ond anything she'd ever imagined for her family. The letters with her children's school placements were waiting at the doorstep, and even the lingering medical bil

a tailored suit, he looked every bit the powerful businessman she knew him to be. But there was something else about him – something that stirred a quiet excitement

d he offered a small smile. "Ms. Bennett," he greeted, his

d to admit. "I just wanted to thank you – for everything. The house, the schools, the suppo

don't need to repay me. I just want you and your kid

uite read. He glanced at the screen, hesitating for a split second before answering and placin

! I missed

er lap, her face growing warm. Stallion quickly hung up, his expression momentarily flickering with discomfort. Almost immediately, the phone buzzed again.

eeping her eyes down. "You can

. "It can wait." He shifted his attention back to her, his

ank you again, so much. You've given me and my

as he looked at her. "There's no need to thank

er red sleeveless dress, the way she'd pinned her hair up, leaving her neck bare. It wasn't anything extravagant, just

e fixed on h

earned about her past, her sufferings, all he wanted to do was just help her. And now, each time he saw her, he felt something far more complicated, something pro

e measured, "do enjoy your new place. Extend my rega

him one last time, sensing the unspoken words between them. "Well, I'll be going then.

no commitments and no complications. His parents often teased him, claiming he'd never settle down, and until recently, he'd thought they were right. But Ava was diff

onest, the thought of pursuing Ava terrified him. She wasn't someone he could play games with; she was a mother, a woman who had survived hardships he couldn't even

anging stories about their lives. He'd ask about her children, and she'd ask about his latest project, their conversations comfortable yet charged with an u

st a quiet meal at a small restaurant around the corner. She hesitated at fir

t the two of them, and an unspoken awareness that made her heart race. They talked about simple things – music, favorite movie

lp me?" Ava asked quietly

w," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just...I wanted to. I imagined how muc

hurt because she had been

et on my laps,

ay," Ava la

really good at giving foot

ps from underneath the table. And as

is feels

he stroked her? Her voice was too melo

on that ran deeper, rooted in mutual respect and a growing sense of trust. She felt herself softening, her fears and reser

slow, reluctant to end the evening. They lingered at

softly, looking up at him

ingering for a fraction longer than necessary. "You don't have to thank me, A

e that drew her closer. But before either of them could make a mov

she was near him. But she wasn't ready to let her guard down, not yet. And as for Stallion, he stood outside her door, hands in his pocket

, both knew that this was only the beginning of som