Morning came too fast.
Nicole barely slept—her brain refusing to shut off after the chaos of last night. Every time she closed her eyes, she replayed the same thing over and over…
Two knocks.
Two men.
One insane agreement.
She rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling like it might give her answers.
It didn't.
So she got up.
⸻
The Estate — Morning Tension
The third floor was quiet, but not peaceful.
It had that sharp quiet—like the house itself was holding its breath.
Nicole slipped into the bathroom and got ready quickly. She kept her look simple on purpose: a fitted white blouse tucked into a high-waisted black skirt, sheer tights, and black heels that made her feel sharp and capable. Her hair was down in thick waves, brushed and glossy, curls framing her face like soft armor.
When she looked in the mirror, she gave herself one strict nod.
Today is about work.
Not boys. Not drama. Not marriage.
She grabbed her laptop bag and stepped out into the hallway.
The second she entered the elevator, she felt the shift.
Because both men were already downstairs.
Waiting.
Of course they were.
⸻
Kitchen — Passive Aggressive Breakfast
Nicole walked into the kitchen and immediately regretted it.
Gu Sean stood near the island, dressed like he walked out of a luxury magazine. Dark tailored suit, crisp white shirt, expensive watch, calm expression… but his jaw was tight.
Xan stood by the coffee machine, equally polished. Gray suit, sleeves perfect, tie straight—but his eyes were sharp, unreadable, like he'd already been bracing for battle.
And in the center of the tension like the unluckiest referee alive—
Alex.
She stood with a tray of breakfast sandwiches and fruit like she was praying no one threw it.
Nicole paused. "Good morning…"
Both men spoke at once.
"Morning."
Alex visibly relaxed when Nicole didn't run away again.
Nicole poured herself coffee, trying to ignore how both Gu Sean and Xan subtly tracked her movements.
Then Gu Sean spoke first, voice calm.
"I'll drive you."
Xan didn't even look up from his coffee. "I already arranged a driver."
Gu Sean's eyes flicked to him, cool but cutting. "She doesn't need two drivers."
Xan's voice stayed smooth. "She doesn't need you deciding what she needs either."
Nicole's fingers tightened around her mug.
Gu Sean took a breath. "Nicole is my wife."
Xan tilted his head slightly. "And she's my colleague."
Gu Sean's eyes darkened. "She's not your responsibility."
Xan's gaze sharpened. "Maybe she wouldn't need another one if you did a better job being one."
Nicole stared straight ahead like she could teleport away.
Alex's eyes darted between them like please don't fight in the kitchen.
Gu Sean turned to Nicole again, voice softer. "I'll take you to work. It's safer."
Xan cut in immediately. "I can take her."
They both looked at her at the same time.
Nicole blinked.
Then slowly set her mug down, expression blank.
"You know what?" she said calmly.
Both men paused.
Nicole grabbed her bag, walked toward the front door, and turned back just enough to smile sweetly.
"I'll Uber."
Gu Sean's brows furrowed. "Nicole—"
Xan's jaw flexed. "That's not—"
Nicole held up a hand. "Rule two. No arguments. And rule three. No jealousy."
Both men fell silent.
Nicole opened the door and walked out like the estate wasn't full of rich men losing their minds over who got to hold her car door open.
As she stepped into the Uber, she let out a long breath.
Finally.
Peace.
The workday passed like a blur.
Nicole barely sat down. Meetings stacked on meetings. Messages came in nonstop. Her team needed approvals, guidance, feedback. Clients were demanding. Deadlines were sharp.
And on top of all that—
The whispers hadn't stopped.
She could feel them every time she walked past groups of employees.
"She's the director's wife."
"She got promoted fast."
"I heard Xan's into her."
"I heard Gu Sean moved Xan into his house."
"No way."
"Yes way."
Nicole kept her face neutral while her blood simmered.
I'm not a rumor. I'm not gossip. I'm a worker.
She finished a department briefing and returned to her office only to find a sleek black envelope sitting on her desk.
Her name was written on it in clean handwriting.
Nicole frowned and opened it.
Inside was a set of keys.
Car keys.
And a card:
Congratulations on your promotion. Your driver will be available anytime.
– Xan
Nicole stared at it like it might bite her.
Then her phone buzzed.
A text from Gu Sean:
I ordered you a car as well. It's parked downstairs.
Nicole's eye twitched.
She stood up so fast her chair rolled back.
"No," she muttered. "Absolutely not."