The city lights stretched endlessly below.
Nora stood at the balcony, the cool night air brushing against her skin.
For the first time that day—
She allowed herself to breathe.
"You were impressive today."
Alexander's voice came from behind her.
She didn't turn immediately.
"I had to be," she said quietly.
There was a pause.
Then footsteps.
Slow. Steady.
Closer.
"I know," he replied.
Nora turned.
He was closer now than usual.
Close enough for her to notice the small details.
The calm in his eyes.
The control in his posture.
The quiet intensity in the way he looked at her.
"And you?" she asked. "Why are you really doing this?"
Alexander didn't answer right away.
Instead, he stepped closer.
Closing the distance between them.
"Because I see you," he said.
The words were simple.
But they hit deeper than expected.
Nora's breath caught—just slightly.
"And what exactly do you see?" she asked.
Alexander's gaze softened.
"Someone who refused to break," he said. "Even when she had every reason to."
Silence.
The kind that lingers.
The kind that means something.
Nora looked away first.
Because for a moment—
This didn't feel like a deal anymore.
And that…
Was dangerous.