He paused.
Just for a second.
Then he stepped into the private elevator.
The doors began to close.
Slowly.
Silently.
And just as they were about to shut completely—
His hand shot forward, stopping them with a sharp movement.
“f**k this…” he muttered, frustration and something far stronger breaking through.
Without another thought, he forced the doors open again and stepped back out, his movements fast, decisive, driven by something he was no longer trying to suppress.
In a few long strides, he crossed the penthouse, his presence intense, purposeful.
He stopped in front of her door.
Knocked.
Once.
Twice.
Harder this time.
Impatient.
A few seconds passed.
Then the door opened.
Iva stood there, her expression guarded at first, confusion flickering across her features as she
