The Billionaire Recluse & The girl who stayed.

The beautiful Red head.

~Jasper~

"Glad to see you back, Coraline," I said, allowing a small, rare smile to surface.

The kitchen already felt different with her presence—warmer, more alive. The quiet efficiency of the staff moving around, the subtle clatter of utensils, the comforting smell of fresh coffee...

It grounded the house again.

Coraline turned, placing a perfectly made mug in front of me.

"Good morning, sir," she said warmly.

I nodded, wrapping my fingers around the cup, appreciating the heat.

Normal.

Controlled.

Just how I liked it.

Today, however... would not be normal.

Miss Dover was arriving.

Lilly would be showing her the ropes.

And I had no intention of being anywhere near the kitchen when that happened.

I preferred distance.

Always had.

People complicated things.

They asked questions.

Expected things.

Wanted things.

I didn't.

Not anymore.

Lilly was the only exception.

She understood the boundaries.

Respected them.

Never pushed.

That was why she stayed.

That was why she mattered.

I took my coffee and turned toward the hallway—

And stopped.

Instantly.

Lilly stood at the front door, her face lit with that familiar proud smile.

And beside her—

Her.

Lexi Dover.

Everything in me stilled.

I hadn't expected...

That.

She was—

Beautiful.

Striking, even.

Her hair alone caught my attention first—long, bright red, impossible to ignore. It framed her face perfectly, drawing attention to sharp blue eyes that seemed to take in everything around her.

And the freckles—

Subtle.

Soft.

Just enough to make her feel... real.

My grip tightened slightly around the coffee cup.

I stood there longer than I should have.

Silent.

Unmoving.

Lilly cleared her throat lightly.

"Jasper," she said, almost amused, "this is Lexi Dover—your new personal assistant."

I looked at her.

Really looked at her.

And for a moment—