Genesis adjusted her long white coat firmly around her chest as they drove out of the estate. On her lap sat a sleek black lunch box, simple yet elegant, holding what was left of the meal she had prepared with such care. Though it wasn't much, her heart wanted him to taste it.
Knight had been buried in work lately, locked away in that glass tower of his. Maybe this small gesture, something human, something warm would remind him that she was still here beyond the cold walls of business and control.
Lionel glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "Heading straight to the company, ma'am?"
"Yes," Genesis replied softly, resting her fingers on the lid of the lunch box.
Lionel exchanged a quick look with Marcus, the other guard seated in front. Marcus chuckled under his breath. "He'll probably scold us for letting you bring food yourself."
Genesis smiled faintly. "Let him try."
The car turned into the long, private driveway leading to Blackwood Enterprises, Knight's empire. The tall mirrored building rose like a blade against the skyline, its silver edges gleaming beneath the moon. Security guards at the gate bowed their heads as Lionel lowered the window, and the car rolled smoothly through.
They parked in the private underground garage reserved only for the Blackwoods and the board members. The soft hum of engines echoed off the polished floors as Lionel stepped out first, opening her door with practiced grace.
Genesis adjusted her coat again, clutching the lunch box close to her chest. "Thank you," she murmured, stepping out. Her heels clicked lightly on the marble floor as the three of them walked toward the private elevator at the end of the garage.
"Top floor," Lionel said, pressing the button.
The doors slid open with a faint chime, and they stepped inside. As the elevator ascended, Genesis caught her reflection in the mirrored wall, calm face, soft eyes, lips pressed together in quiet determination. She wasn't sure why her heart was racing. Maybe because every time she saw him, that man she'd married, she could never tell if she was stepping into warmth or into fire.
The elevator doors opened to the executive floor, silent and sleek. The faint hum of air conditioning was the only sound in the space. They walked down the corridor until the dark oak double doors of Knight's office came into view.
Lionel and Marcus stopped beside the door, as they always did. Genesis slowed, adjusting her hold on the lunch box. Her hand reached for the handle but froze.She stared at the office door, her hand hovering over the handle. She didn't even know how he would react to seeing her. Ever since that day in the ballet studio, Knight had been distant. If he wasn't buried in business, he was on the phone with his father's doctor—the same treatment Donald refused to take. He barely touched her anymore. The last time they'd been close was two weeks ago, and the silence since then had felt colder than ever.
She knew why. The distance came from fear—his fear of losing his father. She didn't blame him, but she still felt alone. She wanted her husband back, not this stranger he'd become.
Taking a deep breath, she turned the handle and stepped inside with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
The moment the door shut behind her, she froze. Two pairs of eyes turned toward her—Knight's and Amaya's.
Knight's gaze was sharp. Amaya's dropped to the floor. Genesis frowned, her eyes flicking between them. The faint, red imprint of a slap on Amaya's cheek made her chest tighten. In that instant, she didn't care what the gardener's daughter was doing in her husband's office—only why her face looked like that.
Before she could speak, Knight's voice cut through the silence. "Leave."
For a heartbeat, Genesis thought he was talking to her. But then Amaya nodded quickly, heading for the door. She paused in front of Genesis, eyes downcast.
"Excuse me, ma'am," she whispered.
"What happened to your face, Amaya?" Genesis asked softly, reaching out—but Amaya flinched away.
"Let her go, Genesis."
Her head snapped toward Knight. His tone was calm, but his eyes—dark and unreadable—held her in place. They stared at each other for a long, tense moment before she stepped aside, and Amaya rushed out.
The door closed.
Genesis watched it for a few seconds before moving to his desk and setting the lunch box down with a sharp thud.
Knight's gaze flickered to it, then back to her.
"Did you do it?" she demanded.
He arched a brow. "Do what?"
She looked toward the door where Amaya had just left. Before she could speak, he gave a low, humorless chuckle.
"You're asking if I hit her?" His tone was mocking, almost cold.
She bit her lip, saying nothing—but part of her had wondered.
"Let's just say," he said, leaning back in his chair, "your stepbrother got acquainted with her face."
Her eyes widened. "What? How did that happen? How does he even know Amaya?"
Knight rose from his seat, his height casting a shadow over her. Genesis straightened, her pulse quickening as he came around the desk.
He leaned down, his breath grazing her ear. "That isn't why you're here, is it, princess?"
Her heart pounded so hard she could feel it echo in her throat. "No, but I need—"
"You need to get fucked," he cut in, his voice sharp and low.
Her words died on her lips as he turned her around, pressing her against the table, and flipped up her coat, the faint light catching the thin strip of black lace hugging her hips. His gaze darkened, and a slow, dangerous smirk curved his mouth as his hand slid over the curve of her backside.
"Next time, princess," he murmured, his tone rough enough to send a shiver down her spine. His fingers pressed just hard enough into her bare ass to make her breath hitch. "You knock before you walk into my office."
Then he stepped back, leaving her braced against the desk, breathless and tremblingher pulse still racing long after he was gone.