I entered and slowly closed the door behind me.
The air felt heavy, humming with the silence between us.
I climbed onto the bed, my movements small and deliberate. August didn't look at me; he just nodded once and began arranging his few clothes in the dresser. The faint rustle of fabric and the quiet thud of drawers filled the stillness.
Part of me wanted to call Dad — to ask if he'd been the one who forced him to come — but I decided some things were better left unknown. What I did know was that I was done being the pawn in their game.
I lay down, trying to force myself to sleep, but it wasn't working. Every inch of my body ached from exhaustion, and yet my mind wouldn't stop spinning.
When I stirred again, August had gone to shower. The sound of running water hissed softly behind the bathroom door, mingling with the faint hum of the air conditioner. He came back a few minutes later.
My eyes widened when I saw his bare chest. He was fit — painfully so. For a split second, my thoughts ran wild before I caught myself.
I saw his gaze flick toward the sofa in the corner.
I smiled faintly, following his eyes.
"Like your body would even fit there," I whispered.
He looked at the bed, and our eyes met for the first time that night. I looked away quickly and pulled the blanket over my body.
He climbed onto the bed. The sound of the mattress shifting under his weight filled the silence. Goosebumps rippled across my skin.
That was the first time I'd ever slept on the same bed with a man. Not even Ty.
I wasn't expecting him to share the bed, but realistically, the sofa was too small for his frame.
Soon, after a few restless turns, I drifted off to sleep.
The sound of the alarm clock jolted me awake.
"Ugh," I groaned, rolling onto my side. My body felt heavy, unwilling to move. I buried my face in the pillow before finally forcing myself up.
Then I remembered August.
Just then, he stepped out of the closet, already dressed for work. His shirt was half buttoned, sleeves rolled neatly to his elbows.
"Good morning," he said evenly, fastening his belt. The soft metallic click echoed faintly in the room. Everything about him felt composed — too composed.
Still half asleep, I slumped onto the sofa. "Good morning."
"Can we talk now?" he asked.
I rolled my eyes. "No."
He nodded once, as if he'd expected that. "Whenever you're ready."
Then he grabbed his keys and left for work.
I sighed, dragging myself off the sofa and toward the bathroom. The faint scent of his soap lingered in the air — warm, clean, and unfamiliar. I stepped under the shower, letting the water wash over me until my muscles finally relaxed.
Later, as I sat down to eat, my phone rang.
It was Ty.
I stared at the screen, debating whether to pick up. Then I answered. "What do you want?"
"For us to talk," he said quietly.
I sighed. "Can I not breathe for a day without someone wanting to talk?, I'm busy." I said and hung up abruptly.
I picked up my bag and left.
The elevator was crowded with new tenants. I managed a polite smile and exchanged brief greetings before stepping out into the lobby.
But the moment my eyes adjusted, I froze.
Ty and Tracy were standing in the lobby, talking.
My stomach tightened. Instinct told me to confront them, but there were people around — and I was already late for work.
"What the hell is he doing here too?" I muttered under my breath.
Before I could move, Mrs. May, the complex keeper, appeared beside me. "Ma'am, you weren't here yesterday when the new occupant moved into the second floor," she whispered like it was a secret. "He's right below your penthouse."
My head snapped toward her. "I beg your pardon?"
Tracy laughed softly.
"Bitch" I muttered.
Ty slipped his hands into his pockets, grinning like this was some kind of game.
"We'll be having a small party this weekend to get to know each other better," Mrs. May said cheerfully, pulling two invitation cards from her bag. "I heard you're married. I hope you and your husband will be in attendance."
"Sadly, no. If you'll excuse me, please."
I started to walk away, but Tracy's voice followed, sharp and low.
"Sadly no, because he wouldn't want to be seen as your husband outside of here, right?"
I stopped just long enough to glance back.
"You wish," I said quietly. "Unfortunately, we already have plans for that day."
Her smirk faltered for a second. I hissed softly and walked off, my heels clicking against the marble floor.
At the garage, I got into my car and drove straight to the hospital. On the way, I sent a text to August:
'Let's talk during break.'
If Ty and Tracy thought moving here was a game plan, I'd have to remind them — two could play that game.
My thoughts were scattered all morning.
Later, while drinking coffee with Roxanne, I spotted a familiar face across the cafeteria — Lucinda, one of the nurses from my previous hospital.
"Isn't that Lucinda?" I asked.
Roxanne turned and waved her over.
Lucinda's face lit up despite the exhaustion written all over it. She walked toward us, clutching a file.
"Hi," she said breathlessly. "Thank goodness you guys are here too."
"You look tired. How are you coping here?" I asked.
She laughed weakly. "You have no idea. This hospital is so hectic. I've prepped three surgeries for Dr. Sinclair just this morning."
"Oh, poor you," Roxanne teased. "But I wouldn't complain if it were him — he's so hot."
Lucinda giggled. "Yeah, sure. But wait till you see the anesthesiologist — Dr. Tracy. She was all over him during those surgeries."
My heart dropped, though I tried not to show it.
"Maybe they're dating," Roxanne murmured.
The words made my stomach twist. I pushed my chair back. "I have to go," I said quietly.
By lunch break, August called, asking where we should meet. We met at a quiet restaurant close to the hospital.
"How's your mother?" I asked, stirring my drink.
"She's recovering," he said softly.
I looked away, breathing out slowly. As much as I wanted to stay angry, I knew he'd only been protecting his mother. Somehow, that made it hurt more. If he'd married me for money, it would've been easier.
"I know you had your life planned out with Ty, Maya — and for that, I'm sorry," he said.
I put down my sandwich. If only he knew I never really did. I only agreed to marry Ty to escape Dad's control — the guards who followed me everywhere, the constant watching.
He looked around the restaurant. "I don't see your guards today," he said, scanning the corners like old habits hadn't died. There had always been one or two of them at the university, even while he tutored me.
"Yeah," I said dryly. "One of the reasons I agreed to marry Ty — to get Dad off my neck."
His expression softened — a flicker of something like understanding. Maybe for the first time, he saw through the façade. Maybe he realized that beneath the spoiled girl he'd judged for years was just someone trying to breathe.
His phone alarm rang. He checked the time. "I have an emergency. I have to get back to the hospital," he said, and paid the bills before leaving.
I nodded, even though disappointment burned quietly in my chest.
He left before I could tell him the reason I'd called him here — to tell him Ty had moved just below our penthouse.
I exhaled, ready to leave too, when his phone buzzed on the table.
The screen lit up with a message — from Tracy.
See you tonight.