the pale sheets. Mia stirred gently, her lashes fluttering before her eye

ered what day it

st day o

for her journal. It was more of a diary, She had fallen asleep when She was pouring out her feelings as usual in the blank pages. It gave her a sense of peace whenever she poured out her deepest feelings. Her journal

itual. Quiet. Per

ngs I'm gr

hool year wi

harpened pencils a

I still

ht. Hope was dangerous. It was the reason she woke up each morning thinking maybe just maybe he'd look a

journal gently,

't care about last names or contracts or social status. They just wanted someone to list

trast to how she fe

uite bathroom. As she brushed her teeth, her eyes caught her reflection gre

e barely reco

irt. Modest. Neat. Gentle. She pinned her hair half-up and touched her lips with a h

en

tiness. Everything was sleek and modern and far too cold, l

kit

as she stepped insi

ternational. Only heir of the Blackwoo

rolled just enough to reveal the silver watch on his wrist. His hair was slightly damp

dn't l

ing," Mia s

deep and flat, his eyes

ried for lightness, cheer. "I have a new batch of fi

murmured, tapp

aking just enough to make the china clink. The silen

kfast," she offered, glancing at the marble islan

. I have an early

and took a sip, even thou

lanced up. His gray eyes

d with kids,"

eart s

, Than

down his tablet. "Do you

y driving

a faint n

r. He walked past her, grabbing

he paused. "Go

othing. A

ersations like this with him were rare.M

whispered as he

her chest. She loved him. With everything in her. Had loved him since she was a child chasin

of them had

ontrolled. Strategic. He agreed only to secure his po

uld grow where

ne year, she

piece. A thread. A single, small spar

tiny flower shaped air fresheners. A far cry from the luxury cars Damian drove but it was hers. She had bought it fro

ntle pop song as she pulled out of the drivewa

med her skin. And for the first time in

t a contract or a forgotten wife. Just the teache

in her mind. The way he looked this morning. The way he sai

ished

she meant

ove her. The girl who had loved him in silence since she was a child.