Two weeks draped by a snail’s pace, each day bluing into the next in a haze of monotony and aching hands.


    Leouldn’t cool, couldn’t write. Hell, I could barely undo the buttons on my own clothes without looking like I was trying to defuse a bomb blindfolded The only highlight of the past few <b>days </b>was that my coursework hadn’t suffered.


    Which was a miracle in itself,


    Somehow, despite the chaos, I was managing to keep up. My trusty nabe–recorder app–which converted ss <b>audio </b>into legible notes–had be my I was grateful had enough foresight to install it before, although I had previously used it for listening to my notes while working or doing chores


    <b>???? </b>


    The professors didn’t seem too sympathetic, and missing sses at this point in the semester, any more than I already <b>had</b>, could’ve spelled disaster. Especially now, with finals looming and my graduation on the line


    It was supposed to be a triumphant year. The end of the road. Closure. Freedom.


    And yet…it didn’t feel like any of those things.


    I was graduating soon. That was a fact. But what came after?


    Before all this, I had a n. A very practical, normal, painfully predictable n. Finish my degree. Apply to every car manufacturingpany that would take me–Velhaven Motors, Mobilus Auto<b>, </b><b>even </b>maybe an internship at LEGACY if got lucky. My dream had always been to design my own line of vehicles, something sleek yet affordable, but I’d been realistic.


    A stable corporate job <b>was </b>always the safer rouse and honestly the ONLY route for me. Maybe do some frence designing on the side. <b>But </b>that was it. I still had a debt to pay and couldn’t afford to waste my time and energy on unpaid internships and building more experience <b>or </b>connections.


    But then Niki entered the picture.


    And the nt it <b>twisted</b>. Morphed.


    At first I had believed that by the end of the year I would have saved enough to pay the debt and then I would have a little freedom to explore the job market and do what I wanted. After all, my monthly allowance of ten thousand would end after our divorce. So I would still need a proper job soon after


    But then that conversation in the car happened, the one I kept ying in my head like a broken vinyl. What if we don’t divorce


    He’d said it. He’d meant it.


    So now what!


    What the fuck was I supposed to do now?


    My original n had never included being the wife of a billionaire with enemies. Even with Dmitr, nothing was ever this highkey. I didn’t have to worry <b>about </b>constant eyes on me when I went out. Nor <b>think </b>about people constantly mentioning me in <b>news </b>articles, etc. But knew even this was very controlled by Niki. He tried to always keep things as lowkey andfortable for me as he could.


    But that didn’t change the fact that even he kept people around me. Yes, I hadn’t met them yet. But he definitely had people following me around


    Anyways, back on topic. How was I supposed to think straight when just one nce from him made my knees buckle harder than a worn–out suspension <b>spring</b>!


    <b>sighed </b>and adjusted the throw pillow under my arm, shitting on the couch. My hands still throbbed sometimes, but the itching beneath the bandagens told me they were healing. Thank god. Because if I had to deal with Princess for even one more day, I might actuallybust.


    <b>Yes</b>. That was her real name. I had asked her


    Chapter


    Who the hell marmed then Aid Princessh


    She was apetent initse. Very sweet, actually, Attentive, efficient, didn’t hover unnecessarily but the way she looked at Niki. Like he was a show offorbidden chocte cake and she was on a diet that she was dying to cheat on


    I hadn’t said anything but of politeness. Or maybe because i didn’t want to gun him reason to call me jealous and insecure. Like Dmitri used to.


    Bit varier this week, Loverheard her talking to her friends on the phone. Not in person on speaker, like a moron. Laughing and giggling about how hat my husband was. My hinband.


    She hadn’t said it to my face, no. But did it really matter?


    I hadn’t called her out for it. Mostly because I didn’t want to cause unnecessary drama. But as soon as the bandages were off, she was out. That was the


    deal


    Speak of the devil


    led my eyes before could stop myself.


    Princess sauntered into the living room, hips swinging slightly more than necessary, and my brows climbed of their <b>own </b>ord. Her uniform today wasn’t her skal blue scrubs. No, now it was pink. Not just pink–tight pink Clinging to her like a second skin. Her long, brown hair was still damp, clearly just washed, but now styled into a glossy blowout that framed her <b>face </b>ke she <b>was </b>about to audition for a shampoomercial


    She gave me a bright, dimpled smile


    “Shouldde your hair now?” she asked, her voice sweet. “It’s still wet, <b>and </b>I don’t want you <b>to </b>catch a cold.”


    didn’t want her anywhere near me actually.


    forced a neutral tone “No thanks, I’ll let it air dry. Leave the brush on the sofa.”


    She blinked, clearly not expecting the cold response. “Are you sure? I can do it-


    The bell ring


    And the lit up like a goddamn Christmas tree.


    Before I could even blink, she spun on her heel and hurried toward the door, practically prancing


    Igre my <b>jaw </b>so hard I thought my teeth might <b>crack</b>,


    What was this? A pomo? “Hot Cheating Billionaire Husband Comes Home to Sexy Nurse? Where were the cameras? The sultry seriously, what happened to workce professionalism?


    And then he walked in.


    And just like that my initation melted


    soundtrack? And


    Niki stood framed in the doorway, tall and broad shouldered, dressed in his <b>usual </b>business casual–dark cks, white button–up shirt rolled at the sleeves, a ck cout draped over his forearm. He had a bouquet in one hand. Deep <b>red </b>roses wrapped in brown parchment and twine.


    And my breath caught


    He moved straight toward me like I was the only thing in the room. Asil Princess didn’t even exist


    13:14 <b>Fri</b><b>, </b>25 Jul GG


    ka asked, crtinching thight


    I me an eye level. His Repers brushed my thank, Ingering like


    ras i side eyed the nurte, who was hovering behind him with her lip caught between her teeth and her


    “Limuttered shifting dramatically under the nket. “I’m exhausted. And cold. My hair’s wet”


    gine was cos. Bordering en a whine,


    We did tha


    ? the take fiting from before. Not the strategic banterced with contractual obligation.


    made my heart thing like a damn war drum.


    Niki brow furrowed immediately. “Why’s your hair wet?” His head turned slightly, eyes narrowing. “And why the hell is the AC on?”


    med sharply to Princess, who visibly tensed


    And why your hair open like that?” His voice turned clipped. “It’s unhygienic to be around food or patients with your hair down.” Well…I wasn’t


    Her eyes widened, and for second, she actually locked flustered,


    h—Uni–l wasn’t cooking just showered-”


    “That’s not the point,” he cut invoice cool, tone edged with ice. “Professional boundaries are non–negotiable.”


    Oh, honey. You picked the wrong man to flirt with