AUTHOR’S NOTE (THANK YOU MESSAGE)

The room was quiet, yet her heart was loud. She stood by the tall window, staring at the city lights below, but she wasn’t really seeing them. Her thoughts were tangled, her chest tight with emotions she didn’t want to name. Everything felt too heavy—too soon. She had told herself she was fine. She had told herself the breakup was necessary. She had told herself she was strong. But strength didn’t stop the ache. A soft knock came at the door. She stiffened. For a moment, she hoped it wouldn’t open. For another moment, she hoped it would. When the door finally did open, it wasn’t the person she expected. It was him. Her stepbrother. He stood there quietly, hands in his pockets, his eyes filled with something gentle… and dangerous. Concern. The kind that reached too deep, too fast. “You disappeared,” he said softly. “I was worried.” She swallowed and looked away. “I just needed air.” He stepped inside anyway, closing the door behind him. The distance between them felt smaller than it should have been—like the room itself was pushing them closer. “You don’t have to pretend with me,” he said. “I know you’re hurting.” That was all it took. Her breath hitched. She pressed her fingers into her palms, fighting the tears threatening to fall. “I don’t want to talk about it.” He didn’t argue. Instead, he moved closer—slow, careful, as if afraid she might shatter. “I know,” he said. “But you don’t have to be alone.” Those words broke something inside her. Before she could stop herself, she leaned into him. Just slightly. Just enough to feel his warmth, his steady presence. His hand hesitated in the air before gently resting on her shoulder, like he was asking permission without words. Neither of them spoke. Neither of them pulled away. And somewhere else in the building… The CEO stood frozen. He had come looking for her, his mind filled with unfinished words and emotions he refused to admit. But what he saw made his jaw tighten and his blood turn cold. Her. In his arms. Too close. Too intimate. Something sharp twisted in his chest—jealousy, raw and unexpected. He clenched his fists, his expression darkening as he turned away before either of them noticed him. So this was how it was going to be. A slow war. A quiet rivalry. A heart caught in the middle. And she didn’t even realize it yet. --- 💬 Author’s Note (A/N) – Chapter 2 Things are starting to shift 👀 Feelings are getting messy… and jealousy has officially entered the story. What do you think? 👉 Team CEO or Team Stepbrother? Don’t forget to like, comment, and follow if you’re enjoying the story. Chapter 3 is coming with even more tension 😌🔥 — Wizboy ✨