Chapter 33 — Things Said Out Loud
"Do you ever notice," Kade said, breaking the quiet, "that the penthouse is too quiet when Leo's asleep?"
Kiera looked up from the book in her lap. "You mean peaceful?"
"No. Suspiciously quiet," he corrected. "Like something's about to break."
She laughed. "You've been a parent too long."
"And you haven't been one long enough," he shot back lightly. "Give it time."
They were sitting at opposite ends of the couch, a careful distance that still felt intentional. Comfortable. Chosen.
Kiera closed her book. "Can I ask you something?"
Kade turned fully toward her. "You usually do anyway."
She rolled her eyes. "Okay—fair. But this one's… different."
"That tone never means good things," he said, but his voice softened. "Ask."
"Why did you really ask me to stay?" she asked. "At the beginning."
He didn't answer immediately.
She rushed on, nerves creeping in. "I mean, I know Leo needed a nanny, and you needed help, but—"
"Kiera," he interrupted gently. "You don't have to justify the question."
She swallowed. "I just need honesty."
He leaned back, exhaling slowly. "At first? Because you looked like someone who needed somewhere safe."
Her fingers tightened around the book. "Pity?"
"No," he said firmly. "Recognition."
She frowned. "Recognition of what?"
"Of what it looks like when someone survives something and pretends they didn't," he replied. "I've worn that face."
The room went quiet again.
"That's… not what I expected," she admitted.
"What were you expecting?" he asked.
"That you'd say it was convenient," she said. "Or that you needed someone quiet."
He gave a small smile. "You are quiet. But you're not invisible. And I never wanted you to be."
Her chest tightened. "You didn't always act like that."
"I know," he said quickly. "And I regret it. Especially the times I let Vivienne—"
He stopped.
She raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
"I let her disrespect you," he finished. "I should've stopped it sooner."
"You did eventually," Kiera said. "That matters."
"But it doesn't erase it," he replied. "I know."
She studied his face. "You're really trying."
"I am," he said. "And not because I expect anything."
She smiled faintly. "Good. Because I don't want to owe you."
"You don't," he said immediately. "Ever."
Another pause.
"Kade?" she said.
"Yes?"
"Why did you ask before you kissed me?" she asked softly.
He chuckled under his breath. "Because I didn't want to be another man who took something without asking."
Her throat went tight. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For seeing me," she said simply.
The next morning was chaos.
"Leo, you cannot wear two different shoes to school," Kade said, crouching in front of him.
"Yes I can," Leo argued. "They're both shoes."
Kiera tried not to laugh. "He's technically not wrong."
Kade shot her a look. "You're supposed to be on my side."
"I'm on logic's side," she teased.
Leo grinned. "See? Kiera understands me."
Kade stood up, sighing. "This is betrayal."
As they headed out, Kade handed Kiera his car keys. "You drive today."
She blinked. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," he said. "Unless you plan to kidnap Leo."
Leo gasped dramatically. "Don't kidnap me!"
Kiera laughed. "Relax, dragon boy. You're safe."
Later that afternoon, Kiera returned home alone.
Kade wasn't due back for another hour. She appreciated the quiet—until the doorbell rang.
She froze.
Don't panic, she told herself.
She checked the intercom. Her stomach dropped.
Vivienne.
Kiera considered pretending she wasn't home.
The bell rang again.
She exhaled sharply and pressed the button. "Yes?"
"We need to talk," Vivienne said coolly. "I know you're there."
Kiera hesitated, then unlocked the door—but didn't invite her in.
Vivienne's eyes swept over her. "You look comfortable."
"I live here," Kiera replied evenly.
Vivienne smiled thinly. "For now."
Kiera crossed her arms. "What do you want?"
"To warn you," Vivienne said. "You're confusing kindness for something else."
"I'm not confused," Kiera said. "And I didn't ask for advice."
Vivienne leaned closer. "Men like Kade don't fall in love with girls like you."
Kiera's heart thudded—but she didn't step back. "Girls like me?"
"Broken," Vivienne said smoothly. "Temporary."
Kiera met her gaze. "You should leave."
Vivienne laughed softly. "You think you've won?"
"No," Kiera replied. "I think I stopped competing."
The smile slipped from Vivienne's face.
At that moment, the elevator dinged.
Kade stepped out.
"What's going on?" he asked, his voice sharp.
Vivienne turned instantly sweet. "I was just checking on you."
Kade looked at Kiera. "Did you invite her?"
"No," Kiera said calmly.
Kade faced Vivienne. "Then you need to go."
Vivienne scoffed. "You're choosing her?"
"I'm choosing respect," he said. "You should try it sometime."
Vivienne's eyes flashed. "You'll regret this."
She walked away, heels clicking angrily.
Kade turned to Kiera. "Are you okay?"
Kiera nodded, though her hands trembled. "Yeah. I stood my ground."
He smiled with unmistakable pride. "I saw."
That night, as they cleaned up dinner together, Kiera said quietly, "She was right about one thing."
Kade paused. "Which part?"
"I am broken," she said. "A little."
He set the plate down. "So am I."
She looked at him.
"And that doesn't make either of us disposable," he added.
She smiled—this time, without fear.
"Thank you," she said.
"For?"
"For saying things out loud," she replied.
He nodded. "We should keep doing that."
"Yes," she agreed. "We really should."