CHAPTER 60

Angela carefully set the last shard of the broken vase onto the coffee table, brushing off her hands as she settled back onto the couch. The hum of the city filtered in through the open windows, bringing an air of calm into the penthouse that neither woman seemed to feel.

“Th-thanks for helping,” Aurora whispered, her voice unsteady.

Angela gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about it. It’s just a vase.”

Aurora’s eyes flickered nervously toward the closed door of Xavier’s office, her fingers toying with the hem of her shirt. “Um, should I l-let your b-brother know y-you’re h-here?”

Angela nodded. “yeah, pl-.”

Before Angela could complete her sentence, Alex’s voice rang out from the hallway, full of energy.

“Xavier! Hey, Bro! Come out, come out, wherever you are!”

Aurora flinched at the sound, her body stiffening immediately. Angela caught the subtle shift and shot her a glance but stayed quiet, knowing Alex’s boisterous personality often unnerved Aurora.

"Xavier!