Chapter 36 Ms Julie
Dinner had ended hours ago, but sleep refused to come.
Elena lay on the wide bed, staring into the darkness behind her eye shield. She had done everything right—slid the soft fabric over her eyes, played her usual sleep-therapy playlist, slowed her breathing the way the app instructed. Ocean waves murmured softly from the speakers, followed by low instrumental hums designed to lull the mind into rest.
Nothing worked.
Her thoughts were too loud.
The penthouse was too quiet.
With a sigh, she pushed the covers aside and sat up. The room felt different at night—less like a guest room and more like borrowed space. She stood, paced once, twice, then crossed to the door and slipped out quietly.
The hallway lights were dimmed, casting soft golden shadows against the walls. Elena followed the corridor into the kitchen, the cool marble floor grounding her bare feet. She opened the fridge, the light spilling out, and took a bottle of water.
She had just twisted the cap open when a calm voice spoke behind her.
“Can’t sleep?”
Elena turned, startled for only a second.
Ms. Julie stood a few feet away, dressed in a simple night dress, her expression gentle rather than intrusive.
Elena exhaled. “No,” she admitted. “I tried, but sleep just wouldn’t come.”
Ms. Julie nodded slowly. “Ahh,” she said, as if that explained everything.
Elena took a small sip of water before asking, “What about you? Why are you still up?”
Ms. Julie gestured toward the back door. “I was just taking out the trash.”
Elena frowned slightly. “Shouldn’t the other maids be doing that? I mean… you’re the head maid.”
Ms. Julie chuckled softly, washing her hands at the sink. “Of course they can. But I like to do things myself sometimes. Keeps me busy. Keeps my mind quiet.”
Elena nodded. “I get that.”
A brief silence settled between them—not awkward, just thoughtful.
Ms. Julie dried her hands slowly, then glanced at Elena. “Tell me,” she said gently, “what do you think of your fiancé?”
Elena blinked. “My… my fiancé?”
Ms. Julie smiled faintly.
Elena cleared her throat. “He’s… a gentleman,” she said carefully.
Ms. Julie’s smile deepened. “Jaxon is a good man.”
Elena tilted her head. “Is he?”
Ms. Julie looked away for a moment, her gaze distant. “You have no idea,” she said quietly. “He’s been through a lot. A lot more than people realize.”
Elena felt curiosity stir. “What do you mean?”
Ms. Julie leaned against the counter. “Life hasn’t been kind to him. Loss, pressure, expectations… he learned very early to survive instead of feel. But deep down, he has a heart. He just doesn’t know what to do with it.”
Elena absorbed that in silence.
Then Ms. Julie smiled again, softer this time.
“My son told me about the contract.”
Elena froze. “Your… son?”
Ms. Julie nodded. “Yes. Damon.”
Elena stared. “Your son is Damon?”
Ms. Julie laughed lightly. “Yes. Are you shocked?”
“I—” Elena shook her head slowly. “I had no idea.”
Ms. Julie smiled knowingly. “Of course you didn’t.”
She turned fully toward Elena. “I know all of this is just an arrangement. A contract. And I know it will end someday. But…” she paused, studying Elena carefully, “…you both look good together.”
Elena scoffed softly. “Looks can be deceiving.”
Ms. Julie didn’t argue.
Instead, she glanced at the clock. “It’s quite late. You should try to get some rest. I believe you have work tomorrow.”
Elena nodded. “That’s right.”
She offered a small smile. “Good night, Ms. Julie.”
“Good night, Elena.”
Elena walked back to her room, her thoughts heavier than before—but somehow calmer too.
Some truths, once spoken, had a way of settling quietly into the heart.
The next morning came faster than Elena expected.
She woke to soft daylight filtering through the sheer curtains, painting pale patterns across the walls. For a moment, she lay still, listening to the unfamiliar silence of the penthouse—no city horns close enough, no neighbor’s television bleeding through walls. Just space. Controlled. Expensive quiet.
She pushed the covers aside and got ready for work.
Elena chose a white, short, layered gown—simple but elegant, the kind that spoke without trying too hard. She paired it with a black handbag, slipped on her heels, and took one last look at herself in the mirror. Composed. Professional. Untouched by the chaos that had quietly rearranged her life.
She left her room and headed downstairs.
The dining area was already alive.
Jaxon sat at the table, dressed sharply in a black suit, his tie perfectly aligned, cufflinks catching the light as he lifted a cup of coffee. The newspaper lay folded beside his plate, untouched but present, like a habit rather than a necessity.
He looked every bit like the man the world expected him to be—controlled, powerful, unreachable.
Elena paused for half a second.
Then she walked in fully and said, “Good morning,” to no one in particular.
Her voice was calm. Neutral.
Jaxon looked up.
Their eyes met briefly—just long enough for something unspoken to pass between them.
Surprise, maybe. Or acknowledgment. Or the lingering echo of last night’s tension.
“Morning,” he replied after a beat, his tone even.
Ms. Julie appeared almost immediately, as if summoned by the moment. “Good morning, Elena,” she said warmly. “Would you like breakfast?”
Elena nodded. “Just something light, please.”
Ms. Julie smiled and moved efficiently, placing a plate in front of her moments later. Elena sat down across from Jaxon, leaving a polite but noticeable distance between them.
They ate in silence.
Not uncomfortable. Just… careful.
Jaxon flipped a page of the newspaper without really reading it. Elena stirred her tea slowly, her spoon clinking softly against the cup. The sound echoed more than it should have.
“You’re leaving early,” Jaxon said eventually, glancing at her dress.
“Yes,” Elena replied. “I have meetings lined up.”
He nodded. “I’ll be out most of the day too.”
Another pause.
“About yesterday,” he added, his voice lower now, more restrained.
Elena lifted her gaze. “We agreed not to meddle in each other’s personal lives.”
A corner of his mouth twitched. “Right.”
She took a sip of her tea. “As long as we respect the rules.”
He leaned back slightly in his chair. “I always do.”
She almost smiled.
Almost.
Ms. Julie returned, clearing plates with deliberate cheerfulness, sensing the invisible lines drawn between them but choosing not to step over any.
Elena stood and adjusted her bag on her shoulder. “I’ll be back late.”
Jaxon rose as well—not to stop her, just… to stand. “Drive safely.”
She hesitated for a fraction of a second, then nodded. “You too.”
She walked out without looking back.
Jaxon remained standing, watching the space she’d just left, his jaw tightening slightly before he sat back down.
Some mornings didn’t need arguments.
Some were quiet enough to be dangerous.
Then he signaled Damon to get his car ready.