Chapter 14: Cracks in the Armor
The morning after the garden encounter, Jenna awoke with a restless heart. The weight of Richard's gaze and Diana's smirk lingered, a shadow she couldn't shake. Determined to reclaim some control, she focused on her jewelry designs, carefully sketching new pieces for her store with Laila. Each stroke of her pencil was an act of defiance — proof that she would not be sidelined in a world that seemed intent on reminding her of her collateral status.
Richard, meanwhile, moved through his mansion with a restrained fury. Diana's intrusion had left him unsettled. He had watched Jenna in the garden, her careful movements, the way she clutched the pendant. He hated the jealousy rising within him. He hated that her every gesture, so small and natural, could unsettle him. And yet, beneath that frustration, there was a faint warmth, a recognition of her courage and grace.
By afternoon, he found himself in her workspace unannounced. Jenna froze as he entered, his presence commanding yet restrained. "I need your help," he said curtly, gesturing to a blank design board. "I want something for my mother — a gift that's personal, meaningful. And I don't know what she'll like."
Jenna hesitated, then nodded. She set aside her sketches and examined the materials laid before her. As they worked side by side, a quiet tension hung between them. Richard's occasional instructions were clipped, but there was a softness, an unspoken acknowledgment of her talent that made her heart ache.
Outside the studio, Diana lingered, pretending casual interest while quietly plotting her next move. She whispered half-truths to the staff, ensuring her presence would continue to gnaw at Richard's attention and Jenna's confidence.
Hours later, Richard finally left, his steps reluctant. Jenna exhaled, her chest heavy with unspoken emotions. The cracks in his armor were visible now, and she couldn't help but notice that he wasn't entirely the ruthless, untouchable man he pretended to be.