Two: An

ocean crashing against the cliffs. Her a its creaking wooden floors and pale curtains, felt li

revious day lingered in her mind, a puzzle she couldn't stop trying to solve. There was

into a loose braid and walked into the kitchen. The scent of Sarah's leftover stew still lingered from the night bef

kind of weather that made the world feel suspended in time. Anya sat on the steps of

illness di

d down the narrow dirt road that led to her cottage. A sleek black car was a

home. The door opened, and a man in a tailored gray suit stepped

asked, his voic

iously, her fingers tig

sted his tie, his movements precise and deliberate.

minimalist black emblem she didn't recognize. Anya hesitate

r voice steady despite the un

ackwood is hosting a small gathering at his

didn't seem like the kind of thing she

e leaving little room for argument. "He believes

mouth to refuse, but Mr. Carter gave her a curt n

cceptance," he said before

hed in her hand. She debated throwing it away, but curiosity got the better of

-

n

e to share an evening with you-no expectations, no oblig

ill arriv

Da

-

timacy of his words sent a shiver down her spine. No expecta

invitation entirely. She owed Damien Blackwood nothing, and her instinct screamed at her to keep he

the meager selection of clothes. Most were too casual for a gathering at a billionaire's estate, but s

rves prickling with every second. The ride to the Blackwood estate was short but tense.

a shadow against the misty sky, its towering windows glowing with warm light.

ed-high ceilings, marble floors, and chandeliers that seemed to drip with diamonds. Yet,

Damien's voice, smo

his presence dominating the room. He was dressed in a t

e said, his lips curvi

eks flush. "I was

remained. "You should always trust your insti

ed before taking it. His touch was wa

m. Unlike the grand foyer, this space was cozy, with a roaring fireplace and shelves lined with b

hering," Anya said, her v

plied smoothly. "A

a beat. "You could

you hav

wer, and Damien'

d, gesturing

nfolded, Damien asked her about her art, her life by the sea, and her thoughts on the

harming, his attention disarming in its intensity. Yet, there was

voice breaking the fragile comf

be obvious. "Because you're different. Unyielding. You've built w

set down her glass and met his gaze, sea

espite the knot forming in her stomach

ntensity unrelenting. "You intrigue me, Anya. I'm not

n the air, and Anya realized that, despite her b