CHAPTER 031: Driving To Jessica's

Caspian's POV

I'm a happy man. For the first time in forty-three years, I feel like I’m actually living. Desiree has made me realize that I've been unhappy all my life. I thought contentment was something I could buy, something I could control with power, money, and influence. But it turns out, happiness is more elusive than any of that—it’s found in the most unexpected places, like in the fire of a woman who challenges me at every turn.

I watch her as she taps away at her phone, her brow furrowed in frustration as she tries to reach her best friend. She’s been dialing Jessica’s number for the past few minutes, and each time it goes straight to voicemail. The more it happens, the more her expression hardens, like she’s preparing for the worst.

“Still nothing?” I ask, though I already know the answer.

She shakes her head, her lips pressing into a thin line. “It’s weird. Jess never ignores my calls like this. Especially not after I tell her it’s important.” She punches in the number ag