I got out of bed as slowly as possible the next morning , trying not to make a sound . Rick was still asleep , his face turned toward the window , his breathing steady and quiet . The sheet had slipped low around his waist . I didn't let myself look too long . I moved carefully around the edge of the bed , picking up my clothes from the chair , grabbing the towel that had fallen near the bathroom door . I didn't turn on the overhead lights . Just the soft wall light by the vanity . I showered fast , kept my movements quiet , folded the towel neatly when I was done . I changed into jeans and a soft cream top I'd packed , brushed my hair , and stood in front of the mirror just staring at myself . There was nothing to be awkward about . I told myself that over and over . We were adults . I needed the release . He gave it to me . It wasn't the first time he'd done that for me , even if he didn't remember . This wasn't new , only the context was . I stepped out of the bathroom and glanced his way again . Still asleep . I grabbed my bag and sat on the farthest edge of the couch to wait . Eventually , he stirred , stretched and pulled the covers back and got up like it was just another day . No acknowledgment , no tension and nothing . I was already tense . Every step I took beside him felt off - balance , like I was walking too close to a wall . I clutched my bag tighter as we headed down the hall . Then , of course , it slipped from my fingers . The zipper came undone halfway , and everything spilled across the floor . I dropped to my knees instantly , scrambling to gather my things , hoping , praying , he wouldn't react . But I heard his footsteps stop . Then I saw his shoes . Then his hand , calm and steady , pick up the one thing I really didn't want him touching . The black lace lingerie . He didn't even flinch . Just held it between his fingers like it was nothing , dropped it into the bag , and grabbed the rest of the items with me without saying a word . I kept my eyes down . " Has this always made you shy ? " he asked suddenly . His voice was quiet , smooth , but it carried a hint of something smug under all that cold . 1/4 & 8:46 pm ED Chapter 25 55 vouchers I looked up , heart thudding . His face was unreadable and serious , not smiling and not teasing like someone playing around . Just watching me . " You didn't seem this shy last night ." I froze . Why on earth would he still go ahead and bring last night up . He zipped the bag , stood , and walked off like he hadn't said anything at all . I followed him silently down the hall , back to the car . The drive was completely quiet , except for the low hum of the engine and the occasional wave hitting the coast as we pulled away from the estate . I kept glancing at him out of the corner of my eye . He didn't say anything until the third time . " You keep looking at me , " he said , voice flat . My face flushed instantly . I stared straight ahead . " I'm not . " " You are . " I didn't answer . I crossed my arms and pressed my back against the seat , eyes locked on the passing trees . My skin was hot all over . I could feel his smirk even if I didn't look at him again . When we pulled into the driveway , I was already reaching for the handle before the car fully stopped . I stepped out , my heart speeding up as the front door opened . " Mommy ! " Lena's voice rang out and then she was barreling down the steps barefoot in her tiny pink pajamas , hair wild and sticking up in curls . I dropped my bag on the ground and knelt just in time to catch her in my arms . She clung to my neck like a monkey , legs wrapped tight around me . I hugged her close , breathing her in , kissing her head over and over . " I missed you so much , " she said , her little voice muffled in my shirt . " I missed you more , " I whispered . She leaned back , her small face beaming , then turned toward Rick who had just stepped onto the front step . She looked at him curiously for a second , head tilted , and then she launched forward and wrapped her arms around his leg . 2/4 8:46 pm G Chapter 25 Rick froze . I watched , holding my breath . 55 vouchers He looked down like someone had just tossed him a kitten . His mouth parted slightly and he glanced at me like he was waiting for instructions . Lena grinned up at him , " hi , Rick . " His hand lifted awkwardly and hovered over her head before patting her curls once . " Hi , " he said , a little stiffly . She giggled and held tighter . He shifted slightly , clearly out of his element , but he didn't shake her off . His hand lowered again and rested carefully on her shoulder like he was trying not to break her . It was weirdly adorable . I smiled without meaning to . That's when Rick's father stepped into the hall and cleared his throat . " We need to talk , " he said . The moment broke instantly . Rick peeled Lena off his leg gently and gave her a small nudge toward me . She held my hand as we followed his father into the formal sitting room . He stood in front of the fireplace , arms crossed . " The media team handled it , " he said . " We've gotten most of the photos flagged and taken down but it was close . Too close . " I sat straighter . He looked at me directly . " I can't risk something like this happening again . So from now on , you'll be kept under closer watch . " " What does that mean ? " I asked . " It means , " he said , " you'll be working in the family company . Specifically , as Rick's personal secretary . Starting tomorrow . " My stomach dropped . I glanced at Rick . His expression didn't change . No surprise . No disagreement . " Are you serious ? " I asked . " You'll have access to everything . That means less room for … distractions , " he said . " And more control over your schedule . It'll be easier to manage your image . " " I didn't agree to this ." 3/4 8:46 pm Chapter 25 55 vouchers " You agreed when you signed the contract , " he said without missing a beat . " Now this is how we move forward , do your part ." I stared at him , blood pounding in my cars . Rick finally spoke . " We'll figure it out ." His father left the room without another word . I sat there , heart hammering , Lena's tiny hand still wrapped around my fingers . 4/4 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!