The Billionaire Recluse & The girl who stayed.

The Cinema.

By the time I finished my work, the house had settled into its usual quiet.

Soft.

Still.

Almost too still.

I shut down my computer and stood, smoothing down my clothes as I took a breath.

The cinema room.

With Jasper.

That alone felt... strange.

Not bad.

Just unexpected.

—

As I walked down the hallway, the smell reached me before I even got to the kitchen.

Warm.

Rich.

Comforting.

Lasagna.

I stopped just outside the doorway, closing my eyes briefly as I breathed it in.

"My favourite..." I murmured, a small smile forming.

Inside, Coraline was moving around quickly, clearly in the middle of cooking.

She glanced at me with a knowing look before turning back to what she was doing.

He remembered.

That alone said more than anything else.

—

I continued toward the cinema room, my steps slower now.

More aware.

As I pushed the door open—

I paused.

The room was dimly lit.

Warm.

Inviting in a quiet, understated way.

No big gestures.

No over-the-top effort.

Just...

Comfort.

On the sofa sat a bouquet of flowers and a small note.

I walked over, picking it up carefully.

Lexi,
Please forgive me for how I acted.
— J
xx

I let out a soft breath, a smile tugging at my lips.

Of course he kept it simple.

Even the "xx" felt... slightly out of place for him.

Like he'd debated it.

I placed the flowers down gently and took a seat.

—

The door opened behind me.

I turned.

Jasper stepped in, Coraline behind him with a tray.

He looked composed, as always—but there was something slightly different about him tonight.

Less guarded.

Or maybe just... trying.

"Coraline prepared dinner," he said, his voice calm. "Lasagna. Your favourite."

I smiled.

"Thank you."

"And popcorn," he added. "For the film."

Coraline placed everything down before quietly leaving us alone.

The door shut.

And the room shifted.