CHAPTER EIGHT - FRACTURE

The office felt different the next morning.

The air felt different, like the walls had heard too much—like the silence was talking back.

Clarissa didn’t look at Aiden when she passed him a revised strategy brief.

Carter muttered something under his breath to a designer near the elevators, and both of them laughed. Quietly. Not too obvious. But Aiden felt it.

Julian didn’t show up until almost noon.

He walked out of the elevator like his usual self. On his black suit; no hint of what had happened between them.

No trace of the man who once looked at Aiden like he was the only thing that mattered in that room.

He then walked past without a glance.

Aiden stared after him, stomach feeling heavy.

> Zane knew.

Zane had seen them. Not kissing. Not touching. But it didn’t matter.

He’d seen enough.

And now… so had everyone else.

—

At 1:00 p.m., Aiden was called to the 41st floor.

He didn’t need to ask what it meant.

That floor belonged to the executive board.

He rode the elevator up in silence, adjusting his jacket. Bracing himself.

He was met by the Director of HR and Julian.

Julian didn’t speak. Didn’t even look directly at him.

The HR director offered a polite smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Just a quick internal compliance conversation, Mr. Shaw.”

Aiden sat down slowly. “Right.”

“Some concerns have been raised about the nature of your relationship with Mr. Vince.”

Aiden blinked. “Concerns?”

Julian’s face didn’t flicker.

“There’s nothing romantic happening,” Aiden said flatly. “If that’s what this is about.”

The director folded her hands. “We’ve been made aware of… tension. Emotional entanglement. And perceived preferential treatment.”

“I earned everything I’ve gotten here.”

Julian still didn’t look at him.

“We’re not accusing you,” she said. “This is informal. A matter of optics. Of clarity.”

Aiden’s voice was tight. “Did you request this, Julian?”

Julian’s answer was cold and immediate.

“Yes.”

Something cracked.

Right down Aiden’s chest.

The meeting ended. Paperwork filed. Promises made to ‘monitor the situation’ moving forward.

Julian left first.

Aiden sat in the chair for five full minutes after he was gone.

Heart numb.

Breath shallow.

—

Back on the main floor, Aiden’s screen was full of notifications. He ignored them.

He couldn’t look at Clarissa. Or Carter. Or anyone.

He just packed his bag and walked toward the elevator.

The doors opened.

Julian was already inside.

Aiden stepped in.

They stood side by side, completely silent as the elevator descended.

At floor 28, Julian spoke—without turning.

“You shouldn’t have followed me into that conference room.”

Aiden let out a hollow laugh. “You’re blaming me now?”

“I’m protecting the both of us.”

“No, you’re protecting your name. Your legacy. Your image. I was just something in the way.”

Julian looked mad.

The elevator dinged open. Aiden didn’t move.

He turned slowly toward Julian, voice low and razor-edged.

“You don’t get to touch someone like that. Look at them like that. Then throw them to the wolves the second someone notices.”

Julian didn’t respond.

Not even a flinch.

Aiden shook his head.

“You’re not cold. You’re just scared.”

He stepped out of the elevator.

Left Julian standing alone as the doors slid shut.

—

That night, Aiden didn’t sleep.

He didn’t eat.

He sat in his apartment surrounded by sketches and mockups and brand decks, none of which mattered anymore.

Everything felt like noise.

His phone buzzed around midnight.

Julian.

One message.

> “We need to talk. Conference Room 14. Now.”

Aiden stared at the screen for a long time before grabbing his keys.

—

When he arrived, the office was dark and silent, except for a light coming from Julian's conference room.

He walked in.

Julian was there, looking a bit disorganized... His sleeves were rolled up and his hair looked messy.

He didn’t speak right away.

Neither did Aiden.

Finally, Julian broke the silence.

“I didn’t do it to protect my name.”

Aiden crossed his arms. “Then why?”

Julian exhaled. “Because if this gets out, you’re the one they’ll destroy. Not me.”

Aiden blinked. “What?”

“I’m already in power, Aiden. I’m the heir. The name. They won’t touch me.” He stepped closer. “But you? You’re just starting. You don’t have shields yet.”

“You think I need saving?”

“I think I care about you more than I should,” Julian said. “And that terrifies me.”

Aiden’s breath caught.

Julian’s hand twitched at his side.

Then, he slowly reached out, as if afraid of what might happen.

His hand wrapped around Aiden's wrist.

The touch was soft.

Steady.

“I didn’t lie in that room,” Julian said quietly. “But I didn’t tell the truth either.”

Aiden swallowed. “Which part was the lie?”

“That I don’t think about you. That I could walk away.”

Julian’s voice cracked.

“I can’t.”

The air between them snapped tight again. Just like the elevator. Just like the archives.

Only this time—there was no one watching.

Aiden stepped closer.

But before he could speak, the door creaked.

They both turned.

Clarissa stood in the doorway.

Still.

Silent.

Eyes wide.

“I—I didn’t know this room was occupied,” she said softly.

Julian stepped back instantly. “It’s fine. We’re done.”

Clarissa nodded once. Then, left.

The door closed again.

But the damage was done.

Aiden turned to Julian, voice hard. “Still think you can protect this?”

Julian didn’t answer.

Because this time, he couldn’t.