The morning headlines were brutal.
"Billionaire Heir Nathan Voss Spotted With Model-Actress Kiara Blake—Are They Hollywood's New Power Couple?"
Stephanie stared at her phone, the screen trembling in her grip. Her heart sank, her stomach twisting in disbelief. There was a picture attached—Nathan and Kiara stepping out of a sleek black car, surrounded by flashing cameras. Kiara had her hand on Nathan's chest, her face turned up to his with a flirtatious smile. Nathan wasn't smiling, but he wasn't pushing her away either.
Stephanie's throat felt dry. Her heart pounded, not from jealousy, but from betrayal.
How could he?
The same man who had kissed her senseless, the man who had cradled her in his arms like she meant something—more than something. The man who had looked at her like she was the only woman in the world. Was it all just a game?
Just a night?
A way to keep her close until her part in his company's deal was done?
She couldn't breathe.
Leo's voice broke through her spiraling thoughts. "Steph, are you okay?"
She blinked, realizing he'd walked into the kitchen with a worried frown.
"I'm fine," she lied, forcing a tight smile.
Leo's eyes narrowed. "You don't look fine. You look like you've been slapped by the entire internet."
Stephanie dropped the phone on the counter. "Have you seen the news?"
Leo picked it up, skimmed the headline, and his expression turned stormy. "That bastard."
Stephanie's lips twitched bitterly. "You don't even know the full story."
"Do I need to? You're clearly hurting, Steph. What happened between you two?"
Before she could answer, Anita emerged from the guest room, already scrolling through her phone. "Oh. My. God. Is this real?"
Stephanie crossed her arms tightly, trying to keep her emotions from spilling out. "Apparently."
Anita clicked her tongue. "Girl, please tell me this is some PR stunt and not your man turning into a tabloid cliché."
Stephanie met her friend's eyes, the pain raw and unhidden. "I don't know anymore, Anita. One minute he was everything—and then this."
Leo grunted. "I'm gonna kill him."
"No, you're not," Stephanie said quietly. "He's not worth it."
Anita stepped closer, wrapping an arm around her. "Steph, listen. I know you're hurt, but you deserve answers. And if he's playing you, you need to walk away with your head high. No drama. Just you showing him what he lost."
Stephanie nodded, but her chest ached.
Meanwhile, across the city, in the top floor of Vosstech Tower, Nathan leaned against his office window, watching the city with narrowed eyes.
"Are the headlines out?" he asked without turning around.
"Yes," Samson replied from behind him, folding his arms. "It's trending."
"Good. That should buy us time."
Samson hesitated. "You do realize this is going to push her away?"
Nathan exhaled. "I know."
"Is it worth it?"
Nathan turned, his jaw set, eyes stormy. "If it keeps Damien and my uncle distracted long enough for us to set the trap, then yes. We can't afford for them to realize how close we are to taking them down."
Samson walked closer, lowering his voice. "But Stephanie—she's not like them. She's not part of the game, Nathan. You pulled her in, and now she's bleeding for your war."
Nathan ran a hand through his hair. "You think I don't know that? You think I didn't see her face this morning? The betrayal in her eyes?"
"So why let her think it's true?"
"Because if she knew the truth, she'd fight beside me. And that's the one thing I can't risk. I already owe her father my life. I won't put hers on the line too."
Samson sighed, nodding. "We intercepted another message between Damien and Victor. They're planning to lure you into a trap at the gala next week."
Nathan's lips curled. "Let them try."
Samson handed him a flash drive. "This is proof of the money laundering. Offshore accounts, shell companies—all of it linked to Damien. With this, we can start freezing their assets and pulling back control."
Nathan pocketed it. "I want you to arrange a silent acquisition of one of the companies they've funneled money through. Make it look like an outside buyer. I want them confused, scrambling."
"Understood."
Nathan moved to his desk, but paused. His hand hovered over the phone.
"Call her," Samson said.
Nathan didn't respond.
"She's strong, Nathan. But even strong women break if they feel alone too long."
"I will," he muttered. "Just not yet."
Back at Stephanie's apartment, Anita was pouring orange juice while Stephanie stared blankly at the floor.
"He could've told me," she whispered. "Whatever this is—whatever game he's playing—he could've trusted me."
Anita handed her a glass and sat beside her. "Maybe he's trying to protect you."
Stephanie looked up sharply. "Protect me? From what?"
Anita hesitated. "I don't know. But think about it. The man doesn't strike me as reckless. If he's doing something stupid, it might be for a reason."
Stephanie wanted to believe that. God, she wanted to. But her heart was splintered between longing and disappointment.
Her phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number.
"I'm sorry. —N"
She stared at it. One word. Just one.
Anita peeked over her shoulder. "That's it?"
Stephanie didn't reply.
In his office, Nathan stared at his own phone, knowing it wouldn't be enough—but not knowing what more he could say without endangering everything.
Just a little longer, he told himself. Then I'll tell her everything.
But time was a luxury they were quickly running out of.