Sebastian stood by the window of his penthouse, swirling a glass of scotch in his hand. The city lights flickered beneath him like sparks in a dying fire, restless and alive. The victory in the boardroom had been sharp, clean, decisive—but hollow.
Because the woman who helped him win wasn’t by his side.
Amelia hadn’t returned any of his texts.
And part of him knew why.
He had broken her trust once—first with the contract marriage, then with the surveillance she never consented to. Even though he’d stopped, even though Julian had picked up the threads, the damage was done.
Sebastian hadn’t just fallen for Amelia.
He had failed her.
The weight of that truth pressed on him, heavy and suffocating.
His phone buzzed on the counter.
Unknown Number.
He hesitated, then answered. “Sebastia
