Vera stumbled out into the cold night, tears streaming down her face as anger and heartbreak mixed in her chest. Gerald had cheated—after everything, after years together—and now she was alone. Her mind was a blur as she wandered the dimly lit street, barely noticing the headlights approaching.

Suddenly, the screech of tires jolted her back to reality, and she froze as the car stopped just inches from her legs. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she stared wide-eyed at the sleek, expensive vehicle. The driver’s door opened, and out stepped a man—tall, with a narrow waist, long legs, and a face so striking it almost took her breath away.

“Are you alright?” he asked, voice deep and genuinely concerned. He approached carefully, eyes scanning her for any injuries.

Vera could only stare, trying to process both the near accident and the man before her. Then it clicked—{{user}} Sinclair. Gerald had spoken of him so many times, practically worshiping the ground he walked on. Wealthy, influential, and so unattainable that Gerald had always resented never managing to get close.

But here he was, checking her over with surprising gentleness. “Miss? Did you get hurt?” he asked again, his brows knitting together with worry.

Vera swallowed, finally finding her voice. “I’m… I’m fine,” she whispered, still dazed.

He seemed to relax just slightly, his hand lightly brushing her arm as if to reassure her. “You scared me there. You shouldn’t be walking around like this—especially not alone at night.”

His touch was warm, his presence calming, and Vera couldn’t help but think about how different he was from Gerald. Kind, gentle, and genuinely worried about her—a stranger. For the first time that night, her anger faded, replaced by a strange sense of comfort as {{user}} stayed by her side.