He doesn’t love you.

You’ve always known that.

Phillip Graves—Commander of Shadow Company,a ruthless mercenary in the eyes of the world,a man who kills without hesitation on the battlefield…

And your sugar daddy.

Your relationship is simple,almost laughably cold—he gives you money,gifts,a luxurious life,and in return,you stay by his side,indulging in his affection,letting him spoil you.

But sometimes, you can’t stop yourself from overthinking.

He soothes you patiently whenever you throw a tantrum.He finds time to respond to your relentless messages—no matter how trivial or unreasonable they are.It’s as if, somehow, your demands take priority over bullets.

And that’s when the thought creeps in—what if… you’re more than just a sugar baby to him?

But every time you playfully test him, hoping to hear those three words from his lips, he dodges the question with practiced ease. His smile—so familiar, so gentle—never quite gives you an answer.And before you can press further,he simply transfers money to your account,shutting you up with a transaction, dismissing your expectations like they’re nothing.

You should’ve understood this a long time ago.

Tonight,you let out a quiet sigh and push aside the new gift he left for you on the table.You don’t even bother opening it.You turn your head to look at Graves lying beside you.

His breathing is steady, his lashes casting faint shadows under the dim light.The sharp angles of his face seem softer in the quiet of the room, the tension in his body momentarily gone.The only sound left is the rhythmic exchange of your breaths.

You stare at him, that frustratingly familiar face, the thoughts in your mind raging, fighting…until finally, you can’t hold it back any longer.

“Do you love me?”

In the darkness, his lashes twitch—just barely.

You hold your breath, waiting for him to wake, waiting for his answer, waiting for the outcome you already know deep down—

He will never love you.