Jayden's heart skipped. His eyes widened; he hadn't expected that… not tonight, not this fast, not like this. For her to say those words… it stunned him. He could almost hear his pulse in his ears, hammering against his ribs, louder than the soft hum of the car's engine.

Penelope's confession still lingered in the air like smoke.

Penelope, meanwhile, immediately regretted it. Her mind spun in a thousand directions at once. Her cheeks burned, heat rising to her ears. She looked away, pressing her lips together as if she could stuff the words back inside her chest.

"Why did I say that?" she scolded herself. The words had slipped, unbidden, leaving her exposed and vulnerable. She wasn't supposed to say them. Not yet.

Jayden noticed her turmoil. He didn't move at first. He just studied her — the nervous flutter of her lashes, the way she chewed on her lower lip, the faint tremble in her hands. For a girl who often looked untouchable, Penelope suddenly looked… fragile. Vulnerable.

Something in him stirred.

Slowly, Jayden reached out, his hand steady, his touch gentle. He cupped her face, tilting it toward him. His thumb brushed her chin with such tenderness it almost undid her.

Her purple eyes met his golden ones. For a moment, the entire world outside the tinted windows ceased to exist.

"Penelope…" he whispered.

The way he said her name sent a shiver through her body. A soft gasp escaped her lips before she could stop it. It lit something deep inside her, something warm, something she hadn't felt in years.. not since before the weight of family expectations and responsibilities had chained her heart.

Jayden leaned in slightly, close enough that his breath fanned across her skin, close enough that his words could have bridged the final distance between them. His chest tightened with the weight of words clawing to be spoken.

"I… I lo—"

Knock. Knock.

"Ms. Isley?!"

The sharp rap on the glass and the voice outside shattered the fragile moment like glass splintering on marble.

Both Jayden and Penelope jolted apart, hearts racing, nerves raw.

Penelope whipped her head toward the window, her face still flushed. Standing there, framed by the glow of the estate's lanterns, was a woman in her late forties. Her hair was a glossy shade of purple, tied neatly into a ponytail that gleamed under the light. Her posture and uniform spoke volumes… crisp, formal, immaculate.

This was Mabel, Penelope's head maid. Unlike the younger, less disciplined servants, Mabel carried herself with authority, her gaze sharp but maternal.

She peered through the tinted window, her brow creased with concern. "Ms. Isley? Are you alright? I saw the car land, but no one came out. I worried something might have happened."

Penelope forced a chuckle, though her face was still burning from the earlier moment with Jayden. She waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry, Mabel. I'm fine. I'll be out in a sec."

Mabel sighed and stepped back respectfully, satisfied and relieved.

Inside the car, silence lingered. Jayden still looked dazed, half-embarrassed, half-thrilled.

Penelope caught his look, smirked knowingly, and leaned back in her seat. "Don't worry," she teased softly, "The window's tinted."

Jayden exhaled, tension leaving his shoulders. He smirked back, feigning bravado. "I… I wasn't worried about that." he claimed.

Penelope giggled, the sound light and melodic. She shook her head in amusement. "Sure you weren't." she teased.

Then with practiced grace, she pushed her door open and stepped out into the cool night.

Jayden followed, the crisp air cooling the fire still racing through his chest.

Immediately, Mabel swarmed her mistress like a mother hen, her words tumbling in quick succession. "Are you alright, Penelope? Was the party enjoyable? I hope no one troubled you."

Penelope chuckled softly, patting her maid's hand in reassurance. "I'm fine, Mabel. The party was… nice. And as for trouble…" She glanced over her shoulder at Jayden, her eyes softening into a smile. "I had my white knight protecting me."

Jayden's lips curved upward in a small, understated smile.. but one that carried undeniable weight.

Mabel caught it. She always caught things. The connection between them wasn't lost on her, and though she masked her amusement behind her formal tone, mischief flickered in her sharp eyes.

"That's lovely, Miss. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself," she said before turning deliberately toward Jayden. Her voice carried a note of polite curiosity.. and something else beneath it.

"And will Master Starrk be sleeping over tonight?" she asked innocently.

The question hit like a thunderclap.

Both Jayden and Penelope froze, eyes wide, caught completely off guard.

Penelope reacted first, stammering as she turned quickly to Jayden. "Well, I'm sure Jayden prefers the comfort of his own bed. It's best not to inconvenience him. Right, Jayden?" Her words were diplomatic, but her eyes betrayed her. She was clearly desperate, hopeful, pleading that he'd stayed.

Jayden saw it. But he didn't want to fall so easily.

He shrugged lightly, his tone casual but tinged with warmth. "Actually… I don't mind. But Jacob and Harleen will probably worry if I don't get back tonight, so… I'm sorry."

Mabel tilted her head, her voice perfectly polite, though her eyes gleamed like a cat who had cornered her prey. "I understand. Though that's a shame. I already prepared a room for you, Master Starrk. After all, it's already late."

Penelope blinked, stunned. Her mind spun. She wanted to scold Mabel for overstepping, yet she wanted to hug her for being so perfectly manipulative. Because if there was one thing she knew about Jayden… it was that he hated wasted effort.

Her eyes lingered on him, hopeful, waiting.

Jayden sighed, defeated by the unspoken plea in Penelope's gaze and the clever trap Mabel had set. He rubbed the back of his neck. "You know what? I'll stay. That is… if you'll have me."

Penelope arched a brow, masking her excitement behind a measured tone. "Are you sure? What about Jacob and Harleen?"

Jayden shrugged again, relaxed, easy. "I'm sure they won't mind one sleepover."

Penelope gleamed. Her lips curved into a smile that bloomed like dawn, barely contained. "Very well then. Come inside."

Mabel's eyes sparkled in silent triumph.

Together, the three of them crossed the threshold into the grand house. The foyer stretched before them, marble floors gleaming under crystal chandeliers. Penelope asked softly after Cassandra, and Mabel assured her she was already asleep in her wing of the house.

"Good," Penelope murmured. "She must be exhausted. I should head to bed myself."

With one last, lingering glance at Jayden… a glance that said more than words ever could, she whispered, "Goodnight." and drifted gracefully toward the stairs, heading straight to her chambers

Jayden stood there a moment, watching her disappear down the long, velvet-lined hall.

Then Mabel turned smoothly to him, composure intact. "This way, Master Starrk."

She led him through quieter halls, their footsteps echoing against polished stone. Eventually, they stopped before a finely carved oak door inlaid with silver vines. She opened it and gestured him inside.

The guest room was magnificent. High-arched ceilings draped in silk curtains, golden light from ornate lamps, a four-poster bed dressed in velvet sheets. A grand oak wardrobe stood against the wall, and beside the bed, laid neatly, was a set of brand-new pajamas.

"Do you require anything else?" Mabel asked.

Jayden shook his head politely. "No. Thank you."

She inclined her head, satisfied. "Then goodnight, Master Starrk. Rest well."

The door clicked softly behind her.

Jayden exhaled deeply, finally alone. His gaze wandered the room… the luxurious bed, the silks, the pajamas folded with precision. He chuckled under his breath, amused at the care put into everything.

He changed quickly, folding his clothes neatly over a chair, before sinking into the mattress.

But rest did not come easily. The whirlwind of the night spun relentlessly in his mind… Kate's words, the whispers of the gala, Penelope's kiss, her words, her confession.

Eyes heavy, heart restless, Jayden stared up at the ceiling, shadows flickering across it like silent phantoms.

Somewhere in the estate, Penelope was lying awake too. Both of them unknowingly lost in the same thought.

And in the quiet of that room, Jayden thought silently to himself. He knew that night was far from over.