My Guardian's Cruelest Love Game

Holla

been lifted from my shoulders. The towering glass buildings of New York, once a comforting symbol of Kendrick's power and my security, now felt like a suffocating cage. Here, in this new c

ful steps, no more trying to provoke a reaction, no more desperate yearning for a love that would never be

. "Amirah, welcome to Boston! Dr. Joyce will meet you at baggage cl

ed the crowd, searching for a face that matched the intense, dark-eyed photo Professor Vance had

nd his glasses perched low on his nose, giving him an air of intense concentration. He wasn't holding a sign. He didn't need to. He just stood there, radiating

g intensity. He was even more striking in person, his features sharper, his presence more formidable than any photograph could con

omical, efficient. He stopped a few feet away, his expression unreadable. "Amirah Holland?

ands then, long and slender, his fingers slightly stained with what looked like ink or graphi

e an eternity. The silence of the apartment was deafening, the vast space echoing with an unfami

ingrained over seven years. He always expected to hear the faint rustle of

wasn't there. His breath hitched, a strange, hollow ache blooming in his ches

urity, for their future. But now, with the silence of the penthouse screaming her absence, a chilling thought began to take root. Was he truly so selfless? Or had he

ettled in. To make sure she was okay. He typed out a short message, then deleted it. Too needy. Too personal. He forced himself to put th

ilence, once a sign of her compliance, now felt like an impenetrable wall. Had she truly cut him off?

or in the subdued space. She wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her cheek against his back.

" he said, his voice flat, "I'm tired. I just got back fro

llure of her artistic temperament. "Well, I have some exciting news! My gallery show is officially confirmed for next month

he silence from Amirah was unnerving. He had expected some kind of respon

o clear my schedule." He pulled out his wallet. "Here," he added, han

face. "I was hoping you'd come with me to pick out the caterers, darling. And help me choose the centerpiece

xt week was Amirah's birthday. The small, sad promise he'd mad

iration. Can't we just... postpone that other thing? Maybe celebrate la

sharper now, a warning in his tone. He pulled away from her, his

r of hurt, then confusion.

ut our arrangement. You are my fiancée, for all public intents and purposes. You get the connections, the funding, the pre