The night was cold as Julian entered the penthouse, the weight of the failed mission pressing on his shoulders. His mind was still racing, but there was a certain emptiness now—like everything he had fought for was slipping further from his grasp.
He shut the door behind him, taking a slow breath before he turned to face the room.
Emily was sitting on the couch, her posture rigid, her gaze distant. The silence between them was thick—unspoken words that neither of them dared voice.
Julian moved toward her, his footsteps echoing in the vast space. “Emily, we need to talk.”
She didn’t look up. “I’m listening.”
His chest tightened. He hated the distance in her voice, the cool detachment that seemed so out of place.
“I didn’t expect it to go like this.” His voice was steady, but there was
