Only His On Paper

asn't the cold that made my chest tight. My phone buzzed, and Lily's message was still there.

tion. What does that even mean? A shield? Or just another cage? Be

s out there, still watching? It felt like a knife twisting deep inside. I can't go back to those nights, looking over my shoulder, my heart racing like I

yself to walk, each step heavier than the last. Maybe Damian's right. Maybe this con

eak, reached for mine. Her breath was shallow but steady when I was the

e from Damian. Come to the office tom

No softness.

mp in my throat an

ng over me, heavier than any weight I've known. The drive to Damian'

to scream. The receptionist barely glanced up as we passed, eyes glued to h

he desk felt like an altar for the sacrifice I was about to make. The

t not unkind. "It's more than a signature. It

reamed No b

contract toward me.

nt to trap me. No secrets. No contact with Ethan. Tot

Lily's bills are paid. Then dre

amian's voice

ar, shame, and anger burning inside. Instead,

"Because you didn'

hrough dark streets, broken dreams, sleepless nights full of

. Walls closing in li

man stepped in, tall, sharp-eyed, poised. Her pre

id, respect and ca

ulating. "I'll manage your file, Ava.

eam. Whose plan? Mine w

arn the rules fast. This isn'

n the contract. Not prot

mian caught her arm gently.

ter. But guarded. "Scared is

behind her. Ju

"You're stronger than you know, Ava. But

was already broken. J

nodded. "

the rules. I protect you from outside dange

warning and a pro

d in shadows. Ethan's presence lingered. My past wasn't gone.

e, the silence pressed down heavily. I traced the contract's ed

broke th

y thirties, in a sharp suit, had eye

ing out. "Damian's right ha

lt new alliances and

d, I realized the

re ru

ht had j