LOGINLucian's POV Kristen finally left the office after Petra had gone home, muttering under her breath like she always did whenever that girl was around. “I swear, she irritates me sometimes,” Kristen huffed, leaning back against her chair. Her fingers tapped the edge of her tablet like it had personally offended her. I chuckled lightly. “She’s not that bad.” Kristen shot me a look, one eyebrow raised. “Not that bad? Lucian, she’s… she’s everywhere. She smiles too much. Talks too much. Laughs too loud. And that little giggle when you touch her hand—I swear it’s designed to make me mad.” I shook my head, leaning back in my chair. “You’re imagining half of it. Petra’s fine. She’s harmless.” Kristen rolled her eyes dramatically. “Harmless? The girl is a weapon, Lucian. She wields that innocence like a dagger. You’re going to fall for it one day and won’t even notice.” I laughed, but my mind wandered for a second. Petra was sweet, yes, but I had a mission. And Kristen… well, she knew
Lucian's POV I held Petra’s hand as we stepped out of the café, the early afternoon sunlight hitting her hair just right, making it glow like spun chocolate. She smiled up at me, and without missing a beat, planted a soft kiss on my cheek. I smiled back, letting it linger just long enough to make the cameras outside happy. Perfect. They were already snapping away like vultures.Kristen hovered nearby, clipboard in hand, eyes darting between me and Petra with a sharpness that could cut glass. She didn’t say anything, but the look was enough. She knew exactly what I was doing. And she was good at her job—better than anyone else I could rely on right now. Better than Lena, even.Petra laughed lightly at something I said, tilting her head to meet my gaze. My mind, though, was elsewhere. I could feel my chest tighten slightly, a tug I tried to push down. Lena. The way she had been avoiding everyone, the way she looked at me when she thought no one was watching. The way her stomach now car
Lena's POV The door slammed so hard the picture frame near the hallway rattled. I didn’t even have to look to know Jane was back. “I swear if I find out it’s true, I will lose my mind,” she shouted before even taking off her shoes. I stayed on the couch, wiping my face quickly and straightening up. I had been crying just minutes ago, but I forced my expression into something neutral. Jane stormed into the living room, her hair slightly disheveled, her mascara smudged at the corners. She looked furious. “What happened?” I asked calmly. She threw her bag onto the chair. “Marcus happened.” I blinked. “What did he do?” She let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “That’s the problem. I don’t know what he did. I just know something is off.” She started pacing. “He’s been distant. Guarding his phone. Stepping out to take calls. And today? Today I saw a message pop up on his screen.” My stomach tightened. “What message?” Jane crossed her arms. “It just said, ‘Can’t wait to see you aga
Lena's POV Xander finally left just before evening settled in. He paused at the door, his hand resting against the frame as if he wanted to say something more. The apartment felt smaller with him standing there, heavy with unfinished words. “I’ll come check on you regularly,” he said. “Every day if I have to.” I managed a small smile. “You don’t have to.” “I want to.” And that was the problem. As much as I appreciated the concern, I was exhausted by the weight of everyone wanting to protect me. “Maybe you shouldn’t come,” I said gently. His brows pulled together immediately. “What?” “Not until the rumors die down.” His face scrunched up in confusion. “Why would I stop coming?” I sighed, stepping closer so my voice wouldn’t sound harsh. “So they don’t create another scandal, Alexander. You’ve seen how they twist everything. If they see you here often, they’ll start another story.” “I don’t care if they start one,” he replied firmly. “I’m not leaving you alone because of g
Lena's POV I was lying on my back staring at the ceiling again.It had become a habit lately. Watching the faint cracks in the paint. Following the slow spin of the fan above me. Counting the seconds between my breaths as if that alone could steady my thoughts.It was something I did to pass time. Something I did to quiet the noise in my head.And there had been too much noise lately.Jane wasn’t around. Of course. She had gone out earlier, probably trying to give me space without making it obvious. She was good like that. She understood when I needed silence.Florida.Her words from earlier replayed in my mind.“Come back with me for a while, Lena. Just breathe. Just rest.”The idea sounded tempting. Beaches. Sun. No board meetings. No scandal. No Tara Valentino staring at me like I was a stain that needed to be scrubbed out.Just quiet.Just space to think.I turned onto my side, hugging a pillow close to my chest.Maybe I should go.Maybe leaving was the smartest thing I could do.
Lucian's POV Kristen stayed behind after everyone left. The office had grown quiet, the heavy silence pressing against the walls like a living thing. The air still carried the heat of the argument with Tara. My hands were clenched at my sides, my chest still rising and falling with restrained anger. I heard her heels approach slowly. “Lucian,” Kristen called softly. I did not turn. I kept staring at the city lights beyond the glass window, my reflection staring back at me like a stranger. “I understand everything you’re going through,” she said gently. Her voice was calm, soothing, almost comforting. I felt her hands rest lightly on my arm, warm and steady. The touch surprised me. Normally, I would have pulled away immediately. But this time, I didn’t. I looked at her. Her eyes were soft, understanding, patient. There was no accusation in them, no anger, no judgment. Just concern. “You don’t have to carry everything alone,” she continued quietly. “You’ve been under pressu







