The One My Heart Craves

a Mar

eiling windows. For a moment, I forgot where I was. Then everything cam

ow fit perfectly. On the nightstand sat a steaming cup of coffee and a handwritten note in Ale

tfulness. Even in my darkest mom

hing from casual wear to business suits, all with tags still attached. W

ing like they were made for me. In the mirror, I looke

rolled up, looking nothing like the billionaire tech mogul the world knew. He l

he asked, flipping eg

itted, sliding onto a barstool.

rfect Eggs Benedict in front of me. "I had my assistant pick up

It's barely e

up his neck. "I may h

ne ever cared for me like this? Certainly not Ethan, who coul

all this," I said softl

was firm but gentle. "

was to him - Marcus's littl

with quiet efficiency. Everything about him was controlled, precise,

id, setting

ashing dishes,

you somethi

tensed slightl

somehow missed last night in my emotiona

water. The silence stretched so

finally said, his vo

gaged to Senator Harrison's

ied his hands slowly, still no

cated," I pressed gently. "Either yo

gainst the counter. His expre

are about more t

at suppose

nly tired. "It means sometimes families make

"An arranged ma

pectations." He shrugged, trying to look casual. "

The question slipped ou

face - so quick I almost missed

not an

your heart broken by someone you loved. Ma

d caught her fiancé cheating less than twelve hours ago. I was sup

u're right. I'm sorry. I d

ice soft with concern. "Don't ap

supposed to be in love, but he could betray me so easily. And then I see you, and you're so go

wh

at. You deserve someone who loves you for who you

en I looked up, his eyes

shaking his head. "You're dealing with

the moment. Alex glanced at the

elt like we'd been caught doing something

t," I sai

d to accep

h the phone, urgent and worried. Alex'

ause. "Something happened with E

arcus, his voice ge

" Alex said. "Just... she's safe

r" made my stomach flutter in a wa

me with something like

ght," Alex said quietl

explanations, decisions about my future. But right now, in

I said

, Pri

ing me stay, for the clothes, for breakfast." I paused, my

his eyes before he quickly look

Alex glanced at it and his e

ed, alarmed by the

attached - a picture of Alex and me embracing outside Ethan's buildin

sting. I wonder what Senator Harrison would think

to ice. "Someone

flared, his jaw tightening.

The Carlyle Hotel. Come alone, or this photo

ages, my safe morning crumbling

board. "First, I'm calling my security team. Then we fig

hoto anyway? What about your en

e and protective. "Let me worry about t

hone, I couldn't shake the feeling that our quiet morni