The moment Jace finished explaining everything to Luke and Dino—how he met Selena, how fate pushed them back together—he stood up from the leather seat without hesitation. The dim club lights cast sharp shadows across his face, but the determination in his eyes was unmistakable.
"I'm going home," he said firmly, picking up his car key from the table.
Luke blinked. "Ah-ah, Jace, relax naw. Sit small. We haven't even ordered anything yet."
Jace shot him a flat look. "My wife is waiting for me."
Dino exchanged a knowing glance with Luke and let out a soft whistle. "So marriage has turned Jace Arinston into this?"
"Exactly!" Luke added dramatically. "Since when did you become this responsible family man?"
"Since I married her," Jace replied coldly, yet the corner of his lip twitched in a barely noticeable smile. "Goodnight."
And with that, he walked out of the club, ignoring Luke's exaggerated groan and Dino's chuckle behind him.
The night air outside Pluto Club was cool, wrapping around Jace like a soft reminder of reality. As he slipped into his car, his thoughts drifted immediately to Selena—how she looked at dinner, how she tried to hide her surprise at his intentions, how she quietly accepted every gesture he made.
He tapped the steering wheel, exhaling deeply.
"She really doesn't love me," he muttered, that same sting from earlier settling in his chest. But the next moment, resolve hardened in his eyes. "But she will."
He started the engine and drove home.
When he pulled up in front of the mansion, the house was quiet, almost too quiet. The living room lights were off, and the soft glow of the porch lamp reflected on his car hood.
He stepped out slowly.
"She slept already?" His voice held a hint of disappointment.
Inside the house, he removed his suit jacket as he walked through the hallway. The silence greeted him like a sigh, and he found himself standing in front of Selena's room door.
For a moment, he was tempted to knock.
Just check on her. Even if she's asleep, just look at her once.
His hand lifted halfway… then he dropped it.
"No," he murmured. "She probably needs the rest."
He walked away, unaware that inside the room, Selena's heart had also been restless.
Earlier, Selena had heard the sound of his car the moment she stepped out of the bathroom, water droplets still clinging to her hair. Wrapped in her towel, she peeked through her blinds.
"He's back so soon?" she whispered.
A strange flutter moved in her chest. She hurriedly changed into her nightwear—a soft cotton gown—and sat on her bed for a moment, staring at nothing. Her mind kept replaying the dinner: the way he pulled out her chair, the way he watched her when he thought she wasn't looking, the softness in his voice he kept trying to hide.
"This Jace…" she muttered, pressing her palm to her chest. "He's too unpredictable."
Eventually, she lay down on her bed, forcing her eyes closed, though sleep didn't come quickly.
Morning arrived with a gentle glow.
Selena stepped out of her room, adjusting her blouse lightly as she descended the stairs. She froze for a second when she saw Jace seated elegantly in the living room, already dressed in a deep charcoal suit, sipping coffee like a scene from a magazine cover.
He looked up at the sound of her footsteps.
Their eyes connected.
A warm flicker passed through her, but she quickly looked away.
"G-good morning," she said softly.
"Morning," Jace replied, his voice smooth, unreadable.
He watched her closely—her lowered eyes, the way she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, the faint blush dusting her cheeks. Something inside him softened.
"The dining is set for you," he said. "Go eat. When you're done, we'll leave for work."
Selena nodded and headed toward the dining room. She opened the food cover and blinked in surprise.
It was beautifully arranged—eggs, toast, and a side of fruit slices.
She smiled unintentionally.
"Did he… make this?" She shook her head quickly. "No. Impossible."
But then she whispered, "Even if he didn't… the thought still counts."
She ate quietly, her heart lighter than usual.
When she finished, she walked back to the living room.
"I'm ready," she said gently.
Jace stood up at once. "Let's go."
He grabbed his car key, and they left the house together.
Inside the car, Selena clasped her purse on her lap and stared out the window as the car rolled smoothly through the city streets. The morning sun painted everything gold, but her heart was beating at a steady, nervous rhythm.
After a moment, she spoke.
"Um… thank you… for the breakfast."
Jace glanced at her briefly. "You're welcome."
Silence settled between them again—but this time it wasn't cold. It felt… unfamiliar. Soft. Filled with something neither of them knew how to name yet.
Selena continued watching the scenery passing by—the trees lining the road, the people walking, the shops opening for the day. She was calmer than the night before, but she still felt something tugging deep inside.
She couldn't describe it.
Jace kept his eyes on the road but found himself stealing glances at her reflection in the window. The quietness between them wasn't uncomfortable—it was warm.
He wanted to talk. Ask her what she dreamed of. Tell her that dinner with her was the best part of his day. That her smile kept interrupting his thoughts.
But instead, he tightened his grip on the steering wheel and kept silent.
For now.
There was still time. Two months left on the contract… but Jace had already made up his mind.
He wasn't letting her go.
Not now.
Not ever.
As they approached the office building, Selena exhaled softly, mentally preparing herself for the day. The fear of coworkers seeing them together flickered in her mind, but Jace's decision was firm.
And somehow… she didn't mind as much as she expected.
Maybe—just maybe—opening her heart wasn't such a dangerous thing after all.