Morning came softly.
Not with urgency. Not with noise.
But with a quiet kind of light that slipped through the curtains and settled gently over everything it touched.
Maya woke first.
Her eyes opened slowly, her lashes fluttering as she adjusted to the soft glow of early dawn. For a moment, she didn't move. She simply lay there, breathing—steady, calm, aware.
Alive.
The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
Tatiana, who was always awake before the sun fully rose, was still asleep. Adela, who never missed a moment to fuss or check on her, was curled comfortably on the foldable bed.
And then—
Her gaze shifted.
Rege.
He was seated beside her bed, exactly where he had been the night before.
His elbow rested on the arm of the chair, his head slightly tilted, supported by his hand beneath his chin. Even in sleep, his posture carried that same quiet authority, that same controlled strength that never seemed to leave him.
Maya blinked.
And stared.
He looked… unreal.
Too composed. Too striking. Too—
Beautiful.
Her lips curved faintly.
His long lashes rested against his skin, absurdly thick and dark—so unfairly perfect that she almost felt offended on behalf of every woman alive. They softened his otherwise sharp, commanding features, making him look… younger.
Almost like a grumpy, beautiful child forced into stillness.
Her smile deepened slightly.
Before meeting him, she had thought Liam was the most handsome man she had ever seen.
But now—
She almost laughed at herself.
How little she had known.
Rege was not just handsome.
He was—
Something else entirely.
Something that didn't quite belong in the same category as ordinary men.
Her gaze lingered.
Soft.
Curious.
But reality came back just as quietly as the morning itself.
Her bladder.
Maya's expression shifted immediately.
Oh no.
She needed to pee.
Badly.
Her eyes flickered toward Tatiana. Then to Adela.
Still asleep.
She hesitated.
She didn't want to wake anyone.
Not after everything.
Not after how exhausted they all were.
Her lips pressed together slightly.
She could do this.
Carefully.
Slowly.
Without disturbing anyone.
Determined, she began to move.
She lifted the blanket gently, inch by inch, her movements cautious, deliberate. Sitting up alone felt like a task, her body still weak, her limbs heavy, her head slightly light.
The injections connected to her hand didn't make it any easier.
Still—
She tried.
She pushed herself up slowly, careful not to make a sound.
And then—
A sharp prick.
She winced softly.
Barely audible.
But it was enough.
Rege's eyes opened instantly.
No hesitation. No confusion.
Just awareness.
He was on his feet before she could even react.
And before she could say a word—
He lifted her.
Effortlessly.
Maya's breath caught in her throat.
She bit down on her lower lip immediately, stopping the sound that threatened to escape her.
Her heart jumped.
Fast.
Unsteady.
Because—
He was holding her.
Close.
Too close.
One arm supported her securely, while the other steadied the infusion stand with practiced ease, as though he had done this countless times before.
And yet—
He hadn't.
Maya's fingers curled lightly against his shirt.
Unconsciously.
Instinctively.
She felt safe.
Warm.
Her body reacted before her mind could catch up.
She leaned into him slightly.
And then—
Without realizing—
She snuggled closer.
Rege felt it.
Of course he did.
His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
Because her warmth—
Her closeness—
The soft rhythm of her heartbeat against him—
It did something to him.
Something deep.
Something quiet—
But powerful.
He could hear it.
Her heartbeat.
Fast.
Alive.
And his—
Matching it.
Her scent wrapped around him.
Soft.
Sweet.
Vanilla.
It settled into his senses, grounding and unraveling him at the same time.
And when she leaned closer—
Something shifted.
Not desire alone.
Not control alone.
Something deeper.
Something far more dangerous.
He didn't just want her.
He needed her.
The realization settled quietly—
But completely.
He said nothing.
Did nothing beyond what was necessary.
But everything inside him—
Had changed.
He carried her into the washroom without a sound.
Even holding her and the stand—
He moved silently.
Controlled.
Careful.
Maya noticed.
Of course she did.
For someone so big—
So strong—
He moved like silence itself.
He opened the door gently and placed her on the toilet seat with careful precision.
"I am outside if you need anything," he said quietly, his voice low, steady.
"Just say my name."
And then he stepped out.
The door closed softly.
Maya exhaled.
Her fingers rested lightly against her lap as she sat there, suddenly very aware of the absence.
His warmth—
Gone.
Too quickly.
And even though he was just outside—
She felt it.
The distance.
Strange.
Unfamiliar.
Confusing.
She frowned slightly to herself.
Why did she feel like that?
She shook her head lightly and focused on what she needed to do.
But even as she did—
Her thoughts drifted.
Back to him.
To the way he had held her.
To the way she had felt—
Safe.
And something else she couldn't quite name.
When she finished, she stood slowly.
Carefully.
And then—
She decided.
A shower.
She needed one.
She felt—
Unclean.
She moved toward the bathtub.
One step.
Two—
Her balance shifted.
Her body faltered.
And before she could fall—
He was there.
Again.
Fast.
Immediate.
As if he had been waiting.
He caught her easily and lifted her once more.
Maya's breath hitched.
Again.
Her hands instinctively found him.
Holding.
Clinging—
Just slightly.
He said nothing.
Just carried her.
And placed her gently into the bathtub.
Her cheeks flushed faintly.
Embarrassment creeping in.
She looked away.
But—
She couldn't help it.
Her eyes drifted back to him.
Watching.
Because he looked—
Focused.
Careful.
Intent.
He removed the infusions from the injections in her hand slowly.
Carefully.
Precisely.
Every movement deliberate—measured to the smallest detail.
As if the slightest miscalculation would hurt her.
And that—
Was not something he would allow.
Maya noticed.
Of course she did.
She noticed everything about him.
The way his fingers steadied her wrist before he moved.
The way his touch never lingered longer than necessary—
Yet never felt distant.
It was controlled.
But not cold.
Never cold.
He had watched the nurse do it once.
Just once.
And somehow—
He had memorized it.
Perfectly.
A fast learner wasn't enough to describe it.
It was instinct.
Precision.
Discipline.
And something else—
Something quieter.
Something that made him treat her like she might break.
He felt her gaze on him.
He didn't look up.
But he knew.
And strangely—
He didn't dislike it.
If anything—
He welcomed it.
More than he should.
"Can I help you with it?" he asked quietly, his voice low, husky, controlled—referring to her clothes.
Maya shook her head almost immediately.
"It's okay… I can do it."
Soft.
Polite.
But firm.
Rege didn't argue.
Didn't insist.
He simply straightened—
And turned around.
His back facing her instantly.
Giving her privacy.
Without stepping away.
Close enough—
If she needed him.
Far enough—
To respect her.
Maya's lips curved faintly.
She didn't understand him.
Not completely.
But she understood this—
He was careful with her.
In ways no one had ever been before.
She removed her trousers slowly.
Carefully.
Then reached for her top—
But the needle tugged slightly.
A sharp sting.
She winced.
Soft.
Barely audible.
But he heard it.
Of course he did.
He turned instantly.
Eyes already closed.
No hesitation.
No question.
Just action.
He stepped closer and helped her remove the top.
Careful.
Precise.
Never once opening his eyes.
Maya watched him.
The entire time.
And then—
A soft chuckle escaped her lips.
Unintended.
Unfiltered.
Rege paused.
Just for a second.
Her laughter—
Light.
Soft.
It caught him off guard.
Something in his chest shifted.
The corner of his lips lifted slightly.
Barely noticeable.
But real.
His fingers brushed lightly against her back as he finished.
And—
Everything stopped.
For both of them.
It wasn't just touch.
It was something sharper.
Deeper.
An electric current that traveled through her skin—
Straight into her spine.
Maya froze.
Her breath caught.
Her fingers tightened slightly against her sides.
And for him—
It was worse.
Much worse.
His entire body tensed.
His jaw tightened.
Something unfamiliar—
Dangerous—
Moved beneath his control.
But he didn't stop.
He couldn't.
He finished what he started.
Carefully.
Deliberately.
Until she was completely undressed.
His eyes remained closed the entire time.
Not once faltering.
Not once betraying himself.
He turned away slightly.
Reached for the washcloth.
Turned on the water.
The sound filled the space—
Soft.
Steady.
Grounding.
He tested the temperature before guiding her gently into the tub.
Warm water enveloped her.
Soothing.
Relieving.
Maya exhaled.
A soft sound slipped past her lips.
Unintentional.
Natural.
Rege froze.
Just for half a second.
Then continued.
He dipped the washcloth into the water.
Wringing it slightly.
And began.
Slow.
Careful.
Intentional.
He cleaned her arm first.
Avoiding unnecessary contact.
His movements precise.
Disciplined.
Controlled.
But even then—
He could feel her.
Her warmth.
Her presence.
Too close.
Too aware.
Maya watched him.
Silently.
Her eyes didn't leave him.
Because this—
This didn't make sense.
No one had ever taken care of her like this before.
No one had ever been this gentle.
This… attentive.
And yet—
Here he was.
A man who clearly belonged to a world far beyond hers—
Kneeling here.
Eyes closed.
Washing her like she was something fragile.
Something precious.
Something—
Worth protecting.
Her chest tightened slightly.
Not from pain.
From something else.
Something she didn't understand.
He moved to her shoulder.
Her collarbone.
Careful.
Always careful.
Avoiding anything that could be misunderstood.
Avoiding himself.
More than anything.
And yet—
The air between them thickened.
Not from touch.
From restraint.
When he finished—
He drained the water.
Reached for a towel.
And began drying her.
Slowly.
Gently.
The fabric created distance—
But not enough.
Not nearly enough.
His touch—
Even through the towel—
Felt warm.
Too warm.
Too present.
When he reached her chest—
There was the slightest pause.
Not hesitation.
Control.
Adjustment.
Then he continued.
Methodical.
Focused.
Like it meant nothing.
Like it affected him—
Not at all.
Maya tried to look away.
She really did.
But it was impossible.
He stood there—
Eyes closed.
Composed.
Completely in control—
And yet she could feel it.
The tension beneath.
The restraint.
The effort.
And that—
That made it worse.
When he reached her thighs—
Everything became too much.
Too intense.
Too close.
"I can manage from here," she said quickly, almost breathless as she took the towel from him.
He stepped back immediately.
Turned around.
No hesitation.
No resistance.
His back facing her again.
Silent.
Respectful.
Maya finished quickly.
Her face flushed deeply.
Heat spreading across her skin.
Embarrassment.
Something else.
Something unfamiliar.
"Can you… hand me the clothes…" she muttered softly.
He reached for them without a word.
Turned back—
Eyes still closed.
And helped her dress.
Careful.
Efficient.
Never once breaking that line.
And strangely—
When she was fully clothed—
The embarrassment faded.
Replaced by something softer.
Quieter.
Safer.
She felt…
At ease.
He picked up the dryer next.
Plugged it in.
And began drying her hair.
Slow.
Patient.
The warm air moved through her long strands.
His fingers followed.
Gentle.
Untangling.
Smoothing.
He combed it afterward.
Carefully.
Like it mattered.
Maya watched him through the mirror.
Her eyes soft.
Her lips curved faintly.
He was focused.
Composed.
Unshaken.
And yet—
She could feel it.
That invisible pull.
She leaned back slightly.
Relaxing.
Without thinking.
Without realizing—
She leaned into him.
And then—
Sleep came.
Soft.
Sudden.
A quiet sigh left her lips as her body went slack against him.
Rege stilled.
His jaw tightened.
His eyes closed briefly.
Control.
He needed control.
He set the comb down.
Slid one arm beneath her legs.
The other behind her back.
And lifted her.
Effortless.
Silent.
She snuggled closer instantly.
Instinctively.
As if she belonged there.
As if she had always belonged there.
Something in him snapped tight.
He carried her back to the bed.
Laid her down gently.
Carefully.
Slowly.
But as he pulled away—
Her arms tightened around his neck.
Holding him there.
Close.
Too close.
His entire body locked.
Her breath brushed against his skin.
Warm.
Soft.
Alive.
Her scent surrounded him.
Vanilla.
Sweet.
Intoxicating.
His jaw clenched.
His fists tightened at his sides.
Everything in him—
Everything—
Strained.
He looked at her.
At her face.
Peaceful.
Unaware.
Her lips—
His breath slowed.
Controlled.
Measured.
Then—
Slowly—
Carefully—
He leaned down.
And pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Soft.
Gentle.
Restrained.
And still—
It felt like too much.
He pulled away immediately.
Carefully removing her arms.
Reconnecting the infusions with practiced precision.
Then stepping back.
Distance.
He needed distance.
He sat down.
Ordered breakfast.
And waited.
—
Two hours later—
Maya woke to the scent of food.
Warm.
Inviting.
Her stomach responded instantly.
A quiet protest.
She opened her eyes slowly—
And saw him.
Standing there.
Watching her.
That same restrained expression.
But this time—
There was something else.
A faint smirk.
Subtle.
Dangerous.
Her lips curved.
Soft.
She glanced down at the tray.
Too much food.
Of course.
The bed was already adjusted into a sitting position.
Maya noticed it immediately.
Of course she did.
A small, knowing smile touched her lips.
She didn't need to ask.
It was him.
It had his precision all over it.
Her gaze dropped to the tray resting on her lap—
And she blinked.
"That's… too much," she murmured under her breath, almost amused.
The portions alone could feed two people.
Maybe three.
She glanced up—
And there he was.
Standing there.
Watching her.
That same composed expression on his face—
But there was something else beneath it.
Something quieter.
Something… satisfied.
He moved without a word and sat beside her on the bed, already reaching for the tray—
Intent clear.
He was going to feed her.
Again.
Maya couldn't help it.
A soft chuckle slipped past her lips as she shook her head lightly.
"I can handle this on my own, I am not handicapped," she said, smiling—gentle, but firm.
Rege stilled.
For a fraction of a second.
Because that smile—
That light in her eyes—
It did something to him.
Something immediate.
Something absolute.
And in that moment—
He knew.
Truly knew.
If she asked for anything—
Anything at all—
He would give it to her.
Without hesitation.
Without question.
The world.
If she wanted it.
He said nothing.
Just gave a single nod.
And stepped back.
Returning to the chair beside the bed.
But his eyes—
Never left her.
Maya adjusted the tray slightly and began eating.
Slowly at first.
Then with more ease.
Her body responding to the food even if her pride tried to pretend otherwise.
For a while—
There was silence.
Not uncomfortable.
Just… present.
Then—
She spoke.
"You look exhausted," she said softly, her voice quieter now. "I think you should get some rest at home, I am fine. I appreciate your care and concern but, Tatiana and Adela are here besides you are not obligated to take care of me."
Her gaze didn't meet his.
It lingered on the tray instead.
On the food.
Anywhere but him.
Rege watched her.
Carefully.
Taking in the way she avoided his eyes.
The way her voice softened on certain words.
The way she tried to create distance—
Even now.
"I know," he said.
And his voice—
It was different.
Softer than she had ever heard it before.
Quieter.
Less guarded.
"But I just want to be here and I am not tired, don't worry your pretty head over that."
Maya blinked.
Then looked up at him.
Really looked at him.
And then—
Her expression shifted.
Brightened.
"Wow."
Rege's brow lifted slightly.
Confusion.
Mild curiosity.
She smiled.
Openly this time.
"This is the most you've said to me since we met, so it's wow," she said, clearly amused.
For a moment—
He just stared at her.
And then—
A quiet chuckle left him.
Low.
Unforced.
Real.
Maya's eyes widened just slightly.
"You can laugh too?" she teased lightly, her tone playful now. "I didn't know you could say that much words, you always seem intimidating."
Another chuckle escaped him.
Softer this time.
"I didn't know you saw me as intimidating," he said, his voice still carrying that same rare softness.
Maya snorted lightly.
A quiet, unrefined sound that didn't match the elegance people might expect from her—
But somehow—
It suited her.
"Well… you are," she murmured. "Or you were."
A pause.
Her voice softened just a little more.
"But you are not so intimidating anymore."
And then—
It happened again.
That shift.
The air changed.
The space between them—
Tightened.
Stilled.
Their eyes met.
And neither of them looked away.
There was no sound.
No movement.
Just—
Recognition.
Something unspoken.
Something neither of them fully understood—
But both of them felt.
Deeply.
Rege's gaze darkened slightly.
Not in a way that threatened.
But in a way that revealed.
Something beneath the surface.
Something restrained.
Something… intentional.
"Thanks, Krasota," he said quietly.
The word settled between them.
Soft.
Foreign.
Intimate.
And just like that—
The moment fractured.
Movement stirred behind them.
Tatiana.
Adela.
Reality returning.
Tatiana rose first.
Graceful.
Composed even in something as simple as waking.
Adela followed shortly after, letting out a soft yawn as she stretched slightly.
"Good morning everyone," Adela greeted lightly, her voice still carrying sleep.
Maya lowered her gaze back to her food.
Almost instinctively.
As if the moment that had just passed—
Was something to be tucked away.
Hidden.
Protected.
Rege didn't move.
Didn't speak.
But his eyes—
Remained on her.
Steady.
Unwavering.
Maya could feel it.
That gaze.
She should have found it intrusive.
Overwhelming.
Too much.
But—
She didn't.
If anything—
She felt…
Comfortable.
Strangely so.
More than comfortable.
She liked it.
More than she was willing to admit.
Tatiana and Adela moved toward the washroom to freshen up.
The room fell quiet again—
But not the same kind of quiet as before.
This one carried something else.
Something heavier.
Something newly formed.
Minutes later—
They stepped out.
Fresh.
Composed.
Put together once more.
Tatiana approached the bed first.
Her eyes scanning Maya instinctively.
Assessing.
Always assessing.
"Come dear, you need to freshen up," she said calmly.
Maya shook her head lightly.
"I have already freshened up."
Tatiana's gaze sharpened slightly.
A silent question.
Maya hesitated for the briefest moment—
Then said simply,
"Rege helped me this dawn."
Tatiana held her gaze for a second longer.
Then nodded once.
No questions.
No visible reaction.
But she understood.
Adela glanced between them, then at the tray in Maya's lap.
"And it seems you've eaten breakfast already," she added casually.
"Your breakfast is on the table," Rege said, his voice returning to its usual composed tone as he glanced toward it.
Their eyes followed his.
The tray sat neatly arranged.
Covered.
Untouched.
Adela shrugged lightly.
"Well, that works."
And just like that—
They moved toward it.
The morning continued.
Normal.
Almost.
But beneath it—
Something had shifted.
Something neither of them had named.
And neither of them—
Could ignore.