The warmth of the night lingered as Emma woke to the soft glow of the city skyline filtering through the curtains. She shifted slightly, feeling Alexander’s steady breathing beside her. His arm was draped protectively over her waist, and for a moment, everything felt perfect, as if the chaos of their lives had paused just for them.
But reality crept back in like an unwelcome guest. Emma’s thoughts wandered to Claudia’s venomous expression during the boardroom confrontation and Nathan’s warning from the previous day. The weight of their secret relationship, entangled in Alexander’s high-stakes world, pressed heavily on her chest.
She gently slipped out of bed, careful not to wake him, and padded to the living room. The city lights stretched endlessly, a constant reminder of the life Alexa
