapter Thirteen: But you didn't moveNathaniel Crowe’s POV“Do you?”The question slipped out before I could stop it. The way her eyes flicked away from mine. The way her fingers tightened slightly around the strap of her bag. Her breathing wasn’t steady anymore, and i knew why.Now that was interesting.A few days ago, she would have snapped back without thinking, but now?She was hesitating.“I…” she started, then stopped.Her lips pressed together like she was trying to find the right words, but none were coming through.“This is part of the contract,” she said finally. “So don’t read into it.”I held her gaze.“Is that what you’re doing?”She didn’t respond because for a second there, she didn’t know either. I stepped closer, not enough to touch her. Her back hit the wall behind her with a soft sound, and her breath caught before she could stop it.“Nathaniel…” she said, her voice lower now. “What are you doing?”I didn’t answer immediately.I was watching her, I was really watch
Chapter Twelve: He's not my boyfriend.Iris Moore’s POVI stood in front of the mirror, tugging lightly at the joggers the maid had brought me the night before. The top she had picked out was simple, soft fabric, but it made me realize how exposed I felt in this place. The sunlight from the window hit my face just right, and for a second, I caught myself thinking about Nathaniel.Shaking my head, I pushed the thought away. Last night had been wild… overwhelming… more than I had expected. But first things first, I needed to see my mother.The soft knock at the door made me jump.“Breakfast, Miss Iris,” the maid said politely. Always there, always waiting. She had the patience of someone who had seen it all and then some.“Thanks,” I said, trying to steady my voice. I smoothed my hair into a messy bun, grabbed my phone from the dresser, and slipped quietly into the hallway.The dining room smelled faintly of freshly brewed coffee and something sweet, and there he was. Nathaniel. Sitting
Chapter Eleven: Answers Cost MoreNathaniel Crowe’s POVThe moment we stepped into the penthouse, I knew this wasn’t going to be quiet. I barely made it two steps in before she stared.“You don’t get to do that.”I stopped.Of course.I turned slowly to face her. Iris stood near the door with her arms crossed, her eyes sharp and locked on me. The softness from earlier was gone. Whatever patience she had left was gone too.“I don't get to do what?” I asked.Her laugh was short and dry.“Don’t you dare do that either and don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about.”I said nothing because I did know and I wasn’t about to explain it.“That man,” she continued, pushing off the door and walking toward me, “clearly knew you. And you just, what? Shut down and dragged me out like I don’t deserve to know what’s going on?”Her voice didn’t rise but the frustration was there.“I told you,” I said calmly, “it’s nothing you need to worry about.”She stopped in front of me in a very close
Chapter Ten: The First ShiftNathaniel Crowe’s POVControl had always been my thing.In every room, every deal, I stayed ahead. I saw things before they happened. Nothing caught me off guard.Tonight should have been the same, but it wasn’t. Something felt… off.I noticed it the second we walked into the hall. It was not an obvious or loud warning. It was just a quiet shift, as the air had changed, and I was the only one who picked up on it. My hand rested on Iris’s back as we moved through the crowd, a silent instruction she had not argued against this time. Whether that was awareness or instinct, I wasn’t sure. The pull I felt was stronger than before; it was more reactive.My jaw tightened. This wasn’t just proximity anymore; it was something else and i didn’t like that.Everything looked normal, way too normal and i didnt trust normal. Not anymore.“Relax,” Iris muttered beside me. “You’re doing that thing again.”“What thing?”“That intense staring thing. It’s weird.”“I’m not st
Chapter Nine: Mrs. CroweIris Moore’s POVThe bed was too soft. That was the first thing I noticed when I woke up.Not uncomfortable, just… wrong.My body didn’t sink into it the way it should have. It didn’t creak, didn’t protest, didn’t remind me I was lying on something real. It just held me there, like I didn’t weigh anything at all.I stared up at the ceiling for a moment, disoriented.Everything was too quiet. Back home, mornings weren’t like this. There were always sounds: cars outside, neighbours arguing, something breaking, something needing attention.But here?There was literally nothing.I pushed myself up slowly, my eyes scanning the room. It was… massive and clean in a way that didn’t look like someone lived in it. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, my feet touching the polished floor.I exhaled, running a hand through my hair.“This isn’t real,” I muttered under my breath.It couldn’t be.Yesterday I was worrying about overdue bills and eviction notices. Now, I w







