The afternoon sun dipped lazily behind the Parisian clouds as Aira stepped into the marble-floored mansion once again. The soft scent of lavender followed her from the university—new air, new smiles, a world she wasn’t ready to lose.
She barely exchanged words with the staff as she walked up the grand staircase and entered her room. The weight of the day slowly melted away as she showered, letting the warm water wash off the memories of her laughter with Zain and Beth—memories she feared Dominic would tear away the moment he found out.
She stepped out, skin damp, wrapped in a single, soft white towel folded securely across her chest. Drops of water traced the line of her collarbone, and she ran a hand through her wet hair, heading toward the dresser.
Then she froze.
He was already ther
