Chapter Eighty-Six: The Morning After the Storm

Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, brushing against bare skin and tangled sheets with gentle persistence.

Chloe groaned.

Every muscle in her body felt like it had been through a battle—not painful, just thoroughly… conquered.

She turned, burying her face in the pillow as warmth settled beneath the covers. Her legs ached, her spine ached, and there was a faint reminder across her hips of exactly how last night unfolded.

And yet—

Somewhere across the villa, a voice hummed.

She heard footsteps. Dishes. Coffee brewing.

Kian.

Apparently immune to exhaustion.

She threw a hand over her eyes, muttering to herself.

"If I had known this would be the aftermath, I'd have kept my mouth shut and my knees together."

A smile tugged at the edge of her mouth anyway.

But before she could get comfortable, her phone vibrated against the nightstand.

She reached for it lazily, still sprawled across the bed, and glanced at the name flashing on screen.

Kevin.

Her breath caught. She hesitated, thumb hovering.

Then—she answered.

"Hello?"

"Chloe?"

His voice still sounded familiar. Still calm. But slightly surprised.

"You look like you just woke up," he said with a soft chuckle. "Still stunning, though."

She ignored that part.

"What's up?"

"Is Carter with you? I was trying to check in—also… I'm relocating soon."

Chloe blinked. "Relocating?"

"Yeah," he said. "Veyora's chapter's closing, I guess. Got something lined up in Macresia."

But right as he said it, the bedroom door creaked open.

"Morning, baby. You alive in there?"

Kian stepped in like sunlight made flesh—shamelessly shirtless, that teasing lopsided smile pulling at his mouth as he carried two mugs of coffee.

Chloe's eyes widened.

Kevin's voice faded into background noise.

Kian walked over and bent down, brushing a kiss to her cheek.

"Made your toast and eggs. Perfectly uneven, just how you like them."

His hand rested gently on her shoulder as he leaned in from behind, and Chloe sat frozen for a beat before awkwardly turning back to the phone.

"Sorry—what were you saying about Veyora?"

There was a pause.

"I said I got a job. I'll be based in Macresia soon."

A subtle edge crept into Kevin's voice.

And maybe it wasn't just about geography. Maybe it was the sudden awareness that someone else had crossed the threshold Kevin never thought anyone would.