Lahat ng Kabanata ng Intricacies of the heart: Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 30

It wasn’t the first morning I would be waking up in Crest’s apartment. But it was the first morning I woke up as part of it. The difference was subtle, quiet but profound. My clothes now hung next to his in the closet, my slippers sat by the bed, right next to his. Crest was still asleep beside me, one arm slung across my waist, breathing steady, hair slightly tousled against the pillow.I eased out of bed carefully, brushing my fingers over his arm as I slipped free. He stirred, murmured something incoherent, then settled again. The floor was cool under my feet as I padded into the kitchen. It looked a little more ours now, my cookbooks stacked neatly beside his architecture magazines, the coffee machine he always used sitting next to the small jar of tea I’d brought from home.I tied my robe tighter and started breakfast. I didn’t have much time before work, but I wanted to do something special for Crest. Cooking for him is one of my love languages. I love seeing him enjoy the meal

Upon arriving at home, my body felt like it had been wrung out and left to dry. The restaurant had been busy all day, and though everything had gone smoothly, I was running on fumes. Still, as soon as I stepped into the apartment, the exhaustion loosened its grip a little. The lights were dim, the kind of warmth that softened everything it touched. I kicked off my shoes by the door, dropped my bag on the console, and called out softly,“Crest?” “In here.” His voice came from the kitchen . Deep, calm, steady like always. I followed the sound and found him leaning casually against the counter, sleeves rolled up, his tie undone, looking entirely too composed for someone who had probably worked a ten-hour day himself. A faint smile curved his lips when he saw me. “Hey,” he said, crossing the space between us. “Rough day?” “Not rough,” I sighed, leaning briefly into his chest when he reached for me. “Just long.”“I figured,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “I already

Crest wasn’t supposed to be working today, but he got an urgent call from work. After he left, the apartment felt too quiet. The kind of quiet that lets your thoughts echo back at you. I sat at the breakfast bar with my coffee, staring at the half-eaten toast on my plate. The conversation from that morning replayed in loops. His voice, the tension in it, the name Malory threading through every thought like a snag in fabric. I wasn’t upset or anything like that. There was something about hearing her name said like that, heavy and familiar, that unsettled me. It reminded me that before me, there was a life, kids, a family, shared memories. That I was entering a story already half-written. I hadn’t planned on going to the restaurant today at all. Monica said her and the staff could handle it. But I needed to keep my mind occupied so I texted Crest, telling him I was going to work. Freshened up and drove down.When I arrived, I’d forced myself into work mode. The restaurant wasn’t very b

Her expression didn’t change much when she saw us. Maybe the smallest lift of her eyebrows. Acknowledgement, not welcome. Crest walked ahead, and I followed half a step behind, feeling like I’d walked into an interview I hadn’t been given the questions for.“Malory.” Crest gave her a curt nod, his voice neutral.Her tone was light but her eyes flicked between us with quick, surgical assessment before settling on me. “You must be Sasha.”I smiled and extended my hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”Her fingers were cool and smooth, her handshake soft but brief. “Hopefully I can say the same after this meeting.” I stiffened. Crest placed a reassuring hand on my lower back and pulled a sit for me.We sat. The host poured water, left menus, and disappeared with the silent efficiency of someone trained to vanish during uncomfortable moments. Crest sat beside me, but Malory was across from both of us. Perfectly framed by the window, sunlight threading through her hair, turning her gold watch in

I thought the excitement of owning a new car would die down the next day. I don’t think I had stopped smiling since the moment Crest handed me the keys. Even now, as I parked outside the restaurant, the smile remained. I tried, really. I even gave myself a little pep talk in the car, told myself to play it cool, to walk in like a normal human being who didn’t just get surprised with a luxury SUV that smelled like new money and dreams.It didn’t work. When I stepped into my office, Monica was already there, sorting through invoices. She glanced up briefly before doing a double take.“Why do you look like you just got away with something illegal?” I dropped my purse on the desk, trying to act normal. “What? I can’t be happy on a Thursday morning?”Cherry appeared right then, holding her tablet and a half-eaten croissant. “Please tell me this is about a man.” She said without missing a beat. I turned towards her surprised. “What are you doing here this early?”She lifted a brow. “I ca