Chapter 4. A New Life

Becca's POV

As the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, time blurred into a comforting routine of shared moments.

Zane and I had grown closer than I ever thought possible. His presence felt like a steady anchor, grounding me when everything else seemed uncertain. Every time he returned home, my heart raced a little faster, warmth spreading through me.

His house was enormous, almost overwhelming, when I first arrived. Three stories tall, with fourteen beautifully decorated rooms, each with its own private bathroom. Our bedrooms were on the second floor, while the ground floor had a huge kitchen filled with top-quality appliances, a large dining room, and a cozy living area where we often relaxed. There was also an office space, a laundry room, and plenty of extra storage.

Two professional maids came three times a week to keep the place spotless. They handled everything from dusting to laundry, leaving the house in perfect order. Zane had made it clear from the start—I wasn’t allowed to lift a finger when it came to chores. He’d tease me, saying my hands were too delicate for scrubbing floors, always flashing that playful smile of his. At first, it felt strange, almost suffocating to be taken care of like that. But his genuine kindness made it easier to settle in, and before long, it felt more like a home than a mansion.

Living with Zane felt a bit awkward at first. We were still getting to know each other, yet his openness and warmth dissolved the tension quickly. He was easy to be around, like we’d known each other for years. Our bond grew stronger with every shared meal and quiet evening. I often cooked dinner, and he always cleaned his plate, complimenting me every time.

Lately, things have started to shift between us. His greetings had become more affectionate—he’d press a gentle kiss to my neck when he returned home, sending shivers through me. After dinner, we’d curl up together on the couch to watch the evening news, my head resting in his lap while he held me close. It felt so natural. So safe.

On weekends, he often took me to the nicest restaurants in town. I couldn't help but notice the way people, especially women, stared when we walked in. Zane had this magnetic energy that seemed to draw attention wherever he went. And the way he focused all his attention on me? It made me feel special, even if I wasn't sure how I deserved it.

At first, I slept in a room three doors down from his. But last week, I moved into the room next to his. I told myself it was for convenience—so I wouldn’t wake him with my early morning cooking. But the truth was, hearing him so close made me feel... safe.

Each morning, the sound of his shower would wake me, and I’d rush downstairs to make his breakfast, hoping it would brighten his day.

Zane was undeniably gorgeous, and his gentle way of caring for me made it harder to fight the feelings that were growing inside me. If it weren’t for the lingering ache from Elyon’s betrayal, I might have already fallen for him completely. Still, I kept repeating the same thing in my head: we were just friends. We were comfortable, close... nothing more.

But was that really true? His lingering touches. The way his arm rested a little longer around my waist. The way he looked at me when he thought I wasn’t paying attention.

One evening, I had fallen asleep with my head on his lap while we watched TV. When I woke the next morning, I was still there, wrapped securely in his arms. Since then, I had pretended to fall asleep more than once just to feel the comfort of being held by him.

"Becca, want to go to the beach today?" Zane asked one morning, his voice pulling me from my thoughts. "There's a party going on. Could be fun."

The idea sparked excitement in me. Spending a carefree day at the beach with him sounded perfect. "Sure! Bikini or full?" I teased, grinning.

He groaned, rolling his eyes. "Full. Definitely full."

I laughed, slipping the one-piece swimsuit he had bought me into my bag. It was modest but still flattering, hugging my curves without revealing too much. He couldn’t complain—it was his pick after all.

When I had first arrived here, I had nothing but the clothes on my back. Zane insisted on taking me shopping despite my protests. He bought me everything—clothes, shoes, even accessories—spending more money than I could process. I felt overwhelmed, but he had just smiled, saying, "Who else am I going to spoil? Let me do this, Becca."

It made me wonder about his life before I came along. He was clearly wealthy, but there was still so much I didn’t know. I planned to ask him more about it tonight.

At the beach, Zane carried our picnic basket while we searched for a spot on the sand. The sun warmed my skin, and the scent of salt filled the air as the waves rolled gently onto the shore. We signed up for a beach volleyball match, ending up on opposite teams.

The game quickly became competitive, with both of us teasing each other across the net. Near the final round, I raised an eyebrow at him, smirking. "Zane, how about a bet? If my team wins, you cook dinner and do the dishes tonight."

His grin widened. "And if my team wins?"

I bit my lip, pretending to think it over. "Anything you want."

The crowd whistled at my challenge, clearly entertained. "Deal," he replied, voice low with confidence.

Of course, his team won.

"Pay up, beautiful lady," he teased, tilting my chin gently. Before I could react, his lips brushed against mine, soft and lingering, sending a cascade of warmth through my entire body.

The sudden cascade of sensation coursing through me like wildfire made me shudder uncontrollably; instinctively, I opened my lips for him.

We became lost in a fiery kiss. Only when we heard the whistles and cheers around us again did we pull away.

My heart raced as I met his gaze, the truth undeniable. Our relationship was no longer as innocent as I had told myself. And I wasn’t sure I wanted it to be.