Brad arched an eyebrow, watching her closely. He had long suspected that the tension between her and Ronan ran deep, but he hadn’t expected her to admit so openly that she intended to destroy him.

Still, wasn’t this a good sign? At least she wasn’t keeping everything from him now. She was starting to share her plans—selectively, yes, but still. Didn’t that mean the two of them were growing closer? With that thought, a smile tugged at the corners of Brad’s lips.

“What are you thinking about? Aren’t we leaving?” Rylie waved a hand in front of his face.

Brad snapped back to himself and started the car, his tone gentle. “Let’s go. I’ll take you out for a proper meal. How does stew sound?”

“Sure.”

Rylie let out a slow yawn. She had been running on Snow Mint and coffee for days, barely getting any real sleep. As the car moved steadily through the streets and the fading light of the sunset deepened, she finally slipped into a deep, restful sleep.

Noticing she had dozed off, Brad set his phone to silent. Even after pulling into the mall’s underground parking lot, he didn’t disturb her. He quietly turned off the engine, leaned back in his seat, and stayed beside her in silence. For a brief moment, it felt as if they were lying together in the same bed. Surrounded by the soft scent she carried, he felt a rare stillness settle over him, quiet and calming.

When Rylie awoke, it was already three in the morning. She gazed out the car window at the deserted streets, cloaked in deep shades of blue and black. Her eyes wandered momentarily, then instinctively shifted toward the handsome figure beside her, sleeping peacefully. The air inside the car still held traces of their closeness.

She studied Brad’s face quietly, memories surfacing of how he’d risked his future to protect her. Undoubtedly, he was a man of immense bravery and confidence. Yet, his willingness to place his destiny entirely in her hands — letting her dictate his fate — was extraordinarily rare.

Brad’s actions came solely from his free will, unlike those she controlled. Compared to individuals compelled by implanted chips, who couldn’t betray her, his trust held exceptional value.

“Have you seen enough?” Brad suddenly spoke, his voice husky from sleep, though his eyes remained closed.

Rylie didn’t look away, responding calmly, “If you were awake, why pretend otherwise?”

“I was curious to see if you’d make another move,” Brad replied, slowly opening his eyes, his lips curving into a faint smirk.

“And what move would that be?” Rylie retorted. “I’m not scheming anything wild.”

Brad chuckled softly, leaning closer until their faces were mere inches apart. His gaze traced her features, lingering notably on her lips. His Adam’s apple moved subtly as he swallowed, betraying his desire.

“In movies, when couples doze off in cars, one usually steals a kiss,” he said.

Rylie lowered her eyes briefly, noticing how enticing his lips were. But…

She lifted her hand, pressing it gently against his chin to push him away. “Aren’t you a bit too mature for such childish antics?”

Silence blanketed the car instantly.

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