Chapter 313

Madison

I stared into my coffee mug, watching the steam curl upward in lazy spirals as sunlight streamed through my bedroom window. Last night’s dreams had been filled with Alexander, his hands, his mouth, his commanding presence. Even now, hours after waking, I could still feel the ghost of his touch on my skin.

I took a long sip, savoring the bitter warmth as I scrolled through my phone. No messages from him yet today. Not surprising. It was barely 7 AM, and Alexander rarely texted before 8 unless it was urgent.

Setting my mug on the nightstand, I headed to the bathroom, peeling off my oversized T-shirt as I went. The mirror reflected a woman I barely recognized sometimes, confident and with a subtle glow that hadn’t been there before Alexander Knight crashed into my life.

I stepped into the shower, letting hot water cascade over my body as my thoughts drifted back to him. Something had shifted since Katherine’s appearance at the gala. Nothing dramat