Chapter 120
ERICA
I stood in front of the mirror, tilting my head slightly as Ladjusted the delicate silver clasp of my earring. The morning light spilled through my bedroom window, casting a warm glow across my vanity
Ed kept my makeup minimal–just a touch of mascara and a soft pink tint on my lips. My hair was in soft waves, falling over my shoulders in a way that looked effortless but had actually taken me a solid twenty minutes to get right.
I sighed, smoothing down the front of my dress. It was a simple but elegant wrap dress in a dusty blue shade–comfortable enough for a bridesmaid dress fitting but polished enough to meet the standards for today’s appointment at Sorelle Couture, one of the fanciest bridal boutiques in the city
Aiden wouldn’t have anything but the best for his wife. He had probably had the boutique entirely reserved for the hours.
The thought of spending the next few hours surrounded by silk, lace, and Freya’s indecisiveness was enough to make me want to crawl back into bed. But I had agreed to this, and I did want to be there for her. Even if the idea of standing in a room full of mirrors, wearing dresses someone else picked out, made my skin lich
I reached for my clutch and was just about to check my phone when there was a firm knock on my door.
1 frowned, glancing toward the entrance. Max never knocked. He usually just announced himself through the door, letting me know the car was ready:
“Come in
The door swung open, and Max stepped inside. Except–something was off. His usually calmi, impenetrable expression was nowhere to be found.
His entire face was tense. His jaw was clenched, his hands fidgeting at his sides. His dark eyes, always sharp and calculating, were wide with barely concealed distress.
A tight knot formed in my stomach.
I had never seen Mas this worried before. But now!
“What happened?” I asked my voice steady, even though my pulse had picked up,
He exhaled sharply. “My wife” His voice was rushed, slightly breathless, like he’d just realized the weight of what he was saying. “She’s in labor I – need to be there.”
For a second. I just stared I had been expecting something bad. Something urgent.
But this This was good news
The tersit in my shoulders eased slightly, though my heart still pounded from the way he had burst in like the world was ending.
I stepped forward. “So go. What are you waiting for?”
His hands curled unto fists, kas jaw tightening “But your security-
“Max” I fodded my arms, arching a brow. “Your wife is literally having a baby right now. And you’re standing here?”
Thuced to tall someone che before I-
“stop” I held up a
hup off. “Your wife needs you right now, and you’re wasting time standing in my doorway.
He still hesitated
I stared at lam incredulously. “Max. I’ll be lue Go”
That serioed to any him out of u. His shoulders ugges duly, and he gave ine a slurp grateful used before turning on his heel and belting out
the door
Let out a slow exhale, shaking my head.
For someone as mtimidating as Max could be when it came to my security, he had been completely unprepared for something as monumental as the birth of his own child.
1/2
Chapter 120.
A warmth spread through my chest. I’d never seen him rattled before, but it was almost endearing
Hut now. I was alone.
I glanced at my phone and winced.
Our appointment at Maison Elodie was in ten minutes
Calling Cillian and waiting for him to arrange another bodyguard would take at least twice that long.
1 bir my lip, weighing my options.
I could either stay back and wait–knowing full well that Freya would not forgive me for missing this or I could just… go.
It wasn’t like I needed someone with me.
Dvd 1
A quiet voice in the back of my head reminded me of the flowers. The gifts. The fact that someone had broken into my apartment not too long ago.
But it had been weeks since anything happened.
Nothing had escalated. No more gifts. No more break–ins. Maybe whoever it was had lost Interest. Blissful thinking.
I glanced at my phone, debating whether to text Cillian. It would be the responsible thing to do, wouldn’t it?
Just a simple “Hey, I’m heading out for my dress fitting. Thought you should know.
But the moment my fingers hovered over the keyboard, something inside me froze.
It felt too intimate. Like giving him updates on my whereabouts meant something. Like I was answering to him.
And I didn’t want that.
Cillian wasn’t my keeper. He wasn’t my boss..
Yes, he had insisted on taking over my security when things had started to escalate, but that didn’t mean I owed him real–time updates on my
And honestly, I was tired of feeling like I had to justify every little decision to him.
Flocked my phoor and slipped it into iny bug before I could change my mind.
vas jusí a dress fiting. What the worst that could happen!
I grabbed my keys and walked out the door, my heels clicking against the marble floor as made my way to the car
esterning
Sliding sure the drivers seal, I fastened my seatbelt and took a deep breath. For a brief second, I hesitated, fingers drumming against the
Dud Cillian know Max was gone for his wife’s delivery? Should I have told him? Hos I wasn’t sure how he would react Bite Max’s car off for not following his orders. I definirly didn’t want that for lum
Showing the thought sdr. I started the car, pulled out of the driveway, and drove off–alone-
