The next morning sunlight slipped through the tall glass windows of the penthouse, casting soft golden light across the room. Anna was already awake, sitting at the kitchen counter with a cup of coffee in her hands. Her laptop was open, emails flooding her screen faster than she could read them.
Across the room, Oliver walked out of the bedroom, his tie loosely hanging around his neck while he buttoned his shirt. His hair was still slightly messy, giving him that effortless charm Anna had always secretly loved.
He stopped when he noticed her.
"You're working already?" he asked, his voice still rough from sleep.
Anna looked up and smiled faintly. "Someone has to run the company."
Oliver walked closer, placing both hands on the counter beside her, leaning slightly toward her. "You're my wife, not a machine."
"And you're my husband, not my boss," she replied playfully.
For a moment, they just looked at each other.
Oliver reached forward and gently closed her laptop.
"Oliver—"
"No," he said calmly. "Five minutes."
Anna sighed but didn't argue.
Oliver pulled her closer, wrapping one arm around her waist while his other hand brushed a strand of hair away from her face. His gaze softened slightly, though there was still that quiet intensity behind his eyes.
"You barely slept," he said quietly.
"You didn't either."
"That's different."
Anna raised an eyebrow. "You said that yesterday too."
A faint smirk appeared on his lips. "Because it's still true."
He leaned down and pressed a slow, gentle kiss to her forehead. It wasn't rushed or playful like usual. It felt deeper… almost protective.
Anna noticed.
"What's going on?" she asked softly.
"Nothing."
"Oliver."
He looked at her for a long moment before stepping back slightly.
"Just work problems," he said.
Anna wasn't convinced, but before she could ask again, Oliver's phone buzzed on the counter.
The moment he saw the screen, his expression darkened.
He picked up the phone quickly and turned away, answering in a low voice.
Anna couldn't hear everything, but a few words slipped through.
"…I told you to keep watching."
"…don't let him get close to her."
"…call me if anything changes."
Anna frowned.
When Oliver ended the call and turned back, she was already staring at him.
"Watching who?" she asked.
Oliver walked over calmly as if nothing had happened.
"Security," he said simply.
"For what?"
"Business reasons."
Anna crossed her arms. "You're being mysterious again."
Oliver stepped closer until there was barely any space between them. His hand gently rested on her waist as he leaned down slightly.
"Curious?" he murmured.
"Very."
A small, dangerous smile appeared on his face.
"Good."
Anna narrowed her eyes. "That didn't answer my question."
"It wasn't supposed to."
Before she could argue further, he leaned down and kissed her softly, distracting her just long enough to break the tension.
When he pulled away, he whispered quietly near her ear.
"Just trust me."
Anna watched him walk toward the door a few minutes later, his confident stride disappearing into the hallway.
But something about the morning felt different.
Something was coming.
And somewhere in the city, a man stood in a tall office building looking down at the same skyline Oliver had watched the night before.
A slow smile spread across his face as he looked at a photograph in his hand.
A photograph of Anna.
"Let the game begin,"