Lea stood frozen in the doorway, blinking several times as her brain struggled to process the scene before her.

The infamous Christian Wayne—the man the world knew as a ruthless, merciless alpha king—was kissing her best friend with unmistakable tenderness.

It felt completely surreal.

She knew Fleur better than anyone. In all the years they had lived together, Fleur had never shown the slightest interest in dating. She had buried herself in work, ignored every admirer who crossed her path, and refused to let anyone get close.

Seeing her wrapped in Christian’s embrace was the last thing Lea had ever expected.

She had come only to deliver the bags Christian’s assistant had dropped off. She certainly hadn’t expected to interrupt such an intimate moment.

Lea’s voice snapped Fleur back to reality.

Flustered, Fleur quickly pushed Christian away.

Before she could move any farther, Christian instinctively grabbed the blanket and wrapped it securely around her shoulders, shielding her from view before releasing her.

"Thank you, Miss Undine," he said evenly, though the coolness in his eyes made it obvious he wasn’t pleased about the interruption.

Lea cleared her throat awkwardly.

Instead of retreating immediately, she walked inside just long enough to place the garment bags on the nearby chair.

Fleur’s cheeks burned scarlet.

The moment Christian loosened his hold, she slipped off his lap and hurried to straighten the blanket around herself.

Christian walked over to inspect the bags.

"Lucas works faster than I expected," he commented as he unzipped one of them.

Satisfied, he turned toward Fleur with an easy smile.

"I’m going to shower and change. Then we can decide what we’re doing today."

Without waiting for a response, he disappeared into the bathroom.

The door clicked shut. Only then did both women release the breaths they’d been holding.

Lea hurried across the room.

"What on earth is going on, Fleur?"

Fleur closed her eyes, frowning.

"Lea..."

She tightened the blanket around herself before retrieving a robe from the wardrobe. Only after tying the belt securely did she turn back to her friend.

"It’s complicated."

Lea folded her arms.

"No." Her tone was gentle but firm. "You don’t get to use that excuse. I woke up during the night to get a glass of water. He wasn’t sleeping on the couch."

Lea held her gaze. "So I already knew he spent the night in here."

She then sighed.

"I’m not judging you. You know I never would... But I need to know you’re making this decision because it’s what you want."

Lea’s expression softened.

"I’ve watched you turn down every man who ever showed interest in you. Even Raphael. Do you know how many women would have said yes without thinking if someone like him asked them out?"

Fleur couldn’t help smiling.

Lea continued.

"You never even considered it. So tell me honestly... Do you really have feelings for Christian?"

The question lingered between them.

Fleur lowered her eyes.

How could she explain something even she barely understood?

The truth sat heavily in her chest.

For several long seconds, she remained silent.

Then she made a decision.

Lea had stood beside her through every difficult Chapter of her life.

If anyone deserved the truth... It was her.

Barely above a whisper, Fleur spoke at last.

"Lea... I spent the night with my ex-husband."

Lea frowned. For a moment, she didn’t understand anything.

Then realization struck, and her eyes widened dramatically.

"...What?"

"The man in that bathroom..." Fleur nodded slowly. "...is the man I left."

Lea stared at her.

"No. He..."

Lea pointed helplessly toward the bathroom door.

"...he’s your ex-husband?"

"Yes."

Silence.

Lea finally found her voice again.

"The same husband you told me you escaped from? The one you said wanted you dead?"

Fleur’s shoulders sagged.

"Yes."

Lea collapsed onto the edge of the bed.

"This doesn’t make any sense. Everyone believed Mrs. Wayne died in that plane crash."

"They still do." Fleur sat beside her. "I’ll explain everything."

Her voice trembled.

"But not now... For now, there’s only one thing I need you to know. Christian still believes his wife died years ago. He thinks I’m simply someone who looks exactly like her."

Lea arched her brows at her.

"So... He has no idea who I really am." Fleur squeezed her friend’s hand tighter. "Please. You can’t tell anyone. If the truth comes out before I’m ready..."

She swallowed hard. "My children could be in danger."

Lea didn’t hesitate. She covered Fleur’s hand with both of hers and nodded.

"You don’t have to worry. This stays between us."

Relief washed across Fleur’s face.

For the first time in years, she no longer carried the burden completely alone.

After a thoughtful pause, Lea frowned.

"There’s still something I don’t understand. You always described your husband as cold and cruel. A man who terrified you. But the Christian I’ve seen... He adores you. And your children. He doesn’t resemble the monster you described."

Fleur sighed.

"I don’t understand it either. Sometimes I wonder if this is an entirely different man."

Lea opened her mouth to ask another question, but then the sound of running water stopped.

Both women exchanged a quick glance.

The bathroom door opened.

Without another word, the conversation ended.

Christian emerged moments later, freshly dressed in tailored black trousers and a crisp white shirt.

His dark hair was neatly combed back, emphasizing the sharp angles of his face.

The sleeves of his shirt were rolled neatly to his forearms, revealing intricate tattoos winding over powerful muscles.

He looked effortlessly elegant.

Fleur found herself staring longer than she intended.

Christian noticed immediately. A teasing smile tugged at his lips.

"See something you like?"

Realizing she’d been caught, Fleur looked away at once. Her cheeks warmed.

"You’re unbelievably conceited, Mr. Wayne."

He laughed. "It’s Christian. Just Christian."

Watching him finish dressing, Fleur asked before she could stop herself, "Are you heading to the office?"

He shook his head. "I canceled everything."

She widened her eyes at him. "You canceled your schedule?"

"I’m spending today with you." A brief pause. "And the twins."

Fleur rubbed her forehead dramatically.

"You actually wear a designer suit on your day off?"

Christian shrugged. "It’s what I’m comfortable wearing."

Then he stepped closer. "I also hoped you’d approve."

His familiar scent drifted toward her. Combined with the warmth of his gaze, it made her heartbeat stumble and her wolf whimper.

He didn’t touch her. He didn’t need to. Simply standing that close was enough to make the room suddenly feel much smaller.

His eyes remained fixed on hers, as though trying to read every thought hidden behind them.

Fleur found herself forgetting how to breathe. Unable to endure the intensity any longer, she abruptly stood.

"I..." She cleared her throat. "I have to get ready. I have an important meeting today."

Without waiting for his reply, she hurried toward the bathroom.

The moment the door closed behind her, Christian’s quiet laughter echoed through the room.

Leaning against the door, Fleur pressed a hand against her racing heart.

"What is wrong with me?"

She closed her eyes.

Even after everything that had happened between them...

Even after all those years...

He still had the power to leave her completely flustered.

Trying to collect herself, she stepped beneath the warm spray of the shower.

Instead of calming her thoughts, the lingering scent of Christian’s scent clinging to the room only reminded her how close he’d been moments earlier.

She sighed in frustration.

No matter how determined she was to stay guarded...

Being around him made that promise harder to keep with every passing minute.