Page 6 of The Broken Keys

But I can’t bring myself to care about appearances right now. I need to leave before the tenderness in his gaze makes me forget all the reasons this is complicated.

“You don’t have to thank me for taking care of you.” His voice has that rough morning quality that used to make my knees weak when we were together.

“Yes, I do.”

“Lily…” He’s standing next to the bed, sweatpants low on his hips, looking rumpled and dangerously good in the morning light streaming through his windows. “It’s what you do for people you love.”

I freeze with my clothes clutched against my chest.What am I supposed to say to that?

He approaches me with caution. “You know that’s what this is, right? What it’s always been?”

“I have a million things to do today.” I pull the sweater over his T-shirt. “There’s this deal I need to follow up with, meetings, and contracts?—”

“Hey, it’s okay. I get it.” The tenderness in his voice stops me cold. “Call me later? Let me know how everything goes?”

I nod because it’s easier than explaining why the thought of him waiting for my call makes my heart feel like it’s cracking in two. “I’ll try.”

Something gentle flickers between us.

“And Callum? You can always text me. Even if it’s just to say hello. I like seeing your name come up with something kind following it. It’s comforting to me.”

The smile that spreads across his face is soft and genuine, like I’ve just given him something precious.

He kisses my cheek. “Drive safe. Text me when you get wherever you’re going so I know you made it.”

“Of course.” I grab the rest of my belongings and bolt to my car.

The drive to Malibu feels endless; my mind replaying last night’s devastating discovery.

The Membership Interest Assignment and Transfer Agreement giving me Jax’s ocean-side oasis, along with his motivational quotes that feel like salt in an open wound, are only the beginning.

Worse is how I crumbled completely and ran straight to the one person I shouldn’t have. I don’t want to mislead Callum.

The beach house looks exactly the same as when I left for my office yesterday, but everything is different. Because now I know it’s entirely mine.

Not his.

Not ours.

Mine.

A consolation prize I never asked for, signed over without my knowledge, like I’m some charity case he needed to take care of before moving on with his life. I’m absolutely heartbroken.

I shower quickly, washing away the night and armoring myself for the day ahead. Black dress, red lipstick, and heels that click with authority. My war gear for battles I’m not sure I'm ready to fight.

It takes me nearly two hours to get to my office. It’s buzzing with energy when I arrive. Ella, my chief operating officer, practically launches herself at me the moment I step into the entrance of my studio.

“He said yes!” She bounces on her toes like she’s won the lottery. “Mr. Chen’s people called an hour ago. They want to move forward with the partnership. Full terms, exactly as negotiated.”

It hits me like a physical force. I’ve been working on this deal for almost a year. So many sleepless nights, carefully crafted presentations, negotiations that felt impossible, and all of it has led to this moment.

“Are you sure?” My question comes out strangled.

“I’m sure.” Ella beams at me, eyes bright with shared victory. “They’re sending over the final contracts this afternoon.”

Marcus Chen.TheMarcus Chen wants to partner with my company. He wants to take Lehlani Rose Designs international. He wants to invest in something I built from nothing but dreams and stubborn determination.

Without thinking, I reach for my phone to call Jax. I want to share this moment with the man who taught me to dream bigger than my fears. The man who pushed me to take risks that felt impossible.