I woke up to the soft weight of Val's arm draped across my chest, her forehead resting against my shoulder as if she'd been holding onto me in her sleep.

For a moment, I just stayed still.

Her breaths were slow. Even. Peaceful.

The exact opposite of how she'd fallen asleep last night.

The conversation we'd had — the rawness in her voice, the way she tried to be strong even while admitting the fears she'd been hiding — it stayed with me. I could still feel it lingering in the air between us, like a ghost of her pain she didn't want me to carry.

But I was always going to carry it.

She shifted a little, her fingers curling slightly against my shirt. Then she blinked awake, eyelashes brushing my collarbone before she lifted her head just enough to meet my eyes.

"Morning husband..." Her voice was soft, rough in that vulnerable way she had only around me. "Did you sleep well?"

"Eventually," I said, brushing a thumb against her cheek. "You?"

"Mm. I think so." She sighed, and the sound was slow — too slow for someone who was trying to pretend she was fine. "I didn't mean to fall asleep on you that fast."

"You were exhausted."

> "And you weren't?"

I smiled lightly. "I don't think that's the competition we need to fight for first place in."

She actually snorted. "You and these lines…"

But the momentary amusement didn't hide the worry beneath her eyes. She tried — she always tried — but I knew her too well.

"Val," I murmured, letting my hand settle on her hair. "You still thinking about yesterday?"

She didn't answer immediately. Instead, she shifted so she was properly lying beside me, facing me, one hand resting on my chest like she needed the physical contact to steady herself.

Then she nodded once.

Small. Hesitant. Honest.

"I'm better," she said softly. "But… Lucien. Everything he said. Everything we talked about. And everything happening around…" She closed her eyes for a second. "I just want today to be okay. I want him to be okay."

"He will," I said gently. "Besides, we'll go see Trent right after work."

She opened her eyes again, looking straight at me. Searching.

Like she needed the reassurance twice.

> "You promise?"

"I promise."

And I meant it down to the bone.

She breathed in — long and slow — and I felt her shoulders relax against me just a little. Enough that I knew the words had landed. Enough that maybe the day didn't feel like a weight pressing down on her anymore.

Her fingers brushed my chest again. "Okay. As soon as we're done with work."

"As soon as," I echoed.

We stayed like that for a while, neither of us rushing to get up, the morning stretching around us in a quiet cocoon. Eventually, Val forced a smile at me — the soft kind, the kind she gave when she was still pulling herself together but trying anyway.

"We should get ready," she murmured.

"Yeah."

But neither of us moved for another whole minute.

---

By the time we finally pulled ourselves out of bed, the house had already warmed with Aline's soft clattering from the kitchen. The familiar sounds drifted upstairs — cupboards opening, pans moving, something sizzling. It smelled like she'd gone all out again. Probably eggs. Maybe toast. Definitely something Val would inhale in three bites if she let herself.

"Do you want the bathroom first?" I asked as Val gathered her hair into a loose knot.

"You go," she said, waving me in. "If I step in there first, I'll take too long."

"That's a risk you always pose."

"You love it," she replied, bumping my shoulder lightly before she disappeared into the closet.

She wasn't wrong.

I took a quick shower, letting the warm water clear out the last traces of sleep. By the time I stepped out, the mirror was fogged over and Val was already leaning against the counter, waiting her turn with that impatient bounce in her foot.

"You're done?" she asked.

"You literally told me to go first."

> "Yes, but you finish fast. It's suspicious."

"Suspicious how?"

She narrowed her eyes. "Fast showers are a red flag."

I laughed. "And you married me anyway."

"Mm-hmm," she said, sliding past me with a teasing smirk. "Maybe I just ignored the signs."

The bathroom door clicked shut behind her, and I shook my head, grabbing my towel and heading back out. Even with everything weighing on her, she still found ways to joke. To tease. To keep herself from sinking too deep into her own thoughts.

That was Val.

And also the reason I needed to get her to Trent today.

Some burdens were too heavy to keep pretending through.

I dressed quickly, straightening my shirt as I stepped out into the hallway. From the bathroom, the water kicked on. Val's humming — faint and soft, a tune she probably didn't even realize she'd started — drifted through the door.

By the time she came out a few minutes later, hair damp and face glowing from the steam, I already had my laptop bag by the foot of the bed.

"You look good," I said.

She gave a half-smile. "Just good?"

"Dangerously good."

> "That's better."

Downstairs, the dining room table was already set. Aline had gone all out just like I thought — scrambled eggs, buttered toast, grilled tomatoes, and something that smelled suspiciously like freshly baked pastries.

Val blinked at it. "Aline… you didn't have to make this much."

Aline, still wiping her hands on a cloth, smiled at her. "You two had a long day yesterday. Eat well this morning."

Val's expression softened. She didn't say anything, but she stepped forward and squeezed Aline's hand lightly before taking her seat.

I sat beside her, watching quietly as she took her first bite. She didn't eat fast today. She was trying to not look stressed. Trying to move at a normal pace. Her mind was already halfway to Trent.

I nudged her gently with my elbow. "Hey."

She looked at me.

"You're going to work," I said softly, "not to war."

She exhaled, a tiny smile appearing. "Sometimes I'm not sure."

"It's just a few hours," I reminded her. "Then we leave."

"Right" she confirmed. "I'll tell Gianna I'm stepping out early."

"Good."

She reached for her juice, sipping slowly, and for the first time that morning, she genuinely seemed lighter.

Breakfast moved quietly after that. Comfortable, even. Aline cleaned while we finished eating, and Val stepped aside to grab her bag, adjusting the strap over her shoulder as she walked back to me.

"You ready?" she asked.

"Yeah."

We both grabbed our things, heading toward the front door. Val fixed her blazer as she slipped on her shoes, glancing toward me again.

She gave me a small soft look. "Kai…?"

"Yeah?"

> "Thanks."

Just that.

Simple but heavy.

"For what?" I asked.

> "For staying steady when I'm not."

I stepped closer, brushing a light kiss against her forehead. "That's what we do for each other."

She closed her eyes for a moment — one heartbeat, two — then nodded and straightened up.

> "Okay. Work first."

"Then Trent," I reminded.

"Then Trent," she echoed, firmer this time.

We stepped outside together, the morning air cool, the city noise still soft and distant. She headed toward her car, while I walked toward mine.

She paused before opening her door.

> "Husband?"

I paused too. "Yeah?"

> "Text me when you get there."

"I will."

> "And if anything happens…"

"I'll call," I said instantly.

She nodded once, satisfied. Then she slipped into her car, started the engine, and gave me a tiny wave before driving off toward Moreau Dynamics.

I watched her go until she turned the corner.

Only then did I get into my own car, exhaling slowly as I started the engine.

Next stop: Gray & Milton.

And after that — Trent's.

---

To be continued...

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