stars against the night sky. From the penthouse balcony, the world fel

ng softly against the marble floor. The night air was crisp, carryi

ing it in. For the first ti

she th

Alexander's voice broke the quiet, low and even,

t turn. "Ne

proval - came from behind her. She heard the soft click of a ligh

at I anticipate

ating his face for a moment. His tie was loose now, his jacket discarded somew

e way of saying I d

r in his gaze. "You exceeded expecta

rtable, but weighted. The kind that settled

tracing the edge of her cl

of smoke, watching it curl into

like he owned every room he entered, the admission

ard to believe

this time, small and fleetin

quietly. "My mother cleaned houses. I built this

more than the ruthless billionaire. She saw the boy who'd claw

... that was somethin

fighting for people you love, you'll trade

aw and unguarded flickering there. The

, Elena," he reminded her, his voice

she replied, a quiet steel in h

hen, in a voice so soft she alm

n this world, understand

straightened his tie, and turned back toward the

railing, staring out a

ve me the wisdom to know what to

ath the glittering city lights, two lonely