That evening, after finalizing the contract and attending the obligatory corporate victory g, the hour had grownte.


    Haynes had apanied Ste to the party as her date. Once the celebrations wound down, he personally drove her home. Even though Joshua had dropped off the radar, she and Haynes kept up their performance just in case they were still being watched.


    The night was pitch ck, the streetlights casting fragmented, golden shadows across the pavement.


    Watching the city blur past the window, Ste asked, "Has Joshua returned from Novaris yet?"


    "My people haven''t picked up any movement," Haynes replied smoothly. "But with his resources, slipping past my surveince wouldn''t be difficult."


    He shot her a sideways nce. "Has he reached out to you at all?"


    "No. That''s why I''m nning to call Laurel tomorrow."


    "What if he chooses to walk away rather than agree to the hypnosis?" Haynes pressed.


    "When love fades, people naturally weigh the pros and cons," Ste said rationally. "Right now, to him, I''m just ying the role of Rachel Pearce when she left you. Would you throw everything away for someone who isn''t worth it?"


    Haynes looked like he wanted to argue, but ultimately swallowed his words.


    Changing the subject, he noted, "You look exhausted, Star. Are you sure you''re okay? Should we swing by a clinic?"


    "I''m fine," she shook her head. "Just haven''t been sleeping well. When are you heading back?"


    "Things are slow right now. I can stay in Solmaris for a while."


    "And Callie?" she asked. "Still haven''t brought her back?"


    Haynes''s expression turned frigid. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Let her suffer a bit longer."


    Seeing his resolve, Ste dropped the issue.


    The car pulled up to her apartment building. Ste pushed the door open. "It''ste. I won''t ask you up."


    Haynes nodded in understanding.


    Because she was living alone, she had opted for a cozy apartment over a sprawling, empty mansion. She hated the oppressive silence of big houses.


    Unlocking the front door, she kicked off her heels and slipped into her indoor slippers.


    Perhaps the relentless stress of the past few weeks was finally catching up to her, but her bones felt heavy with exhaustion.


    Too tired to even flick on the lights, she navigated the dark living room toward the


    sofa, intending to rest for a few minutes before showering.


    Halfway there, a primal instinct kicked in. She froze.


    Her head snapped up.


    The apartment was cloaked in shadows, save for the pale, liquid moonlight spilling through the window. In the gloom, a tall, broad silhouette stood perfectly still, melting into the darkness.


    Every muscle in Ste''s body locked up.


    Sensing her terror, the man reached out. The floormp next to the sofa clicked on.


    The dim, amber glow washed over his handsome features, casting sharp, predatory shadows across the angles of his face.


    The second she recognized him, the breath left her lungs in a rush of relief.


    It was Joshua.


    His dark eyes tracked her every micro-expression, missing nothing.


    His crisp, chilling voice sliced through the silence. "You think I''m such a monster, yet you aren''t screaming. Are you that confident I won''t hurt you?


    Ste forced her heart rate to steady. "Yes. You love me too much to every a hand on me."


    Under the dim light, his gaze darkened into something terrifying and unreadable.