The Billionaire's Cold Heart

m

already running late. That

nd the freezing rain stuck to my skin like punishment. I clutched my coat tighter, but it was

laces where people dropped a week's paycheck on a dinner. For me, it was a job barely. The place never reall

k staff door and skid

ut looking up from his clip

ff my dripping hoodie,

Do not screw

ith the apron string

oked meals waiting. No savings. Just a cramped apartment that smelled like old paint, a manager who

pad. Her eyes scanned me, concern flickering ben

ak laugh. "

don't want m

ake those

e like... a five and a half.

t well. "Thanks, N

ining area and her face twisted. "Yikes.

e K

e block and not flinch. Comes in once a month, same seat,

ea

t the shift in energy. Laughter, clinking glasse

the far bo

broad, his posture straight, and he had this unsettling stillness about him as if eve

w, his gaze was

an V

e magazines, TV, even Times Square ads. Twenty-eight. Billionaire. Ruthless. The

. Not politely. Not kind

careful not to trip

Would you like to he

tilted,

shoes, my limp ponytail, m

deep and controlled.

d. "Rig

l for the excuse to breath

s your

sed.

're

d here for

efore replying. "Y

u

effortless way he said them. Like

o care. People like Damian Vale didn't notice people l

t to let my hands shake. He didn't say thank you. Just

the night pretendi

my brain was fried. I was halfway through untying my apr

el

l wh

n himself and didn't burst int

. "He bar

Silence is mo

ed my bag. "I doubt

Or maybe you're the first thing

yes and heade

oor of a tired walk-up in Queens. The hallway lights flickered, and the door stuck

fridge that hummed louder than it cooled. There was

mine. I paid f

can of beans I didn't even bother to heat. I ate straight f

always made me

t the sky was crying for someone

a long

e anyone or anyth

early, hoping to pick up a breakfast shift

got a de

wha

red envelope with my name writt

for a moment be

as a sin

Car

t an im

speak with y

.

his an invitati

ds tre

my full name. I n

id he

eep from swaying. The enve

uldn't

like Damian Vale want