LOVE BEYOND WEALTH

. Her sleek, luxury sedan wasn't built for this kind of weather-or this kind of neighborhood. The engine sputtered, and the lights on her dashboard blinked in warning

ed clothes and the keys in her hand. "My car broke down," she said, her voice tight. "I need it fixed."Alex didn't move, just raised an eyebrow. "Kind of late for a repair. ""Do you have hours or not?" Ellie shot back, her patience fraying. "Look, I'll pay whatever it takes. Just get it running again. "Alex's lips twitched, a hint of a smirk playing there. "Money's not the issue. It's the time. You're lucky I'm still here. "Ellie bristled, unused to the bluntness. She was used to deference, to service with a smile. But Alex didn't seem impressed by her tailored coat or expensive shoes. "Fine," he sighed, pushing off from the truck. "Let's see what we're dealing with. "As they walked back to her car, the tension between them was palpable. Ellie wrapped her coat tighter around herself, feeling strangely out of place in a way she hadn't in a long time. Alex, on the other hand, moved with the ease of someon

gritty space, every fiber of her being out of place. Alex moved around the shop, locking up tools, rolling down the heavy garage door, all while barely acknowledging her. Ellie pulled out her phone, hoping to distract herself, but there was still no signal. She sighed, tossing it onto the table in frustration. She hated feeling stuck, and this night had turned into one long exercise in patience-something she wasn't particularly good at.As Alex finished up, he glanced her way. "You'll be able to grab a ride from here in the morning. I can get the part ordered first thing." Ellie scoffed, running a hand through her damp hair. "In the morning? You think I'm going to sleep here? "She gestured around the shop, disbelief coloring her tone. "I've got an extra cot in the back," he replied nonchalantly, like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Or you can call someone to pick you up. Your choice. "Ellie blinked at him, thrown by the offer. "A cot?" She could hardly imagine spending the night in this grimy garage, the distant sound of rain drumming on the roof. Alex shrugged again, his expression unreadable. "It's that or the street. Up to you." Her instinct was to argue, to insist on something more comfortable, more fitting for someone like her. But something about the calm, no-nonsense way he said it made her pause. He wasn't being rude; he was just being...real. In this moment, the world she was used to seemed so far away, and here, there were no shortcuts, no quick fixes. She was at his mercy, and he wasn't giving her any special treatment. "Fine," she relented, the fight draining out of her. "I'll take the cot. ""Su