His Lover's Dawn, My Cold Floor

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eve it quietly, I first needed to secure my family' s blessing, especially my grandfather's, the patriarch whose influence rivaled Jerald Cole's. He would understand

scent of jasmine and old wood filled the air as I stepped inside. My grandparents greeted me with their usual warmth

me into a hug. "We rarely see you these days. How's Dayton? Is everything alrig

," I began, my voice soft but firm, "there's something important I need to tell you." I swal

dy and intense. My grandmother gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Sep

for. We've been separated in all but name for three years, living our own lives." I paused, then added, "Kristin's return has j

ry sound. "I see. I had hoped... for better. But a marriage without love is a cage, child.

tely began to fret. "But the merger! And the

d. We' ll present a united front for a few more weeks. After that, we' ll announce a private separation, cit

it. But there is one condition." He looked at me, a shrewd glint in his eyes. "You're a brilliant architect, child. You' ve l

o reconsider. Instead, they offered me a lifeline, a path not just to personal freedom, but professional fulfillment. Th

d, tears prickling at m

ance, and his eyes, usually calculating, lit up when he saw me. "Alyssa! Perfect timing! Grandpa, Grandma, I just finished the updated projections for the

ned. "Donavon, this

you have to talk to Dayton again about those software licenses for the 'Project Phoenix' initiative. He's been dragging his feet. If we can get his back

navon, your cousin has just shared very difficul

ture, Grandma! Alyssa, please, just a word to Dayto

unistic badgering was exactly what Dayton detested. "Donavon, I'll see what I can do," I said, my voice del

his face alight. "That's all

city, felt like a sanctuary. It was my space, unburdened by memories or expectations. I called my assistant first thing the next morning, laying out my pl

heart pounded. Who could it be? I wasn' t expecting anyone. Through the peephole, I saw

sion carefully blank. "Dayto

evoted wife," he said, his voice laced with a familiar mockery. "And to finalize those pesky details a

stepping back to let him in.

space. "The timeline you proposed. I need specific

d, my voice firm. "I need about three months to establish my new firm, and then we can announce the

ch patience. And what about Kristin? Will she be expecting me to whisk her away

I said, my voice sharp. "My concern is fulfilling my obl

he devoted wife. No slip-ups. No whispers. And you will ensure your cousin, Donavon, doesn't try to leverage our 're

ed, my jaw tight. The

paused at the threshold, glancing back

aid, my vo

th an almost deliberate indifference, but I couldn't shake the image of Kristi

ill pushing for the Project Phoenix software licenses. He clearly thinks our 'rec

ttention already elsewhere. Then, I heard it. A soft, almost tender tone in his voice, speaking int

asn't even pretending anymore. I felt the familiar burn behind my eyes, but I refused to let the tears fall

media. The latest post, just an hour ago: a blurry photo of a wilting lily, with the capt

or public appearances, the architect he used for business. Nothing more. The fire of humiliation burned