bThe /bbdoorbell /brang, band /bI looked up from myptop. I was finishing some emails before taking Ss to his bfirst /bpsychological bconsultation/b. bI /bbnced /bbat /bbthe /btime–btoo /bearly bfor /bEthan’s usual bvisits/b. bI /bheard footsteps as Ss went to answer bthe /bbdoor/b, and bI /bcontinued btyping/b, curious about who bwould /bbe showing up unannounced this morning.

When I finally looked up, I caught the tail end bof /ba tense exchange. Ethan stood in the doorway, his shoulders rigid despite his casual bdesigner /bclothes. Ss had positioned himself like a gatekeeperb, /bhisnky frame surprisingly imposing. Neither man bspoke/bb, /bbbut /bthe silent bstandoff /bbwas /beloquent enough.

Ethan finally broke eye contactb, /bstepping around Ss with practiced grace. He spotted meing down the stairs and his expression softened immediately.

“I brought you something,” he said, holding up a small insted bag. “Blueberries and cherries, air–shipped from Venezu this morningb./b”

The gesture bwasn’t /blost on me. This was Ethan’s way of extending an olive branch after ourst interaction.

“Thanks,” bI /bsaid, examining the perfectly ripe fruit. “But Ss and I were just about to head out.”

Ethan’s smile faltered. “Mind if I ask where you’re going?”

I nced at Ss, who looked pale and exhausted, dark circles prominent under his eyes.

“Not really your businessb,/b” I replied, my tone deliberately light despite the words.

Ethan studied me for a long moment, drawing a deep breath. “Can we talk before you go?”

“I don’t have time right now,” I said, grabbing my keys.

Ssb, /bwho had been watching our exchange silently, suddenly spoke up. “I can go by myself. bJust /bgive me the address.”

I ignored him, keeping my eyes on Ethan. “Ss and I have ns.”

Ethan’s expression darkened subtly. “No time for me, but plenty for him.”

The air in the room grew heavy with tension. I sighed, realizing we weren’t going to leave without addressing whatever was eating at

Ethan.

b“/bFineb. /bLet’s talk in my room,” bI /bconceded, turning to Ss. “Wait for me, I’ll just be a minute.”

bEthan /bshook his head. “We can talk right here. I don’t think we need privacy from him.”

bI /bbnarrowed /bmy eyes, irritated by his presumption but too tired to argue. “Fine. Say what you need to say.”

Ethan didn’t bwaste /btime with preamble. “What exactly are we, Jade?”

bI /bbalmost /bughed at the cliché question. “Is Mr. Haxton feeling his age? Eager to settle down, have kids, and need some kind ofbel from

bme/bb?/bb” /b

His jaw tightenedb. /b“bHow /blong bdo /byou n on this… whatever it is between us? Or was it always just about the chase for byou/bb?/bb” /b

b“/bYou bseemed /bbpretty /bcontent bwith /bour arrangement until nowb, /bI pointed out. “Getting greedy isn’t attractive, bEthan/bb./bb” /b

b“/bbWhat /bbam /bI to youb?/bb” /bhe askedb, /bhis voice unnervingly calm.

I leaned against the counter, studying him. b“/bFor marriage? You’d be quite the catch, Ethan. But I have no ns to get married. I understand you’re not getting any younger, but we haven’t known each other that long. Your urgency puts me in an awkward position.b” /b

I watched his face carefully as I continued. “If you’re willing to wait bfive /bor bsix /byears, maybe by then I’ll have clearer thoughts about marriageb./b”

“I like my freedom,” I said with a shrug. “Being tied down is bmy /bpersonal hell. If you can’t handle that…”

“I never wanted to cage you,” Ethan said, hisposure slipping for the first time bsince /bI’d known him.

I looked at him, feeling a twinge of something almost like regret.

“Love isn’t a necessity for me, Ethan. At best, it’s a pleasant diversion. Someone with your status should be more clear–headed about this. Besides, you’ve known from the start that I’m no angel.” fnaa70 ?????? ???? Find_Novel(./fnaa70

“Then what have these past months meant?” he asked quietly.

“If you’re forcing me to eithermit to a rtionship or promise you forever right now, I’m sorry, but I can’t. I have too many things I need to do.”

Ethan stared at me in silence, his green eyes unreadable.

“I’ve been clear,” I said finally. “Maybe you should go home and reconsider what you want from us.”

His face hardened as he nced at Ss, who was pretending not to listen. Without another word, Ethan turned and walked out.

I turned to Ss. “Let’s go.”

“You didn’t have to piss off Ethan Haxton,” Ss said as we drove toward the private clinic. “That guy could ruin both our lives with a phone call.”

I kept my eyes on the road. “What, bI /bcan’t have friends now?”

“That’s not what I meant,” Ss backpedaled. “bIt’s /bjust… he’s Ethan fucking Haxton. And he’s clearly into you.”

“So I’m supposed to drop everything whenever he snaps his fingers?” I asked, irritation creeping into my voice. “Is that how it works?”

Ss fell silent, apparently sensing my mood.

bThe /bbprivate /bbclinic /bbwas /bbnestled /bin an bupscale /bneighborhood. bNothing /babout it screamed b“/bpsychiatric bfacility/b,” bwhich /bwas bprecisely /bbthe /bbpoint/b. bPeople /bwho bcame /bhere bvalued /bdiscretion above all else.

bChris /bbJensen /bgreeted bus /bat bthe /bentranceb, /bdressed in a whiteb bcoat /bover a bperfectly /btailored bcharcoal /bbsuit /bwith a bblue /bbtie /bbthat /bbbrought /bbout /b

bhis /bbeyes/b.

b“/bbJade/bb,/bb” /bbhe /bbsaid /bwarmlyb, /bbefore turning to Ss with a practiced smileb. /bb“/bAnd you must be bSs/bb. /bI’m Dr. Jensenb./bb” /b

Ss nodded awkwardly, clearly ufortable.

b“/bJade rarely brings friends bto /bmeet me,” Chris remarked, leading bus /bdown a hallway. “You bmust /bbe special.”

“You can wait in hereb,/b” Chris told me, gesturing to a luxurious waiting area with leather couches and a fully stocked refreshment bbar/bb. /b“This might take a whileb./bb” /b

I settled into afortable chair with my phone as Chris led Ss into his office. Three and a half hourster, they emerged. bSs /blooked drained but somehow lighter, while Chris maintained his professional demeanor despite the obviousck of progress.

b“/bbWe’ve /bmade a start,” Chris said vaguely. “I’d like to schedule another session next week.”

Ss nodded, avoiding my eyes.

“Let’s get some food,” I suggested. “I’m starving.”

We ended up at an Italian restaurant a few blocks from the clinic. Chris had joined us, shedding his doctor persona the moment we were

seated.

“So, how are things with Haxton?” Chris asked casually as we waited for our food. “Any developments I should know about?”

bI /bgave him a t look. “Always bringing up the wrong topic.”

“Him?” Chris asked, pointing his fork at himself. “Or me?”

When I didn’t answer, Chris smiled. “d it’s not me.”

bHe /bturned his attention to Ss. “What about you? Anyone special in your life?”

bSs /bshook his head, pushing pasta around his te.

“A good–looking guy like youb, /bwith obvious intelligence?” Chris remarked. “You’ll have plenty of options in the future.”

bSs /blooked bup/bb, /bsurprised. “Meb?/b”

b“/bSmall wonder–Jade’s friends are never anything less than exceptional,” Chris said with a shrug.

“You know,” Chris said, turning back to me, “you and Haxton don’t really fit.”

I raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to borate.

b“/bbHe’s /bbuilt for bthe /btraditional life–marriage, familyb, /bdynasty–building. You’re…” he gestured vaguely at me, “clearly not that type.”

I said nothing, focusing on bmy /bfood.

b“/bNot that there’s anything wrong with either approach,” Chris added hastily. “bJust /ban observation.”

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