The first snow of the evening had melted into a gentle drizzle, tapping softly against the windowpanes. Inside the quiet apartment, the lights were dimmed low, casting a warm glow across the room.
Noah sat curled on the sofa, knees pulled up, a blanket draped loosely over his shoulders. His usually sparkling eyes were shadowed with exhaustion and hurt. The scandal, the leaks, the betrayal—it had all taken a toll. Normally resilient and confident, tonight he felt fragile in a way only Aarush seemed to notice.
Aarush Sen, impeccably composed as ever, stood near the kitchen counter, preparing two mugs of hot chocolate. He glanced at Noah, heart aching at the sight of vulnerability in someone who rarely showed it.
“You need this,” Aarush said softly, setting a mug in front of him. The warmt
