THE LAST SHOOTING STAR

ere was no need for him to say it out loud. Irene hadn't "suddenly" become this way. Life had sha

knew that bet

happen helpless,

y breath before her composure finally cracked. Tears welled up in he

he whispered, her voice tremblin

ly placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Irene will be fine," he said

just cold she was frozen. And unfreezing her?

iping her tears. Without another word, he gestured toward the stai

im up the grand staircase. The house was eerily quiet, the soft

in. The room was elegant but simple, just like everything Irene did minimal yet flawless. The bed was alrea

She smiled a little, running her fingers over the pl

he doorframe, arms cro

bed. "Even when she acts like she doesn

you. A hurricane on the outside, but som

looking toward the door. "You're g

se. Someone's gotta kee

musement flickering in her exhau

e door behind him. But as he walked toward his own room to freshen up, hi

hing about that damn med

ed no time peeling off his suit jacket, followed by his shirt and tie, letting them drop carelessly onto the bed. His fingers

ock to his system, sending a shiver down his spine. He let it run over hi

eded

ion of the day, but to prepare hi

y. Not now, and definitel

ype to be tricked. But this wasn't about control it was about survival.

ened as he th

chable. But he saw through it. He saw the cracks she tried to hide, the qu

him for what he

be

damp hair before stepping out. He wrapped a towel around his waist, wipin

unreadable, but his

hat, Irene was takin

rolling the sleeves up to his elbows. He ran a hand through his damp

e had to d

get exhausted easily. Even after her diagnosis, she had kept up her usual routine, pushin

...things

earlier than usual.

e relieved that she was at least resting more.

ss was catching up to her. Proof t

use she refused to

r of what was wrong with her, an

t mean he was going to

clock tick by, listening fo

was asleep, he stood up, crac

what needed

ressing his ear against it, listeni

careful precision, making sure not to make a sound. The room was dimly l

s fast asleep at

pi

going to her home office, she'd work here instead

flawless they seemed almost unreal. The way her long lashes rested against her cheeks, the gentle rise and fall of he

ked...

d by something softer, more vulnerable. A s

like this, they wouldn't be terrified of her. Instead, they

that made him chuc

n't the time

aught his eye her iPad, the screen still glowing faintly

tch

d been making adjustments, refining every detail, perfecting them in a way o

itely going to be another surviv

ey never repeated collections. Each drop was produced in just enough quantity f

why people couldn't

ce-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And these

something no one else could see, Irene

effortlessly lifting her into his arms. She stirred slightly bu

g-size bed, he gently laid her do

the ha

up, his gaze shifting toward the bedsid

nts, he pulled it o

ation, neatly lined up