THE DOOR BETWEEN US

Michael sank into his chair, running both hands through his hair. His mind raced. Investors expected reports. The board expected results..

Rivalries companies were circling, waiting for any weakness.

He couldn't change the past. Couldn't erase the contract.But he could act. Protect the company. Protect the family reputation. Protect Jessica... from the consequences of everything he had done , even if it meant facing every threat, every danger, every secret alone.

Because as much as he tried to act detached, to be cold and distant, the truth was that she mattered more than any contract.

More than any business deal. More than any threat looming over him.

And if he had to burn the world down to keep her safe... he would.Jessica pushed open the front door, her keys clattering into the dish by the entrance.

The house was quiet. She kicked off her heels, dragging her tired feet across the polished floor, and sank into the couch.

Her chest felt heavy , the image of Michael and that woman by the car still sitting at the back of her mind like something she couldn't shake.

A soft creak from the stairs made her freeze. Michael appeared in the doorway, suit slightly rumpled, tie loosened. He paused when he saw her, his eyes studying her too closely.

"Jess."Her heart raced in a way she didn't want to understand.

He stepped closer and the air between them shifted.His voice was low, careful , but there was something else in it.She looked down, tugging at her sleeves.

"I'm fine," she whispered.But her voice betrayed her.

Michael stepped closer ,just enough to make the air feel tight between them.

She caught the faint scent of his cologne, crisp and clean, and it made her stomach twist.

Her mind told her to look away, to move, to create distance — but she didn't.

"You're not," he said softly, his hand hovering near her arm before pulling back.

Something in his eyes made her chest tighten. It was desire, worry, and something she wasn't ready to face.

"I just had a long day," she murmured, lifting her gaze briefly to meet his.He nodded slowly, like he understood — even without her saying more.

Then he moved past her, heading toward the kitchen, but not without glancing back once.Jessica's fingers dug into the couch.

The silence between them felt heavy, full of things neither of them said.She knew one thing for certain — whatever this was, it wasn't simple.

And as she watched him move through the house with that quiet confidence, she felt something shift inside her.

It wasn't just sadness anymore. It was something else. Something she didn't want to name.

She stood up slowly and walked to her room.The door clicked shut behind her.

JESSICA stayed there, her back pressed against it. She didn't move at first.It felt like if she did, something inside her might fall apart.

Her chest tightened. She closed her eyes.And of course... it came back.

Michael standing beside the car with that woman. His hand holding hers — so easily, like it belonged there.

JESSICA let out a small breath, almost tired of her own thoughts.

"Why am I even thinking about it..." she murmured.

She pressed her fingers lightly against her temples.

But her mind didn't listen. Because the worst part wasn't just what she saw , it was how it made her feel.

Her chest tightened painfully.She pushed herself away from the door and walked slowly to the bed, sitting at the edge.

Her hands rested in her lap, fingers twisting together without her noticing.

"It's just a contract," she said quietly.

But the words didn't feel right anymore.

Because if it didn't matter... why did it hurt like this?

She stared at the floor, blinking. Her eyes burned.

She didn't want to cry. Not over this.But one tear slipped out anyway. She wiped it quickly, almost annoyed.

Then another. Silent. No sobbing. Just quiet hurt.

OUTSIDE THE DOOR

MICHAEL stood there for a while after she left. Something about her tone , The way she avoided him  stayed with him.

He wasn't used to thinking this much about someone.

But he was thinking about her too much.

He walked closer to her door without realizing it. Stopped right in front of it.

His hand lifted slightly... then paused.

What was he even doing?

She said she was tired. Maybe he should just leave it. But something didn't feel right.

His jaw tightened. He stared at the door for a second, eyes closing briefly.

He didn't knock. Didn't say anything either. Just stood there.

INSIDE

JESSICA heard something  very faint. She froze. Her heart slipped a little. Was he... outside?

She didn't move. Didn't open the door.

Just sat there, holding her breath, like if she stayed still enough the moment wouldn't break.

A door between them. So close... but neither of them choosing to cross it.

And somehow, that silence said more than words ever could.

MORNING

JESSICA barely slept. Every time she closed her eyes she saw it again.

She turned in bed, pulling the sheets tighter around herself. Sleep didn't come back.

By morning her eyes burned and her head ached. She got up and got ready for work  because what else was she supposed to do?

She told herself to act normal while brushing her hair. That it didn't matter.

Even when it clearly did.She stepped into the hallway and froze.

Michael was in the sitting room, standing like nothing had happened.

Like yesterday meant nothing.

Her chest tightened instantly.Their eyes met and she hated it , the way he looked at her. Calm and steady. Like he hadn't broken something inside her without even knowing.

"Good morning," he said.Like everything was fine.

"Morning." Her voice didn't sound like hers.

She turned quickly, moved past him, opened the cabinet, grabbed a cup  anything to keep her hands busy.

Because if she stood still she might ask him.

Who is she?

THE question burned at the back of her throat.

But she held it in. Of course she did. What right did she even have to ask?

"Did you sleep well?" he asked.Jessica almost laughed.

Sleep?

After what she saw?"Yeah," she said anyway.

She could feel his eyes on her. Still watching. Steady.

Why was he looking at her like that?

Why now?

Her grip on the cup tightened. Say something. Ask him about her.

But fear stopped her  what if the answer hurt more?

She turned and their eyes met again. Harder to ignore.

And suddenly she couldn't breathe properly, because for one second he didn't look distant.

He looked like he cared. And that confused her more than anything.

Her heart beat faster, almost angry at herself for reacting like this.

"Are you working today?" he asked.

"Yeah."

She grabbed her bag and moved toward the door.

Just leave, she told herself quietly. Before she said something she couldn't take back.

She reached for her bag on the counter at the same moment he reached for his keys.

Their hands touched.Just barely.Just for a second.

Neither of them moved.The kitchen felt smaller suddenly.

THE air between them shifted in a way Jessica didn't have words for.

She could feel the warmth of his hand against hers still, like he hadn't noticed, or like he had noticed too much.

Her heart slammed once. Hard.Then he pulled back. Slowly. Without a word.

JESSICA picked up her bag, eyes down, and walked straight to the door.

She didn't look back.

She couldn't.Because if she did — she wasn't sure what her face would give away.