The morning light streamed through the curtains of Lila’s bedroom, casting a golden glow over her as she stirred awake. The memory of the previous night lingered like a warm, fragile bubble, but as consciousness fully returned, so did the doubts. She ran her fingers over her lips, remembering the way Rhys had kissed her, the way his arms had wrapped around her as if he could protect her from the world. It had felt perfect. Too perfect.

Her chest tightened as old fears resurfaced. Could she trust him? Could she trust herself? The wounds Julian had left were long-healed scars, but they still itched, especially now that she was opening herself up to someone new. The thought of being vulnerable again terrified her.

With a sigh, she pushed the covers off and made her way to the kitchen. The faint aroma of coffee greeted her, and she paused, confused. Rhys stood by her counter, wearing one of her aprons and looking entirely out of place yet effortlessly charming. He turned, a boyish grin lighting up his face.

“Morning,” he said, holding up a steaming cup of coffee. “I thought I’d take a shot at being a decent house guest.”

Lila couldn’t help but smile, her heart fluttering despite her worries. “You’re dangerously close to spoiling me,” she teased, taking the mug from his outstretched hand.

“Well, someone should,” Rhys replied, his tone playful but carrying an undercurrent of sincerity.

For a moment, they sipped their coffee in comfortable silence, but the weight of the unspoken loomed between them. Rhys was the first to break it.

“I got a call this morning,” he began, his voice careful. “The producers want me in London earlier than expected. There’s a press event they want me to attend.”

Lila stilled, the warmth of the coffee in her hands suddenly feeling distant. “When?” she asked, keeping her tone neutral.

“In a few days,” he admitted, watching her closely.

“That’s… exciting,” she managed, forcing a smile. “It’s a big opportunity.”

“It is,” Rhys said, his voice soft. “But it means less time here. Less time with you.”

Her smile faltered, but she quickly masked it. “We’ll figure it out,” she said lightly, even as her stomach twisted. “I don’t want to hold you back.”

Rhys reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You’re not holding me back, Lila. You’re… grounding me.”

His words were a balm to her insecurities, but they didn’t erase them. She nodded, not trusting herself to speak, and excused herself to get ready for the day. As she stood under the shower’s spray, she wondered if she could truly handle this—falling for someone whose world was so different from hers, whose life seemed destined to pull him away.

---

Later that afternoon, as Lila was sorting through work emails, an unexpected invitation popped into her inbox. It was for an exclusive art gallery opening that evening, hosted by someone she recognized from her past. The name on the invitation made her stomach drop: an acquaintance of Julian and Elara. The message felt pointed, as though it wasn’t just an invitation but a trap.

Still, she couldn’t refuse. The gallery owner was influential in the art world, and her presence could help solidify her professional standing. She dressed carefully, opting for a sleek black gown that exuded confidence. If she was going to walk into a lion’s den, she would do it on her terms.

---

The gallery was an opulent space, its high ceilings and marble floors gleaming under the soft glow of crystal chandeliers. Guests milled about, sipping champagne and admiring the curated pieces on display. Lila entered with her head held high, refusing to let the unease in her chest show.

As she made her way through the crowd, she spotted Kieran Blake near a group of collectors, his sharp suit and polished demeanor standing out even in the glamorous crowd. His presence didn’t surprise her entirely—his family was deeply connected to the art world, and events like these were familiar territory for him.

Kieran caught her eye and made his way over, his expression warm. “Lila,” he greeted her, a note of genuine surprise in his tone. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”

“Likewise,” Lila replied, relaxing slightly. “Let me guess—your parents insisted you make an appearance?”

He chuckled. “Something like that. You know how these events are. Smile, network, and avoid offending anyone important.”

Lila smirked. “Sounds about right.”

Kieran tilted his head, studying her carefully. “But I imagine it’s more personal for you. Your family’s name carries weight in places like this.”

Lila’s smile faltered, but she quickly recovered. “It does,” she admitted. “Which is why I couldn’t exactly skip this.”

“Well,” Kieran said, his voice softening, “if you need a buffer from the vultures, you know where to find me.”

---

As Lila moved through the gallery, the tension in the air became palpable. Whispers followed her, subtle glances cast her way. She caught snippets of conversation, fragments of rumors that had clearly originated from Elara.

“Isn’t she dating that actor? Rhys Davies?”

“Apparently, she’s using him for attention. Typical social climber.”

Lila’s hands clenched into fists, her nails biting into her palms. She stopped by a display, pretending to admire the art as she steadied her breathing. The whispers grew louder in her mind, threatening to unravel her carefully built composure.

A woman’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “Lila Hayes, isn’t it?”

Lila turned to see a woman in a tailored emerald dress, her smile sharp and assessing. She recognized her as one of Elara’s friends.

“Yes,” Lila replied coolly. “And you are?”

The woman’s smile widened. “Just someone curious about how you manage to keep such… interesting company. Rhys Davies, for example. Quite the catch.”

Lila’s jaw tightened. “If you have something to say, I’d prefer you say it directly.”

“Oh, no offense meant,” the woman said airily, though her tone dripped with insincerity. “It’s just fascinating how quickly you’ve… risen, socially speaking.”

Before Lila could respond, a familiar voice cut through the tension.

“That’s enough.”

Lila turned, relief flooding her as Kieran stepped forward. His tall, commanding presence was a stark contrast to the woman’s haughty demeanor. His dark eyes held a quiet authority that immediately silenced her.

“Lila doesn’t need to justify herself to anyone, least of all someone who thrives on spreading baseless gossip,” Kieran said calmly, his tone carrying a sharp edge.

The woman faltered, her confidence crumbling under his gaze. She muttered something unintelligible before quickly retreating.

Kieran turned to Lila, his expression softening. “You okay?”

“Yes,” she said, though her voice was shakier than she’d like. “Thank you.”

“You don’t deserve this,” Kieran said firmly. “And if Elara’s behind it, I won’t stand for it.”

---

That evening, as Lila reached her apartment building, she spotted Kieran waiting near the entrance.

“Kieran?” she asked, surprised.

He turned, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. “Hey. Small world, huh? Turns out I just moved into the apartment next to yours.”

Lila blinked. “You’re kidding.”

“Not at all,” Kieran said, holding up a key as proof. “I was going to say hi sooner, but… well, tonight felt like enough excitement.”

Lila laughed softly despite herself. “It’s… unexpected, but nice to have a friendly face nearby.”

“Likewise,” Kieran said warmly. Then, his expression turned serious. “If you ever need anything—anything at all—don’t hesitate to knock. I mean it, Lila.”

“Thanks, Kieran,” she said sincerely. “That means a lot.”

As they parted ways, Lila entered her apartment feeling both comforted and uneasy. Her phone buzzed with a message, and her heart sank as she read Julian’s name on the screen.

“Lila, you think you know Rhys Davies, but you don’t. Ask him about his past. You deserve the truth.”

She stared at the text, her thoughts swirling. Doubt crept in, but she forced herself to put the phone down. Rhys was likely at the press event. She didn’t want to interrupt—or show her own uncertainty. Instead, she pushed the thought aside, though the shadow of Julian’s words lingered.