The next morning, Jay woke to the sunlight spilling into her room, feeling… lighter than she had in years. She frowned. That wasn't supposed to happen.
She quickly reminded herself: she was married for business, nothing else. Happiness was irrelevant.
Then she heard a knock.
"Jay? You up?"
She groaned. "Keifer, what do you want now?"
He pushed the door open, leaning casually against the frame, his hair slightly messy from sleep, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I wanted to make sure my favorite… grumpy wife is still breathing," he teased.
Jay rolled her eyes, but a small smile threatened to escape. "You're unbelievable."
"Maybe," he said, stepping inside. "Or maybe… I just know how to teach you a thing or two about life."
Before she could argue, he grabbed her hand, tugging her lightly toward the balcony. The cool morning breeze hit her face, and suddenly the mansion, the business, the expectations—they all felt distant.
Keifer stretched his arms wide, taking a deep breath. "See? This is how mornings are supposed to feel. Fresh air, sunlight, no deadlines, no rules… just us."
Jay tried to pull back, but something in his calm, playful presence held her in place. "This… is ridiculous," she muttered.
He laughed softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Ridiculous? Maybe. But it's real. And I want you to feel it. Even a little."
Jay's heart thudded. She hated that she wanted to feel it. She hated that his voice, his touch, his teasing smile was making her chest ache in ways she didn't understand.
"You don't… have to do this," she whispered, trying to regain control.
"I don't? Maybe not," he said, stepping closer, lowering his voice. "But I want to. And I will. Because you deserve to know what happiness feels like. Even if just for a moment. Even if… it scares you."
Her breath caught. He sounded so earnest, so certain, so impossibly warm. She wanted to look away, to remind herself this was a business marriage, but she couldn't. Her eyes stayed on his, her chest tightening with something like… hope.
Keifer leaned in slightly, just close enough for her to feel the faintest warmth of his breath. "And someday," he whispered, "I'll make sure happiness isn't just a lesson… but your life."
Jay's knees felt weak. She shook her head, trying to deny the flutter in her stomach. But deep down, she knew one thing: for the first time, the walls she had built around her heart were trembling… and Keifer Watson was the one holding the key.