Dr. Hayes silently packed his tablet into his medical briefcase, took one look at the absolute fire burning in Damien’s eyes, and slipped out the back exit without another word. The heavy doors clicked shut, leaving us completely marooned in the vast, empty boardroom.
The silence in the room became heavy, thick, and electric.
"Seven weeks," Damien murmured. His voice wasn't a corporate growl or a calm calculation anymore. It was a raw, low rasp that vibrated directly against my ribs.
He didn't take his arm off my waist. Instead, his grip tightened, pulling my body so close against his tailored black suit that I could feel the thunderous, erratic beating of his heart.
"Damien, I—" My voice failed me. My lungs felt flat, completely crushed under the weight of the realization.
"The masqu
