The penthouse was quiet—a stark, heavy silence that felt entirely different from the toxic atmosphere of the Sullivan estate.
High above the city lights, the storm outside had finally passed, leaving behind a clear sky dotted with cold stars. But inside, the emotional wreckage of the evening lingered in every corner.
I sat on the edge of Mason’s oversized leather sofa, my shoes discarded on the rug, a mug of warm tea cooling in my hands. The silk of my sapphire dress felt tight against my skin, a rigid armor I was finally desperate to peel off.
From the adjacent open kitchen, the quiet clink of ice against glass chimed softly. Mason walked back into the living space, holding a tumbler of scotch he hadn't touched. He had shed his tie and blazer, his dark hair slightly rumpled where h
