Sloane Pov
For days, I did everything I could to avoid Caelan. I made sure our paths never crossed, keeping my movements in the house strictly timed so we wouldn't accidentally bump into each other.
It had been weeks of quiet, careful distance, but the dynamic between us had fundamentally shifted. I had finally won the legal case regarding my shareholder documentation, granting me full access to enter the Obsidian building. It was a massive victory, but it meant the wall I built between my life and his empire was officially crumbling.
At one in the morning, I finally came downstairs for a glass of water.
The kitchen light was already on. Caelan was leaning against the counter, his collar was open by those same two buttons, and his sleeves were pushed up to his elbows.
He didn't turn around when I walked in. He just kept facing the window, his hand wrapped tightly around the mug, staring out into the dark garden.
