Stephanie shut the apartment door gently behind her, the soft click echoing louder than she expected. The familiar scent of coffee and cinnamon filled her senses, grounding her after the whirlwind night. She barely had time to set her bag down before Leo appeared from the hallway, arms crossed, face unreadable.
"You're home." His voice wasn't angry—just cautious.
Stephanie managed a nod, brushing her fingers through her tangled hair. "Yeah… I am."
Leo took a few slow steps forward, studying her. His eyes dropped to the oversized navy-blue shirt she still wore—Nathan's shirt. "That's not yours."
Stephanie glanced down, lips twitching at the corners. "No. It's not."
A beat of silence passed.
"You stayed at his place."
It wasn't a question. He already knew.
Stephanie lowered her eyes and offered a slow, almost shy nod. "I did."
Leo stared at her, something shifting in his gaze—part protective big brother, part astonished roommate. "Damn. Okay, well… do you want to tell me if I need to storm his tower or… was it good?"
She laughed, light and reluctant. "No need to storm anything. It was… complicated. But not in a bad way."
Leo rubbed the back of his neck. "You look different. I don't know. Softer? Happier? Confused?"
Stephanie smiled faintly. "All of the above."
He reached forward, gently squeezing her shoulder. "You know I'll support you, right? Just be careful with your heart. Guys like Nathan… they don't usually come with a safety net."
"I know," she whispered.
He gave her one more meaningful glance before grabbing his keys from the kitchen counter. "I've got errands. Anita's in your room. She was worried. Go talk to her."
Stephanie nodded and watched her brother leave before heading down the hall. She cracked open her bedroom door and peeked inside.
Anita was curled on the bed in yoga pants and a hoodie, one hand scrolling her phone, the other deep in a bag of popcorn. When she looked up and saw Stephanie, her jaw dropped.
"Girl. You. Are. Glowing."
Stephanie laughed as she entered. "What is with everyone and the glowing comment?"
Anita flung the popcorn bag aside and sat up straighter. "You are glowing! What happened?! Where were you last night? I was ready to call the cops."
Stephanie dropped beside her on the bed, burying her face in her hands for a second before lifting it slowly. "Okay. Don't freak out. But… I was with Nathan."
Anita blinked, stunned. "Like… with with?"
Stephanie nodded.
Anita squealed and grabbed her shoulders. "You slept with the Nathan Voss?! Are you okay? Did he treat you well? Tell me everything!"
Stephanie blushed. "Yes, we slept together. And no, it wasn't planned. I got drunk at the club and some creep tried to harass me. Nathan was there, he saved me, took me to his place, and was a complete gentleman. Didn't even touch me until I kissed him. The rest… just happened."
Anita's expression softened, and she pulled her friend into a warm hug. "You've been through hell, Steph. You deserve someone who actually sees you. Someone who cares."
Stephanie pulled back, brows knitting. "But that's just it. What if it's not real? What if it was just a moment?"
"Do you think it was just a moment?"
"No," she admitted. "It felt like more. It felt like… I mattered."
Anita squeezed her hand. "Then trust your heart. But remember who you're dealing with. Nathan Voss is not just any man. He has secrets. Power. Enemies. Don't lose yourself in his world."
Stephanie nodded slowly. "I won't. I just… I don't know how to not feel what I'm feeling."
Across the city, on the 34th floor of Vosstech Tower, the air was tense. Nathan stood by the glass wall of his office, arms folded, eyes distant. The skyline stretched before him, but his thoughts were elsewhere—on the woman with fire in her eyes and softness in her soul.
A knock on the door broke his reverie.
"Come in."
Samson stepped in, his jaw tight and his tone low. "We have a problem."
Nathan turned immediately. "What kind of problem?"
Samson shut the door behind him and pulled out a file. "It's Victor and Damien. They've been meeting in secret more frequently—this time with some external consultants. I hacked into the security logs of your uncle's private estate. Last night, they had two offshore bankers and an ex-board member of Vosstech at the house."
Nathan's eyes narrowed. "They're moving."
"Yes. Damien's also been reaching out to some of the old board members—quietly. He's trying to build silent support to remove you after your birthday. Victor's backing him completely."
Nathan's hands balled into fists at his sides. "They want to bury me before I take full control."
Samson gave a firm nod. "But there's more. Damien accessed your parents' old property records—specifically the one where the accident occurred. He's digging."
Nathan's face turned to stone.
"They're looking for leverage," Samson continued. "Something they can twist."
Nathan's voice was sharp. "Then it's time I stop reacting and start playing offense."
Samson arched a brow. "What's the move?"
Nathan turned back to the window, but his mind was sharper than ever. "We leak a rumor. Let them think I'm distracted. That I'm too caught up in some romance to pay attention. They'll get careless."
Samson grinned. "The oldest trap in the book."
"And the deadliest when they walk straight into it," Nathan said coldly.
Then his voice softened—just a little. "But I need Stephanie protected. No matter what happens, nothing touches her."
Samson nodded without hesitation. "Already done. I have a team shadowing her movements. Discreetly."
Nathan gave him a look of deep trust. "Good."
As Samson left the office, Nathan moved to his desk, pulling open the drawer. He picked up the small, worn locket Stephanie had unknowingly dropped the night she first visited Vosstech. Inside was a faded photo—her as a child with her parents.
The same parents who saved his life.
He held the locket tightly, jaw clenched.
She has no idea.
And soon, he would have to make a choice—tell her the truth and risk losing her, or keep it buried… and protect her from the storm brewing around them.
But time was running out.
And secrets don't stay buried forever.