elaney greeted a coworker she passed in the hallwa

ropped the files she was carrying,

hing to gather the papers. Delaney chuckl

you're getting comfortable around

ng relieved. "I'll t

uredly. "Just get the files orga

r system and start working. The familiar glow of the screens and the hum of t

a coffee for herself; it helped h

ent reports when the door to her small

is

fortless chaos, she leaned against the doorframe, arms

sley announc

w. "Just us, or is T

Delaney swore she saw them rotat

or

coffed. "

rin. "So... I can in

shot her

to cover the bill, and since I can't tole

d knowingly, t

on't like him. I just like fr

Delane

ver. I'll be in my office. Five minutes." And wi

her attention to her screen. Just as she reached for her coffee

yl

omach

he picked

Laney!

d sugary as ever, and Delaney imm

out to ask," Delaney said,

laug

aught up, and Alex and I were talking about you last night. He thin

elaney frown

er with us. I'll cook. We can talk, you know, t

old t

eyes. "How many times do we have to ca

mm

y sighed, exhalin

added quickly, her voice softening.

hed. "Fine.

l text you

rig

! Love

ed at her phone for a moment before muttering, "Gues

ughts, her door opened again. Tyler strolle

up. "Paisley a

iting me?" T

o, actually. She to

knew she couldn'

ing." Delaney chuckl

ned wider. "So, w

before Paisley e

ey pushed aside the uneas

*

NACLE INTE

tional reflected the steel-gray sky, standing as a s

flipping through documents as his secretary stood in f

etbacks with the Singapore branch. Nothing critical, but the board expects a ful

ex asked witho

s,

oo

before continuing. "Ther

y glanced u

m a few weeks ago. Nothing got through, but IT flagged it as highly sophis

fingers tapping against the des

erst

Go

slightly before stepping out. The door remained ajar

time n

ened. His jaw tightene

"Relax. Just thou

fingers curling into

*

ER MANSION

ing in the modern architecture, the pristine lands

eath. Kayla's really

thoughts, she kn

, Kayla answe

it!" The

rced a smi

me

shed elegance of the home-the high ceilings, the marble flo

before Kayla looped an arm around he

excited to finally meet yo

at the table filled with feast Kayla pre

how's

d, swirling the drink in h

a be

's so much to do. The dress fittings, th

ed from the staircase. Alex descended, his eyes fixed on his phone as he typed out a

is gaze sweeping the room before settling on Delaney

elay," he said, po

d deliberate. Delaney watched him, her eyes narrow

his eyes locking onto Delaney's for a

did I

ing m

. "It's good to final

ed, without

?" Alex asked,

d a shoulder.

eing modest. She's actu

hum

o you do?" He asked

a second. "Marketing.

irked s

of any business. A weak brand presenc

little caught off g

She force

ed. "See?

la's upcoming wedding plans. Delaney found herself watching Alex closely, t

ere halfway th

one vi

st. But then it buzz

ket. His face darkened for a split second

as he strode tow

rk. He's always busy. Sometimes I feel lik

sently. But somet

es pa

idn't

e table. They loaded the dishwasher, and Kayla started c

g room," Kayla said, rinsing a

a moment, she said, "Actually

ownstairs is under repai

hands on a dish towel bef

A voice. Alex's voice. Low, sharp. She crept close

of him myself." Alex's voice came throu

ath caught. W

move. Then- Silence. She barely had time

as com