Lilith’s Pov
I stomped up the stairs, sulking like a grumpy child denied candy. My chest ached with irritation. I really, really wanted to go to that book club. Like, really badly. I had been looking forward to it, reading, talking about books, escaping for once. But no… Killian just had to pull the husband card.
And for what? Because I was going with Nolan?
Oh, please.
So now he’s suddenly the overprotective husband? Acting like he has a problem with it, but instead of saying it straight, he’s playing power games. Ugh. I threw open my closet with unnecessary force, yanked out clothes, changed quickly, all the while asking myself: What am I even doing with Killian?
All he ever does is command, insult, say hot–and–cold things that mess with my head. Nolan, at least, listens. Makes me feel seen. Comforted. Human.
I dressed fast and headed back downstairs. Killian was sitting there on his phone, looking as detached as ever. Tapping and scrolling like he didn’t just ruin my morning.
“I’m ready,” I said stiffly.
He didn’t even look up. “You don’t look ready.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What do you mean by that?”
He finally turned, face unreadable, and then suddenly, he smiled. “Put this on your face, wife, so you’ll look ravishing.”
My jaw tightened. “I don’t have time for this. Let’s just go.”
But of course, he didn’t listen. He stood up slowly and walked toward me, like he was about to deliver some soul–stirring declaration. Instead, he slipped a finger under my chin, lifting it gently but firmly.
“I said,” he repeated, softer now with a little smile, “put this on your face.”
I rolled my eyes, forced the fakest, most sarcastic smile I could muster and said, “Happy now? I’ve smiled. Can we go?”
He exhaled a small chuckle and shook his head. “Let’s go.”
Out the door, into the car.
He sat close to the window, still glued to his phone, not sparing me a glance. I stared out the other side, arms crossed, the silence in the car thicker than the tension between us.
We reached the office soon enough.
As I stepped out of the car, my eyes lifted, and stayed lifted.
The building was… wow,
Luxurious. Grand. Walls of tinted glass that glimmered in the sunlight, like a monument built of ambition and endless money. The first time I came here, I didn’t notice any of this. I was too heartbroken, too panicked. But now, with clearer eyes, I could finally appreciate the beauty.
It was breathtaking. And, I hate to admit it, but I was really proud of him. Killian built something remarkable. Not that I’d ever tell him to his face, not with how he acts.
I couldn’t even decide which was more stunning–Killian’s building or Nolan’s.
We walked in. Killian led the way. I followed, no longer rushing, no longer hiding. The workers greeted him, politely and respectfully. A few turned their eyes to me and offered kind smiles. They greeted me too. Mrs. Williams, they said. I nodded. back, saying nothing but taking it all in.
When we reached the elevator, Killian pressed the button and stepped in. I followed, eyes watching the numbers light up.
“You’ll stay in my office,” he said calmly, “while I finish up with the board meeting. I won’t be long.”
I crossed my arms. “Then why did you drag me along in the first place?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Will you miss my brooding?”
I scoffed. “That’s not the point. I could’ve gone to the book club with Nolan.”
He looked at me, something flickering in his eyes. “You know I’m best friends with my brother. My wife going off with him like that–it’s weird. And anything I say, you do.”
Oh, hell no.
I turned to him fully, chin up. “It’s not about what you say. I didn’t follow you here because I had to. I followed you because I chose to. Don’t twist it in your head.”
He didn’t reply. Just stared.
Then–ding–the elevator doors opened.
The moment we stepped out of the elevator, I followed behind Killian, half sulking, half distracted by the lavish details of this ridiculously luxurious building. But the real shock hit me when he opened the door to his office.
My jaw actually dropped.
The room was huge. Like, unnecessarily huge. And stupidly fine. Rich wood floors, black marble desk, modern art on the walls, and a glass wall that stretched from end to end, showing the skyline in full glory. It was straight out of a billionaire fantasy novel.
“Sit,” Killian said, walking over to a shelf and grabbing some documents. “I’ll be a few minutes. If you get bored, press that button.” He pointed at a sleek little button on the desk. “There’s a small lounge connected to this office. Should keep you entertained.”
I blinked. A lounge? Inside an office?
My dad had money, sure. But this? This was a different level. I walked over to the glass window, placing a palm lightly against it. I could see nearly the entire city–skyscrapers stretching like silver needles into the sky, cars that looked like ants below. It was beautiful. Unbelievably beautiful.
After a few minutes of shuffling papers and adjusting his cufflinks like some drama king, Killian turned to me.
“I’m heading to the boardroom. Be back soon.”
I just nodded. “Alright.”
Once he was gone, the silence felt almost comforting. I sank into the chair and just… sat. Letting the quiet wrap around me.
Eventually, I wandered over to the giant glass wall again, and that’s when I spotted it
Dowery the block, across the street, was a cake shop That cake shop.
My favorite one. I hadn’t seen it in forever, and they had the cake I hadn’t had in years. That perfect vanilla–salted caramel combination that tasted like actual joy
I couldn’t help myself.
I texted Killian a quick stepping out for a sec, (not that he’d check it), grabbed my purse, and headed down
The shop was warm, cozy, and smelled like melted sugar and happiness. I ordered the cake, and the woman behind the counter smiled.
“Excellent choice,” she said. “It’s our bestseller.”
I smiled back. “It’s my favorite.”
I took my slice and sat at a small corner table by the window, savoring the moment. The soft clink of plates, the gentle hum of conversation–everything felt peaceful for the first time all day.
And then… it changed.
A man slid into the seat across from me, uninvited.
“Hey,” he said, flashing a grin. “I’m David.”
I blinked, startled. “Um. Lilith.”
“No,” he said, shaking his head. “You can’t just do that”
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