Chapter 21

PAIGEThe elevator doors start to close. But I catch them. Push them back open.Haruto is still standing there. Still watching me. Still looking at me with those dark eyes that hold six years of waiting and a future of uncertainty.I step back out."Paige?" His voice is confused. "What—""You're doing it again.""Doing what?""Staring at me like I'm about to disappear." I walk back toward him. Stop inches away. "I can see it, Haruto. The jealousy. The fear. The way your brain is already spinning, wondering if I'm walking out of your life for good."He opens his mouth. Closes it."You're not subtle.""I'm not trying to be." His jaw tightens. "I just—""You just what?"He looks away. At the city. At the glass. Anywhere but me."I just watched you leave. And part of me wondered if you were really coming back."I reach up. Touch his face. Turn it toward me."Haruto. Look at me."He looks."I haven't left you." I say it slow. Clear. So he can't miss it. "I'm going to work. That's all. I ha

CHAPTER 22

PAIGE"Marcus, the city is watching us.""Let them watch."I laugh as his hands find my waist again. The fairy lights strung between planters flicker above us. Candles burn low on the small table where we just finished dinner. Empty wine glasses catch the moonlight. The city sprawls beneath us, thousands of windows glowing like earthbound stars."You're impossible," I say."You love it." He spins me around. Pulls me against his chest. His chin rests on my shoulder. "Look at this view."I look. Really look. The sky is dark purple, almost black, with real stars peeking through the clouds. Traffic hums somewhere far below. A plane blinks across the horizon. Somewhere out there, Haruto is in his glass tower. Julian is in his quiet apartment. And I'm here. With Marcus. Under the stars."It's beautiful," I admit."Not as beautiful as you.""Marcus.""What? I'm not allowed to tell the truth?" He turns me to face him. His blue eyes are soft in the low light. His sandy brown hair falls across

chapter 23

MARCUSThank you for choosing me. Even when you didn't have to.The words hang in the dark long after she falls asleep.I say them again. Quiet. Just to myself. Just to hear what they sound like out loud."Thank you for choosing me."She doesn't stir. Her breathing is slow. Even. Peaceful. Her hand is curled against my chest, right over my heart. Like she's holding it while she sleeps.I don't move. Don't want to wake her. Don't want to break this moment.The city glows through the windows. The stars have shifted. The night is half gone. And I'm lying here with Paige Chen in my arms, wondering how I got so lucky.My phone buzzes on the nightstand.I reach for it carefully. One-handed. Trying not to disturb her.Haruto: She's with you tonight.Not a question. A statement.Me: Yes.Haruto: Is she okay?I look down at her. Her lips are slightly parted. Her dark hair is spread across my arm. She looks younger when she sleeps. Softer. Like the weight of everything disappears.Me: She's sle

Chapter 24

JULIANShe loves me. All the way. Always has.I read Marcus's message for the third time. Then a fourth. Then a fifth.He sent it an hour ago. A screenshot of something Paige said to him. Something private. Something I wasn't meant to see.But Marcus wants me to know. Wants all of us to know. That she loves us. All the way. Always has.I set my phone down. Stare out the window.The city is awake now. Morning light spills between buildings. Traffic hums. People rush to work. Normal people living normal lives.I haven't slept.Not because I was waiting for her. Not because I was jealous. Just... because.Because sleep doesn't come easy when your mind won't quiet.She loves me.She said it. In my apartment. After dinner. After everything.But does she? Really? Or does she love the idea of me? The mystery. The quiet. The challenge.I don't know.That's the problem. I don't know.---My phone buzzes.Dante: You awake?Me: Always.Dante: Thinking about her?Me: Always.Dante: You need to sl

CHAPTER 25

ThreePAIGE"She loves us. All of us. I believe her now."I read Julian's message for the fifth time. Then a sixth. Then a seventh.He sent it to Marcus and Haruto. But Marcus forwarded it to me. Said I should know. Said Julian doesn't say things like that often.I stare at the words. My chest feels full. Too full.He believes me.After everything. After all the doubt and jealousy and late-night conversations. He finally believes me.My phone buzzes.Marcus: Tonight. My place. All of us. No more waiting.I read it three times.Me: All of us?Marcus: All of us. You. Me. Haruto. Julian. Together. For the first time.My heart stops. Starts again. Faster.Me: Are you sure?Marcus: I've never been more sure of anything.Me: And the others?Marcus: Haruto agreed. Julian agreed. Now we need you.I stare at the screen. My hands are shaking.Me: Okay.Marcus: Okay?Me: Okay. Tonight. Your place. What time?Marcus: 8 PM. Come hungry. Come ready. Come however you are.I set the phone down. Stare

Chapter 26

The Morning AfterPAIGEI wake up slowly.Sunlight cuts through the curtains. Warm. Golden. Too bright.I blink. Stretch. Feel arms around me. Three pairs of arms.Haruto is on my left. His hand is on my stomach. His breathing is deep. Peaceful.Marcus is on my right. His face is buried in my hair. His arm is wrapped around my waist.Julian is at my feet. His head is on my thigh. His grey eyes are already open.Watching me."You're awake," he says. Quiet. So he doesn't wake the others."I'm awake.""How do you feel?"I think about it. My body is sore. In a good way. My heart is full. In a way I don't have words for."Happy," I say. "Really happy."He almost smiles. "Good."Haruto stirs beside me. His hand tightens on my stomach. His eyes flutter open."Paige.""Morning.""You stayed.""I stayed."He pulls me closer. Kisses my shoulder. "I didn't think you would.""Why not?""Because I'm not used to people staying."I turn in his arms. Face him. "Get used to it."Marcus mumbles someth