Emily’s POV

Daniel froze.

For three agonising seconds, the only sound in the penthouse was the quiet hum of the air conditioning. His silver eyes, usually so sharp and calculated, widened in genuine shock. The warm grip he had on my waist suddenly went slack, his hands dropping to his sides as if my words had physically burned him.

"Emily..." he started, his voice gravelly, but the warmth was completely gone. He took a slow step backward, creating an ocean of distance between us. "Don't say things you don't mean."

My chest tightened, a sharp sting piercing behind my eyes. "I do mean it, Daniel. I’m not lying."

Daniel ran...