But then she slowed, reread a line, and then a paragraph. It wasn’t only about her. It bound him too. He couldn’t pursue anyone else. Couldn’t withdraw support. Couldn’t disappear.
It didn’t just grant him access. It held him accountable.
He didn’t speak while she read.
When she finished, she closed the folder. “Thank you.”
He nodded, once. “I didn’t let you choose before, but you still can.” He picked up her laptop from the coffee table. “Log in.”
She did. He guided her through the UR government portal slowly, showing her each step without rushing.
Tier 4 Relationship: KING, G. / CRUZ, B. Active.
Gage moved the cursor over the button:
Initiate Severance Request
Then he stepped aside. “If you want out, this is how.”
Bea moved forward. Looked at the screen. Looked at him. She took a deep breath, and clicked.
This will notify the other party. The request will remain pending for 7 days. If not confirmed, the case will be reviewed by Tribunal.
“Will you accept it?” she asked.
“I’m not going to lie, sweetheart. I want this status between us.”
She didn’t answer.
“But it only matters if you want it, too,” he added. “Submit it. Then give me the week.”
Looking down at the screen, she clicked Submit. “One week.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The studio smelled faintly of eucalyptus and rubber. Bea dropped onto her mat next to Lillian’s, and felt the stretch bloom down her back. Her body didn’t resist the poses anymore.
Her spine aligned. Her breath dropped lower. Her body had learned to obey.
Each pose Nova called was a small demand. A call to stay present. Her breath synced to motion, her mind focused. The thoughts that had been clawing for attention all week were finally muted.
Manny was waiting outside the studio, arms folded, looking half like a bouncer.
“Hey, Manny,” Bea said.
“You ever consider upgrading from slow torture to fast?”
“Huh?”
“Krav Maga. Muay Thai. Something with blood potential. Catharsis.”
“I’m not sure I’m ready for catharsis that throws punches.”
“Just come watch,” he said, grinning, already turning on his heel.
They followed him.
Bea had been hurrying past these classes ever since she joined the gym over a year ago. Not because she wasn’t curious. She was, but it had felt wrong to ogle. It wouldn’t have been her intention, but definitely would have been the outcome. Mostly men. Mostly muscle. Not one of them looked normal.
