Chapter 11 I tried to focus on the report on my screen , but the words blurred into each other like watercolors bleeding through wet paper . It was the third time I reread the same paragraph , and still , nothing was sinking in . He kept slipping into my thoughts like sunlight through a cracked window- uninvited , quiet , but impossible to ignore . The way he leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed when he was tired . The subtle rasp in his voice when he called my name . Why did I remember these things ? Why did they matter ? I clicked my pen open and closed for the tenth time , drumming my fingers against the desk . Maybe I was just tired . Or maybe- Youve been staring at that screen like it owes you money , Alice said from the doorway , sipping on her overpriced matcha . I blinked . Huh ? You okay ? Im fine . Just … need a breather . I leaned back in my chair , rubbing the space between my brows . I think I need fresh air or something . Go , Alice said immediately , waving her hand . Ive got the reports for now . Clear your head . I gave her a grateful smile and stood . Youre the best . The park wasnt crowded . The spring breeze was soft , rustling through the trees and making the leaves whisper secrets . I didnt take my phone . I didnt want the world . Just … quiet . Each step on the paved trail felt lighter , like the tension in my shoulders was finally unwinding . I sat on a bench under a tree . The sun filtered through the branches in slivers of gold , warming my skin . I closed my eyes . And of course , he was there again . Rozen , with his stiff suits and soft eyes . Rozen , with his maddening silence and unexpected care . I remembered the time he handed me an umbrella in the middle of a downpour no words , just held it out as if hed been watching the whole time . I remembered his fingers brushing mine as he passed me the remote during one of our silent nights . Neither of us said a word , but I felt it . That tension . That something . I remembered waking up once on the couch after a long day , covered with a blanket I hadnt put on myself . It was him . It had always been him . And maybe , just maybe I was falling . I didnt want to . I wasnt supposed to . That wasnt part of the plan . This was supposed to be clean , detached , no strings . But there I was , sitting under a tree like a lovesick fool , thinking about the man who never L Chapter 11a 2/3 42.7 % 19:25 FTL 18 API , Ger Duttnere i wds , truly let me into his heart . I didnt even realize how much time passed until the sky began to dim and the breeze turned cooler . I reached into my bag out of instinct for my phone , Nothing . Panic flared for a second before I remembered I had left it in the office , Great . When I returned to the office , slightly breathless from the walk , the last thing I expected to see was him standing in the lobby . He looked like a storm barely contained in a suit . His tie was loose , his hair slightly disheveled , and his jaw clenched . Our eyes met . He marched toward me . Where the hell have you been ? I froze . What- Why werent you answering your phone ? My throat dried . I … I left it . At the office . He exhaled sharply . You left it ? Without telling anyone where you went ? I just needed some air . I wasnt expecting to be gone that long . You couldve said something . I didnt think it mattered . He took a step closer , his voice low but seething . You made me fucking worried . I blinked . His eyes werent angry . Not really . They were scared . Rozen … He looked away , running a hand through his hair . Im sorry , he muttered , and before I could say anything else , he turned and walked straight out the door . I stood there , stunned . What … just happened ? Uh , should I knock ? Alice said , stepping into my office behind me . I turned slowly . You saw that ? Oh yeah . She grinned , walking over and setting a folder on my desk . He came here earlier . Said he wanted to surprise you . Brought coffee and everything . What ? Yeah . You werent here . Your phone was still on your desk , your bag half open . He thought something happened . Nearly hired a search party . I sank into my chair , speechless . Alice chuckled softly larming if you still think that mans not in love with you woll- Chanter 11 3/3 44.0 % 60 % 19:25 Fr , 18 Apr Yeah . You werent here . Your phone was still on your desk , your bag half open . He thought something happened . Nearly hired a search party . I sank into my chair , speechless . Ин Alice chuckled softly . Jasmine … if you still think that mans not in love with you , well- She gestured dramatically . Im not buying it . Not anymore . I opened my mouth to respond . Nothing came out . Was he ? Was Rozen in love with me ? The same man who carried silence like armor ? Who refused to speak about the past , about her the woman in the painting ? But today … today he looked at me like I was the only one in the room . And maybe , for a fleeting second , I let myself wonder . What if ? 19:25 F , 18 Apr 60 % Chapter 12 Audrey's biggest regret? A one-night stand with Floyd, her secret love for eight years. Despite his arranged marriage and his family's troubles, he kept rescuing her. She thought she was just a fling,...