Hailey left Brandon’s penthouse. The city felt different on the walk home — louder, sharper, every light a question.

Still, there was a knot of guilt under her ribs. Benjamin was waiting for her back at his apartment. He’d been distant recently — long hours, vague excuses — and she’d imagined him lonely, maybe very bored, maybe missing her. In the soft, private hours of the morning she realised how much she wanted to smooth things out, to be the one to bring ordinary comfort back into the life they’d made together.

She told herself she’d go to him. No drama. A quick stop by his office, a late coffee,...