AFTER THE HEARTBREAK

or her to unwind and create something special for James after a long day. Tonight, she'd decided to make his favorite-creamy chicken Alfredo with a side of roasted veget

g table, she heard the front door open and Jame

ed in the doorway, looking tired but handsome

oved closer and leaned down to press a soft kiss to her

m playfully. "I'll neve

he two of them sharing a meal, talking about their day, and finding comfort in each other's presenc

break the silence. "James...I ha

, his brow slightly furrowe

as lost, wandering through a dark forest. I kept calling out for you, but you didn't answer. And then, there was this woman-she looked l

d over hers. "Hey, it was just a dream. You're

reassurance. But she couldn't help noticing that, even as he reassure

tudying his expression caref

"Oh, sorry. It's just...a lot on my mind, I

uraging smile. "Do you want to t

ul. "We've been dealing with some complex contrac

ve asked me, you know. My stepbrother Daniel is a lawyer, and he

He cleared his throat, a slight tension tightening his jaw. "I appreciate that, but a

y lingering. "Well, I trust your judgment. Y

eyes. It was unlike him, and it sparked a quiet sense of unease in her chest. She br

he feeling that there was something he wasn't telling her. But then, perhaps she was reading too much into

h her. James joined her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders as they settled into a familiar, comfo

with," she ventured, hoping to li

ly, before he forced a casual tone.

a slight jolt of surprise. She hadn'

t spot on the wall. "She came highly

was nothing more to it than work. But there was something in his tone, a faint edge that left her feel

seemed to close in around her. She could hear faint voices in her sleep, but none were clear enough to understand. Every tim

ettling feelings lingered. She glanced over, hoping to find comfor

on her bedside table. It was thre

house amplifying her anxious thoughts. Just as she reached his study door, sh

y," he was saying. "I don't w