LOGINFive months later, the penthouse was quiet and warm. Afternoon light streamed through the windows as Andrea moved slowly around the nursery, adjusting the crib blanket for the hundredth time. Her due date was only two weeks away, and she couldn't stop nesting.Mindy sat on the floor surrounded by tiny clothes, folding onesies and putting them into drawers."These are so small," Mindy said, holding up a newborn-sized outfit. "Like, how is an actual human going to fit in this?""I know right?" Andrea laughed, watching her best friend marvel at baby clothes like she'd never seen them before. "It's wild."Miss Carrie appeared in the doorway with a tray of tea and cookies. She'd been away these last few months taking care of her youngest son and eldest daughter who just got into college."How are you feeling today, dear?" Miss Carrie asked, setting the tray down carefully."Tired," Andrea admitted. "But good. Excited. Terrified.""That's normal," Miss Carrie said, settling into a chair wit
The gondola ride ended as twilight settled over the city. Henry helped Andrea step onto the dock, his hand lingering on her waist a second longer than necessary. She looked up at him, still a little breathless from the evening, and saw the same quiet wonder mirrored in his eyes.They started walking slowly, fingers intertwined. Andrea leaned her head against his arm, feeling the steady rhythm of his steps beside her. Every now and then, Henry would glance down at her, a small, private smile tugging at the corner of his mouth — the kind of smile he only seemed to wear when no one else was watching.Andrea leaned her head against Henry’s arm, savoring the solid warmth of him. “I don’t want this day to end,” she murmured.Henry glanced down at her, a gentle smile curving his lips. “It doesn’t have to. Not yet.”They wandered without any real destination, turning down narrow streets that opened into small, unexpected squares. At one point, they found a small gelato shop still open, its li
The moment they stepped off the water taxi, Venice wrapped itself around Andrea like a dream she was afraid to wake from.Sunlight danced across the canal, turning the water into liquid gold. Ancient buildings leaned toward one another as if sharing secrets, their reflections trembling gently on the surface. The air carried the sharp tang of saltwater mixed with sun-warmed stone, old wood, and something faintly sweet–perhaps flowers spilling from a windowsill somewhere above them. Narrow bridges arched gracefully overhead, and the distant sound of footsteps and soft Italian conversation drifted through the maze of alleys.Andrea stood frozen on the dock, one hand still gripping Henry’s. Her breath caught.“Oh my God,” she whispered.Henry wasn’t looking at the city. He was watching her; the way her eyes widened, the way her lips parted in quiet awe. A small, tender smile played at the corner of his mouth.“You like it?” he asked, voice low.“Like it?” Andrea turned to him, eyes shinin
The penthouse was quiet as Henry and Andrea packed for Italy. Their suitcases lay open on the bed, clothes being carefully folded and placed inside. Andrea moved slower than usual, her exhaustion from the wedding day catching up with her.Henry was in the closet, pulling out clothes for the trip, when they heard the intercom buzzer."Mr. Moore, your driver is here," the doorman said. "He says there's a package that arrived for you before you leave."Henry and Andrea exchanged a glance."A package? We've already received all the wedding gifts," Andrea said, confused."I don't know, sir," the doorman said. "But he says it's a package you’d like.""Send him up," Henry said.A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Henry opened it to find their driver holding a large, beautifully wrapped box."This arrived about an hour ago," the driver said, handing it over. "The concierge said it was important you have it before you left for the airport."Henry took the box, frowning. "Do you
By 10 PM, the reception was in full swing but the energy had shifted into something more intimate and relaxed. The dancing had slowed, people were mingling more, conversations were deeper. That's when the photographer called everyone together for family photos. Richard gathered the family—Eleanor, Sofia, Grandma Grace, Slyvia, Rowan, Mindy, Marcus, Henry, and Andrea. They arranged themselves carefully, Henry with his arm around Andrea, Sofia beside him, Eleanor next to Richard. Slyvia, Mindy, Rowan and Marcus, positioned themselves on each sides too. Grandma Grace stood in the center, the matriarch of it all. "One more," the photographer said. "All together. Big smiles." They smiled, and the camera clicked. It was a beautiful moment captured this family–fractured and healing, coming together for love. After the photos, Father Michael stood and tapped his glass to get everyone’s attention. The room quieted. "So, I've known Henry since he was a boy," Father Michael began, his voic
Henry and Andrea were still dancing under the soft lights when Marcus spotted Mindy across the room. She had her clipboard in hand, eyes scanning the ballroom as she spoke quietly with one of the servers, making sure every detail was perfect.He excused himself from his conversation and walked over to her.“Hey, girlfriend,” he said warmly, gently touching her elbow.Mindy turned, and her whole face brightened the moment she saw him. “Marcus, hi. I was just…”“You look absolutely beautiful tonight,” he said, his voice low and sincere as his eyes swept over her.Mindy blushed immediately, that familiar giddy smile spreading across her face. Even though they had been together for a while now, his compliments still made her heart flutter like it was the first time.“Thank you, baby,” she said softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “But I really need to check on the…”“I’ve missed you,” Marcus interrupted gently. “I’ve barely seen you or had any real time with you all day. You’v
Henry’s ash Toyota land Cruiser screeched to a stop in front of the modest brick building on 14th Street, right outside Apartment 21. The engine was still rumbling when Mindy burst through the front door, coat half-on, hair flying behind her. She didn’t wait for him to get out. She yanked the passe
The jazz band switched to a slower, softer melody, and the rooftop felt a little less like a battlefield. Marcus had wandered off with Henry for ten minutes to fix the lighting cue, leaving Andrea and Mindy alone at the high-top table again. Mindy was still grinning, scrolling through her phone lik
She rode the elevator up to the penthouse alone, thighs still clenched from the conference room. Every step in the lobby had been torture; the black dress that had felt like armor this morning now rubbed against her swollen clit like punishment. She could still feel Henry’s fingers—thick, relentles
Her first official day as Henry Moore's personal assistant started at exactly 8:00 AM the next day.She arrived ten minutes early, coffee in hand and her game face on. Lindsay's desk was hers now, it was right outside Henry's office, quite pristine but empty except for a computer, phone, and a sing







