y's

ob as I stared wide eyed at

ael

ck I tore and flung in

hing unreadable flickered in his eyes as they swept over my body, taking in my bare face, messy bun,

actually come," I murmur

replied calmly, raising the small o

oked at my sleek,

en noticed i

ation, He stepped forward, s

n't I s

nsive, and dangerous. His presence filled my apartment like

aze sweeping over the tidy space until it landed on t

. He picked up th

h

his jaw. He looked at it for a moment, his fingers tapp

Miss Jordan," he said smoothly, foldi

x of embarrassment and defe

e of your

his hands into his pockets. "Bu

he silence stretche

Measured. But the weight beh

e a pr

eyebrow. "A

head. "This time,

d, arms

e functions. "You'll be generously compensated." You will have a place to live, a job i

ted. A business deal. Like I was

're j

his tone flat but not cruel. "

If you want to discuss the terms further," he said, stepping close

tightens, emotions swirling in c

d already on the door. Before st

iley," he said, voice low. "Y

hut the door behind him, leaving me alone with a storm brewin

*****

POV (c

same unreadable expression. His presence lingered even after he was go

e my apartment suddenly felt louder than ever. My eyes drifted to the card he left on

that card to ashes. But reality? Reality was c

pa

and f

ts were s

girlf

jo

ce to

mf

hat

the man I humiliated. The one I thought I would never see again. The one who looked at me li

at the ca

row it away," I w

I di

rd the front d

I could say a word. "You didn't lock t

nd walk in like you own the place, ho

table before catching sight of the eviction noti

to call you,"

You sounded

ut a word. She studied it,

billionaire, stone-hearted,

odd

ened, then c

" I said, voice low. "A job... a place to st

d grown two heads. "Rile

oked

ter. "This isn't just about pride anymore. You're out of a job, you're broke,

oat ti

arrative, Ri. If life handed you a contract,

the card o

ady to make

dangerou