Mira's POV
Did you kill my grandmother?
The words hung in the air like poison.
Ryder's face went from pale to grey. What? No! Mira, I would never
Then why does someone think you did?
I don't know! This is He ran his hands through his hair. Someone's messing with you. With us. These texts, they're trying to turn you against me.
Maybe I should be turned against you! You own my law firm! You've been buying pieces of my life like I'm some kind of
The doorbell rang.
We both froze.
Expecting someone? Ryder asked.
No.
The bell rang again. Then someone knocked. Hard.
Mira! A voice through the door. A voice I knew too well. I know you're in there. Open up.
Marcus.
My ex-fiancé was at my door.
Don't answer it, Ryder said immediately.
It's my apartment. I'll answer if I want.
He doesn't deserve your time.
And you do? I shot back. The man who's been secretly controlling my career?
Guilt flashed across Ryder's face.
The knocking got louder. MIRA! We need to talk!
Against my better judgment, I walked to the door. Ryder followed close behind.
I opened it.
Marcus stood there holding roses. Red roses. The expensive kind.
He smiled. That charming smile that used to make my heart flutter. Now it just made me sick.
Hi, sweetheart, he said, like nothing had happened. Like he hadn't destroyed my life two days ago.
Don't call me that. My voice was ice.
Can I come in? We need to talk.
No.
Mira, please. I made a mistake. He held out the flowers. The pregnancy it was an accident. Vanessa and I, we got caught up in the moment, but it doesn't mean anything. You're the one I really love.
I stared at him. Was he serious?
You announced your love for my stepsister in front of two hundred people, I said slowly. You humiliated me. You destroyed everything. And now you think flowers fix it?
I panicked! Marcus stepped closer. The pregnancy scared me. I didn't know what to do. But I've had time to think, and I realize you're the one I want to marry. Not Vanessa. You.
Too bad. A hand landed on my shoulder. Warm. Protective. Ryder's hand. She's not interested.
Marcus's eyes narrowed. Who the hell are you?
Someone who actually cares about her, Ryder said calmly.
Oh. Marcus's laugh was cold. Oh, this is perfect. You already moved on. What, you had him waiting in the wings? Maybe I wasn't the only one cheating.
Rage flooded through me. How DARE you
Is that why you're being so cold? Marcus ignored me, talking to Ryder now. Did she promise you something? Because let me tell you, she's not worth the trouble. Frigid. Boring. Probably hasn't even
Leave. Ryder's voice dropped. Dangerous. Now.
Or what? Marcus puffed up his chest. You'll make me? This is her apartment, not yours. I have just as much right
Actually, you don't. Ryder stepped forward. He was taller than Marcus. Broader. This building has security. Want me to call them? Or do you want to leave with your dignity intact?
Marcus looked between us. His face turned red.
This isn't over, Mira, he said. You're making a huge mistake. I'm offering you everything back. Your job. Your life. Your status. You throw that away for this... this nobody, and you'll regret it.
He owns the building, I said. The words came out before I could stop them. And your law firm. So who's the nobody?
Marcus went white.
Ryder's hand tightened on my shoulder. Warning me. But I didn't care.
That's right, I continued. Ryder Kingsley. Billionaire. CEO. The man who signs your pay checks. Still feel superior?
Marcus looked at Ryder. Really looked. Recognition dawned.
You, he whispered. You're... oh God. You're Kingsley.
I am.
And you're... you and Mira are...
Roommates, Ryder said. For now.
The way he said for now sent electricity down my spine.
Marcus backed away. This is insane. Mira, when you come to your senses, call me. But don't wait too long. I won't wait forever.
He dropped the roses on the hallway floor and left.
Ryder closed the door.
We stood there in silence.
Then I started shaking.
My hands. My legs. My whole body.
Hey. Ryder turned me to face him. He's gone. You're safe.
I didn't need you to save me, I said. But my voice was shaking too. I could have handled him.
I know you could have.
Then why did you
Because watching him talk to you like that made me want to throw him down the stairs.
The honesty in his voice shocked me.
You can't do that, I said. You can't just... just take over. This is my life. My problems. I need to handle them.
You're right.
Iwait, what?
You're right, Ryder repeated. I overstepped. I'm sorry. It's just... He ran his hand through his hair again. A nervous gesture. When I see someone hurting you, I can't just stand there.
Why not? You don't even My voice cracked. You don't even know me.
I know enough.
That's not an answer!
It's the only one I can give you right now.
Because of the thirty days.
Because you're not ready to hear it yet.
I wanted to yell at him. To demand answers. To make him explain everythingthe painting, the building, my grandmother, all of it.
But I was so tired.
And Marcus's words kept echoing in my head.
Frigid. Boring.
Was that what he really thought? The whole time we were together?
The tears came without warning.
One second I was fine. The next, I was sobbing.
Mira
Don't. I held up a hand. Don't say anything. Just... just give me a minute.
But Ryder didn't give me a minute.
He pulled me into a hug.
And I let him.
His arms wrapped around me. Strong. Steady. Safe.
I cried into his chest while he held me. Didn't say anything. Didn't tell me to stop. Just... held me.
It felt good.
Too good.
Dangerous good.
I hate this, I mumbled into his shirt.
I know.
I hate that Marcus thinks he can just show up. I hate that everyone's talking about me. I hate that my dad chose Vanessa. I hate that my life fell apart.
I know.
And I hate that you're being nice to me when I don't understand why.
His arms tightened. That one I can explain.
Then do it.
Because you deserve kindness. Simple as that.
I pulled back. Looked up at him.
His grey eyes were soft. Gentle. Looking at me like I was something precious.
Nothing about this is simple, I said.
No, he agreed. It's not.
Are you going to tell me the truth? All of it?
Eventually.
When?
When you're ready to believe it.
That's not fair.
Life isn't fair, Mira. But I'm trying to make yours a little easier.
By controlling it?
He flinched. That wasn't... I didn't mean to control. I meant to protect.
It's the same thing.
It's not. Control is about power. Protection is about care.
How do I know which one you're doing?
Ryder's hands were still on my arms. Warm. Gentle.
Ask me to leave, he said quietly.
What?
Right now. Ask me to leave. I will. I'll tear up the lease, walk out, never bother you again. You get the apartment. I disappear. Ask me.
I opened my mouth.
The words wouldn't come.
Because I didn't want him to leave.
I hated that I didn't want him to leave.
See? Ryder said softly. You have the power. You've always had it. I'm only here because you're letting me stay.
That's not
My phone buzzed.
We both looked at it.
Unknown: He's lying again. The meeting tomorrow isn't about protecting you. It's about buying you. He's going to offer the partners money to fire Marcus instead. To clear the way. Ask him what he gets in return. Ask him what he really wants.
I looked up at Ryder. The meeting tomorrow. What are you planning?
His jaw tightened.
Tell me the truth, I demanded. Are you going to try to get Marcus fired?
Yes.
At least he was honest.
Why?
Because he hurt you. Because he doesn't deserve to keep his job while you lose yours.
It's my battle to fight!
I know.
Then why
Because I can't help it! The words burst out of him. I can't watch you suffer when I have the power to stop it. I can't stand by while people hurt you. I can't He stopped. Took a breath. I care too much.
You don't know me well enough to care this much.
That's where you're wrong.
Then explain it! Make me understand!
Ryder looked at me for a long moment.
Then he said something that changed everything.
I've been in love with you for five years.
The world stopped.
What?
Five years. Since the gallery. Since I saw you talk about your art like it was magic. I fell in love with you that day and I never stopped.
I couldn't breathe.
That's... that's insane.
I know.
You can't love someone you don't know.
And yet I do.
This is I backed away from him. This is stalking. This is obsession.
Maybe. He didn't follow me. Just stood there. But it's also the truth. Everything I've donethe building, the firm, being here it's because I love you. And I wanted to give you a soft place to land when everything fell apart.
How did you know it would fall apart?
Your grandmother told me. She knew Marcus wasn't right for you. She knew your dad was emotionally absent. She knew you were burying yourself. And she made me promise that when you needed help, I'd be there.
So this whole thing
Is me keeping a promise to a dying woman. And to myself.
Tears streamed down my face. You can't just say things like that.
Why not? It's true.
Because it's too much! It's too big! I can't
My phone rang.
Jade. Finally.
I answered. Jade, I
The meeting, she said breathlessly. I got more information. Marcus isn't trying to fire you. He's trying to force you to quit by making work hell. But if you show up tomorrow, Ryder's going to
I know. He told me.
He did?
He told me everything. About being in love with me. About the five years. About
Wait, WHAT? He's in love with you?
Apparently.
Mira. Jade's voice got serious. Listen to me very carefully. Someone is going to die tomorrow at that meeting.
My blood froze. What?
Not literally die. But someone's career is ending. Marcus's or yours. And whoever wins controls what happens next. You need to decide right now do you fight for yourself, or do you let Ryder fight for you?
Because here's the thing, Jade continued. If you let him fight, you prove everyone right. That you're weak. That you need a man to save you. But if you fight yourself, you might lose everything. So choose. Fast.
She hung up.
I looked at Ryder.
He looked back.
What's it going to be? he asked quietly. Do you fight tomorrow? Or do I?
And I realized this wasn't just about a job.
It was about who I was going to become.
The woman who needed saving?
Or the woman who saved herself?