Luna's POV
The days following Alexander's confession were both a relief and a challenge. There was a shift in the air between us, something fragile and tentative yet undeniably real. He tried—tried to be more present, more open—but years of emotional distance weren't so easily undone.
Still, I held on to the promise I had made, even as doubt lingered at the edges of my mind.
Ava had gone back home, satisfied that I was on the mend and not completely alone. The house felt quieter without her, though Alexander's presence somehow filled the space in ways I couldn't explain.
I was recovering faster than expected, my body healing even as my emotions remained tangled. Alexander had been attentive, ensuring I had everything I needed, but he still struggled with his words. Actions, however, spoke volumes.
It started with small things—bringing me breakfast without saying a word, staying in the room with me long after I had fallen asleep, and even helping me walk when my legs were too weak to hold me up. He wasn't perfect, and sometimes his frustration with himself showed, but he was trying.
One Week Later
The morning sunlight streamed through the windows of the mansion as I sat by the piano, letting my fingers glide over the keys. It was the first time I had played since the accident, and the familiar melody brought a sense of calm I hadn't felt in weeks.
"Beautiful," a deep voice said, breaking my focus.
I turned to see Alexander standing in the doorway, his suit jacket slung over one shoulder. His expression was softer than I had seen it in a long time, and it made my heart ache.
"Thank you," I said, smiling faintly.
He crossed the room, stopping a few feet away from me. "You're getting stronger."
"I am," I replied, meeting his gaze. "Thanks to you."
His brow furrowed slightly. "You don't have to thank me, Luna."
"But I do," I insisted, standing slowly. "You've been here for me in ways I never expected. Even after everything we've been through."
Alexander stepped closer, his presence overwhelming, but this time, there was no coldness in his approach, only a quiet sincerity. He reached out, placing his hand gently on mine. The simple touch made my heart race, and for a moment, I forgot about all the layers of tension that had built between us over the past months.
"I'm just doing what I should have done from the beginning," he said softly, his voice laced with an emotion I couldn't quite place.
I glanced up at him, my breath catching in my throat. "You don't have to do anything, Alexander. But… I'm grateful that you are."
The weight of his gaze seemed to pierce through me, as if he were trying to read every thought, every hidden fear. It was both comforting and unsettling.
"I've always had a way of pushing people away," he murmured, almost to himself. "I never thought I'd care about anyone the way I care about you."
The words hit me like a wave, and for a moment, I couldn't speak. My mind was a whirl of emotions—confusion, hope, fear—all tangled together. I had never imagined that Alexander would admit such vulnerability, not to me. Not after everything.
"But you don't have to love me, Alexander," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I never asked you to."
His jaw tightened, and he shook his head. "I didn't say I loved you." His tone was firm, almost defensive. "I don't know if I can, not yet. But I can't keep pretending I don't care. Not about you."
The words stung, but I swallowed the hurt. There was no rush for love, especially not in the mess we'd created between us. But there was something real here—something raw and genuine. I just had to learn how to navigate it without getting lost.
A silence fell between us, thick with unspoken words. I looked down at my hands, trying to steady my breathing. After a long beat, Alexander took a step back and cleared his throat.
"You're stronger than I gave you credit for, Luna," he said, his voice shifting back to its usual composed tone. "And I respect that. But don't forget—our agreement is still in place. The month ends soon, and I'll hold up my end of the bargain. No matter what."
I stiffened, the reminder of the contract hanging heavily in the air. I had been so focused on everything else—the accident, my recovery, the unexpected closeness between us—that I had almost forgotten about the terms that had initially bound us together. The thought of the contract ending, of walking away from this strange arrangement, filled me with both dread and relief.
"I won't forget," I said quietly, lifting my gaze to meet his once more.
The moment between us seemed to stretch, thick with possibility and uncertainty. Alexander's eyes softened just a fraction, his expression unreadable.
"Good," he replied, before turning on his heel and walking toward the door. "I'll see you at dinner, Luna."
As the door clicked shut behind him, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. My heart raced in my chest, and my mind was spinning with the weight of his words. Things were changing—slowly, painfully, but they were changing.
I just wasn't sure where we were headed anymore.