Lena clenched her hands beneath the table, torn between fury and the uncomfortable truth behind his words.
For the first time that evening, the warmth of the villa faded, replaced by the stark reminder that this marriage—this life they were planning—was already shaping into a battlefield neither of them knew how to leave unscathed.
--
Zayn exhaled slowly, as if forcing himself to dial everything down before it spiraled further.
“I’m not trying to upset you,” he said at last, his tone lower, controlled. “Especially not in your condition.”
Lena folded her arms, unconvinced.
“But you leaving that job,” he continued, eyes steady on hers, “is non-negotiable.”
Her lips parted in protest, but he raised a hand, stopping her before she could launch another argument.
“Stop being stubborn, Le
