soriented, the silk dress from last night twisted around her legs like a reminder she couldn't ignore. Her mouth tasted faintly of

ost routine. Morning sickness. She clamped a hand over her mouth, bolted for

breathing through her nose, tears stinging her eyes. Not from the

in the quiet suburb where the house still smelled faint

last night, who might still be using her to settle some ancient score tied to her father's downfa

ared at her reflection. Pale. Eyes too wide. But the green dr

k on the be

low, careful. "Breakfast is

. He sounded... nor

she called back, voice

robably. It swallowed her, smelled like cedar and him. She

two mugs. No tie. No jacket. Just dark jeans and a fitted gray T-shirt that showed the lines

are legs, messy hair-and something hot and unrea

e?" he

e said automatically. Ca

ut a tin of loose-leaf chamomile. He filled a kettle, set it

the island, keeping the marbl

rst. "About

she cut in. "It happened. We

es. "Is that

ed. "It's w

ated, tasting th

he tea leaves, let it steep, then slid the mug

ared pretty fast after Elena texted. I didn't push because you

ds around the warm

at arm's length. You walked in, called me a shark in front of half t

the tea. Steam cu

said quietly. "This job-the merger-the pe

tilted her chin up with one finger. The

what you are

: Safety. Answers. A way to protect the tiny life ins

To figure this out with

long beat. Then he no

is coming in to finalize terms. You'll sit in on the meeting-take notes, observe. And tonight we

. "Another

l it." He paused. "Unl

signed the contract

is eyes-disappointment?

n the guest suite. Clothes for today

urse

the stool. "I

he felt his eyes on h

tions headquarters

lway. The receptionist smiled too brightly. Even the el

r-close, but not touching.

ing glass, long ebony table, screens already displaying merger project

der. Sophia." His smile was warm, pater

Sophie's back-just a second, enough

ir seats. The

Numbers. Timelines. Equity stakes. Legal clauses

, Harold turned

k of the cultural integration plan? We don't

. He gave her the tinies

matters. You can't just absorb people and expect loyalty. You have to earn it-transparently.

poken like someone who'

" she sa

ed her, express

at 11:30. Harold sho

ith a wink. "Wear something dazzling.

nder stayed seated, watchi

d that well

d the

round the table until he was beside

up. "Is tha

"It's one of the things

nausea this time. Somethi

sudden, sharp. She swayed,

shot out, steady

"Just... low blood sug

d. Concern. Susp

a smile.

et her go. "We'll get you somethin

d, heart

gh to catch her if she fell again-Sophie f

ld she keep

ore he notic

... would he se

hing worth