When I got back, I could hardly look the shop owner in the eye. The delicate sound of the shredded gown in my hands made me feel guilty. I had ruined it—seven digits worth of luxury, torn apart by a tempest of pride and stress.
"I'm really sorry," I murmured, my voice soft even though I attempted to stand up.
The owner, a beautiful she-wolf with silver hair and a peaceful aura, looked at the dress and then smiled kindly at me. "It's okay, Miss Tillman. You have insurance on the clothing. "They'll handle it."
I blinked. "Really?"
She gave a small nod. "These things happen. It's only a dress. I hope you had a good time last night.
Did you like it? I barely made it through. I nevertheless nodded gratefully and said another quiet "thank you" before leaving the store and stepping out into the chilly night air.
My body hurt from being tired, even though the cab drove through peaceful streets. My arms and legs felt heavy, and my mind was a mess. I just wanted to hug Jared and breathe in his sweet smell till I could forget about everything that occurred tonight. No ripped dress, no Elliott, and no broken pride.
I got home a little after 10. The lights in the living room were still on. When I walked in, I saw Dad sitting on the floor with a toy car in one hand and Jared cuddled up next to him, laughing at something.
"I've come back," I said with a smile. "You can take a break now, Dad."
Dad smiled and glanced up. "Anastasia, your son is smart." Sometimes I forget he's only four. "You've done such a great job with him."
I laughed, but the sound felt empty. The truth was that Jared had always been unique. I hadn't taught him much; he just knew stuff. I only ever loved him and stood by him.
I took a shower when Dad went to his room to get rid of the last bits of the night. When I walked into Jared's room, he was already cuddled up under the covers, and his little body was still warm from playing.
I snuggled in next to him and hugged him. When I kissed his velvety cheek, I felt at peace. "Let's go to sleep now, Jared," I said softly, but he was already asleep, breathing softly and evenly.
I couldn't get any sleep.
Not with the weight on my back.
I bent down and glanced at his face. That small, pretty face I had memorized since I first held him.
And then I stopped.
His jawline, the curvature of his nose, and those lashes. Goddess, even the way his brows pulled together just a little bit while he slept.
My chest got constricted.
Why does he look more and more like Elliot every day?
No. I pushed the thought out of my mind. It had to be a coincidence. People who were good-looking often have some things in common. That was all it was. Jared was just becoming a good-looking young man. That's all.
I still couldn't deny it. I never wanted to remember Elliot, but his shadow stayed on my son's face.
The next day, I called Nigel. I needed to hear a voice that didn't judge me. Someone who reminded me that there is still kindness in this world of claws and power.
I told him everything: how the night went wrong, how the dress tore, and how Elliot took me away like I was still his.
His reaction was quick. "Did you get hurt? "Are you okay, Anastasia?"
I said, "I'm fine," trying not to let my voice shake. "I'm just tired."
He added in a forceful, protective voice, "I'm coming back in a few days." "I'll be there. "I'll keep you safe."
A faint smile pulled at my lips. "Then I'll buy you a meal when you get back."
For now, a friend who picked me without any problems or background felt like the safest place to breathe. Even if just for a second.
"Of course." "By the way, I miss Jared too," Nigel said on the other end of the line, his voice warm and calming.
I laughed softly and said, "He misses you too," as if the sound of it were a soothing blanket. Nigel had a way of making everything seem... less heavy.
Monday arrived quickly, and so did reality. I got up early, and Jared was still snuggled up in his bed like a puppy. I gently left the house so I wouldn't wake him up.
We went to the wash first to pick up Elliot's blazer. The fabric was carefully wrapped in a garment bag, and the smell of his cologne was still faint on it. I gripped the hanger harder with my fingertips. It seemed strange how something so basic could mean so much. That blazer had done more than just keep me warm. It had kept me safe from eyes that wanted to eat me and a night that had gone by too quickly.
When I got back to work, I drank my coffee, answered emails, and tried to think about anything other than the idea that I had to face him again. up the end, I gave up and called his home phone.
"Hello?" came that deep, seductive voice. His presence almost made the line crackle.
"It's Anastasia." I'm coming up now to give you back your blazer. I hung up without waiting for a response.
I knocked once and then went into his office. Elliot sat at his desk, his gaze unreadable and his lines sharp. His eyes pierced me like a knife.
I stepped over and put the bag of clothes on the couch. "I had it cleaned," I remarked in a short voice. "It's just like new."
His jaw got hard, yet his voice was soft, which was dangerous. "That's all?" No, thank you?
I stopped, my heart racing, and then I forced the words out like they were stones in my mouth. "Thanks."
I turned and walked out without waiting for him to say anything else. Even when I closed the door behind me, I could still feel him there.
I hated how he always got my instincts going. My wolf didn't know if it should snarl at him or melt when he looked at it.
Was this really the man his grandmother wanted me to marry?
When I got back to my office, I hardly had time to get comfortable before Grace came in, followed by someone I knew who I didn't expect to see again so soon.
"Miss Tillman, someone is here to see you."
I blinked and looked up. "John?" I didn't think the guy from the show would find me so quickly.
He said, "Miss Tillman, you're really here!" with a lot of excitement. His excitement flooded the room like static.
I hurriedly stood up and smiled politely. "President Curtis... What a shock! "Why are you here?"
He looked at me for a bit, and the way his eyes moved over me made my skin tingle. He looked different, as if he hadn't expected me to look the way I did.
I had been enveloped in silk and stress yesterday. Today, I wore a crisp white blouse tucked into a pencil skirt and pinned my hair back. The outfit I wore now wasn't fancy, but it was strong. It was me in my element.
He said, "I just wanted to see you again."
I kept smiling, but something inside me was tense. It wasn't that I didn't want him there; it was just that I didn't anticipate him to be there. His stare made my wolf twitch nervously beneath the surface, as if it sensed something too eager and too fast.
I pointed to the chair across from my desk and kept things polite. "Do you want some tea?"
And the smell of Elliot's blazer stayed on my skin the whole time.