Greyson Black was a man who thrived on control. Every deal, every decision, every move he made was calculated, precise, and unyielding. Yet lately, Amanda Evans had begun to disrupt that balance in ways he couldn't ignore.
He sat alone in his office late at night, the city lights sprawling beneath him. The merger documents lay untouched on his desk. Instead, his thoughts circled back to Amanda — her determination, her resilience, the way she looked at him without fear or expectation. It unsettled him.
For years, Greyson had built walls around himself. Trust was a liability, vulnerability a weakness. He had learned that lesson the hard way, betrayed by people who had once stood closest to him. But Amanda was different. She didn't ask for his wealth, didn't seek his power. She simply wanted to prove herself. And that sincerity was dangerous.
The next morning, Amanda entered his office with her usual poise, carrying a stack of reports. Greyson watched her, his expression unreadable.
"You work harder than anyone here," he said suddenly.
Amanda blinked, surprised. "I just want to do my job well."
Greyson leaned back, his gaze steady. "Most people want recognition. You want purpose. That's rare."
Amanda hesitated, sensing the shift in his tone. "Is that... a compliment?"
His lips curved faintly, though it carried a shadow of something deeper. "It's an observation. And a warning."
Amanda frowned. "A warning?"
Greyson stood, moving toward the window. "The closer you get to me, the more dangerous it becomes. People will envy you. They'll question you. And I..." He paused, his voice lower. "I don't know if I can give you the kind of life you deserve."
Amanda's chest tightened. She wanted to reassure him, to tell him she wasn't afraid, but the vulnerability in his voice silenced her. For the first time, she saw not the billionaire, but the man — guarded, uncertain, and afraid of what it meant to let someone in.
She stepped closer, her voice gentle. "Maybe you don't have to give me anything. Maybe it's enough just to be honest."
Greyson turned, his eyes locking with hers. The silence between them was heavy, charged with unspoken truths. For a moment, Amanda thought he might close the distance, might let the walls fall completely. But then, as if catching himself, he straightened.
"Go home, Amanda," he said quietly. "Tomorrow will be another battle."
Amanda gathered her things, her heart racing. As she left, she realized Greyson Black was fighting something far greater than business rivals. He was fighting himself — and she was becoming the one crack in his armor he couldn't ignore.