Aanya sat in her office, the black box still open in front of her. She knew who it was from — and she knew she couldn’t ignore it.
If he wants to play this game… fine. I’ll set the rules.
She tapped out a message, simple and direct: “Meet me at the café near the pier. 7 PM. We talk.”
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Aston arrived before her, leaning against the railing of the pier as the sun dipped low over the water. His hands were tucked into his coat pockets, but his posture betrayed him — the taut line of his shoulders, the subtle clench of his jaw. He didn’t speak as she approached, but the way his eyes lingered on her made the world around them blur.
There she is… my flame he thought, voice low and raw, even in his mind.
Aston’s eyes never left her as she approached, but it wasn’t just watching — it was ev
