Elena's PIV
The crack in his ice stayed with me long after the message faded from my screen.
"Your office would be next to mine so I can monitor you and look out for you."
I held the phone to my chest and stared at the ceiling, my lips tugging into a small smile I couldn't stop even if I tried. It wasn't an apology, but it was something. A small breach in the fortress Justin always kept around himself. He didn't say it with flowers or soft words he never would but he said it in the only way he knew how: control disguised as care.
And I would take that.
I drifted to sleep clutching that thought.
The next morning, I woke to a knock.
It wasn't loud or urgent. Just a soft, polite rap against the door. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, pulled on my robe, and padded over to open it.
It was the amazing butler.
"Ma'am, Mr Shawn requests your presence downstairs."
I blinked, still groggy. "Now?"
"Yes, ma'am."
I nodded and shut the door gently. My heart thudded with anticipation.
