That morning, Kate dressed with surgical precision.

She chose a fitted red sheath dress that hugged her figure just right. The neckline was modest, but low enough to command attention. Her blonde hair was pulled into a sleek, high bun, and her lips—painted the same bold red as her dress—were a promise of power.

Kate Langley didn't dress for cheap seduction. She dressed like power.

When she stepped out of the car in the parking lot of her firm's building, the security guard greeted her with a respectful smile.

"Good morning, Ms. Langley."

"Good morning, Tom," she replied with her usual calm confidence, flashing a quick smile in return.

As soon as she entered the lobby, the buzz was already building. Lawyers and assistants were still talking about her latest win.

"Langley! What you pulled off yesterday—brutal! You crushed Reid."

"You never stop surprising us, Kate."

She smiled, thanked them, and kept walking. Until Eva, her assistant, intercepted her with a tablet in hand and a beaming grin.

"Here's your schedule, boss. Ten o'clock, meeting with Straton Banking. Eleven, video hearing with Madrid. Two p.m., evidence review for the Winters case. And…"

Kate took a sip of coffee while Eva kept going. She paused to skim a file on a side cabinet.

"Oh, almost forgot," Eva added, like it had just come to her. "You've got a new client."

Kate glanced up.

"A new one?"

"Yup. And so hot, by the way. Impeccable. The kind that walks in and the whole floor goes silent. And according to reception… he's loaded. Like, seriously loaded." She nudged Kate with a playful elbow. "And he specifically asked for you."

Kate blinked, thrown off.

"For me?"

"Yep. Said that he wanted 'the best lawyer in London.'"

Kate raised an eyebrow.

"And where is he now?"

"In your office."

Kate nodded, handing Eva the coffee she no longer wanted. Out of nowhere, a strange pressure built in her chest. She ignored it and headed toward her office, but paused right before the door.

She straightened her dress, ran a hand over her bun to make sure everything was in place, and took a deep breath.

"Come on, Kate. Just another client. Put on the smile."

She opened the door.

"Good mor—"

The word caught in her throat. Her entire body froze.

Her heart stopped for one long, shattering second.

Because sitting in front of her desk, as composed and striking as ever, was Grayson Maxwell, her husband.

Same jet-black hair. Same ice-blue eyes. The same ones Oliver had inherited. Dark suit, powerful posture, rich, refined, and devastatingly intimidating.

Grayson didn't bother hiding the way his gaze swept over her, slowly. From her heels to the line of her neck, pausing at her crimson lips. Remembering the taste.

She was the same woman he'd walked away from seven years ago.

Only now… she was even more dangerous.

Even more beautiful.

And still his.

But, like before, he forced the emotion back down and kept his face unreadable. With calm control, he stood up.

He stepped forward and extended his hand.

"Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Langley."

Kate snapped herself out of the shock.

She inhaled sharply. Straightened her back. Let her expression fall into that cool, practiced mask she wore so well. Then, with the same collected grace, she reached for his hand.

"A pleasure… Mr…"

"Maxwell," he said, holding her gaze.

The touch of his hand had been brief… but electric. A silent jolt passed between them. They both felt it. Neither said a word.

That's when Kate noticed her.

Sitting beside the desk, legs crossed, body reclined in a pose that tried too hard to look casual, was a woman. She wasn't smiling.

She stood slowly and pressed herself against Grayson, looping her arm through his with practiced, deliberate possessiveness.

The woman looked Kate up and down. Then, without taking her eyes off her, she spoke—but only to Grayson.

"She's the one handling my divorce?"

Kate raised an eyebrow, just slightly.

Grayson didn't move. He didn't look at the woman. His gaze stayed locked on Kate. He couldn't seem to help it.

"Yes. She's the best in the city. So she'll make sure… you're free."

Kate caught the weight in those last two words. Like they weren't meant just for the client. Like they were meant for her.

"Are you sure?" the woman pressed, her tone sharp. "She doesn't look like she has much experience with delicate or high-profile cases…"

Kate let out a quiet, ironic laugh.

She closed the door behind her, then walked to her desk with that same deadly elegance. She sat, crossed her legs, and met the woman's gaze head-on.

"Oh, delicate cases," Kate repeated, one brow arched with just a hint of a smile. "Don't worry. I've handled cases more complicated than your plastic surgery history."

Grayson turned his face slightly. But the tight line of his lips betrayed him. He was amused.

And more than that… he was surprised by that sharp tongue.

He didn't remember her being like this. And he liked it more than he'd ever admit.

The woman who was clearly annoyed, forced a polite smile and extended her hand.

"I'm Sienna Rowe. Gray's girlfriend."

Kate blinked.

As if the words didn't quite register.

"His… girlfriend?"

Sienna's smile widened with smug satisfaction. She clutched Grayson's arm tighter.

"That's right."

Kate swallowed hard. But no one would've noticed. Her expression didn't change. Her posture didn't falter.

She was a lawyer. A professional. A woman who had learned how to bury everything deep.

Even though, inside, her world had just tilted off its axis.