All Chapters of His Bride By Contract: Chapter 11

Mia PovThe apartment felt unusually heavy the next morning, as if Xander’s voice from the night before had lingered in the walls. His question…“Where are you coming from?”...still rang in my ears. I had brushed it off with practiced ease, but I knew he wasn’t fully convinced.I stood at the kitchen counter, pouring coffee, when his footsteps entered the room. His presence filled the space in an instant.“You were up early,” he said, pulling out a chair. His tone was calm, controlled, but there was weight behind it.“I couldn’t sleep,” I admitted. “I thought coffee might help.”He studied me. I could feel his eyes tracing over my face, looking for cracks. “Or maybe you didn’t sleep because something’s troubling you.”I forced a light laugh. “Job Xander. It’s my job.”“Is it?” His voice carried a sharp edge, though his expression barely shifted. “You’ve been… distracted lately. You go out more. Come back later. Different.”I set the cup down harder than intended. “You’re reading too mu