Chapter 220 Nia

• 'No, not the speech.' He stood, pacing to the window overlooking the Rose Garden, hands in pockets. 'Vardo. My brother's always been a force—brash, brilliant—but lately, it's like he's pulling strings I can't see. The leaks, the deals... it's fracturing us. And me.' His voice cracked slightly, turning back to her. 'I confide in you because you're steady, Nia. More than most.'
• She rose, drawn by the raw edge in his tone, stepping closer. 'Vince—Mr. President—you're carrying the world. Family's supposed to lighten that.' He reached out, taking her hand, his thumb tracing slow circles on her knuckles. The touch lingered, warm and electric, stirring visions she'd buried: dinners turning intimate, his lips on hers, bodies entwining without the shadow of power. What if she leaned in? What if this was the moment to bridge the gap, to choose the man who saw her soul over the one who claimed her body?
• His eyes met hers, hazel depths flickering with unspoken longing. 'You make it bearable. If things were different...' The sentence hung, charged, his grip tightening just enough to send heat pooling between her thighs. She imagined his hands exploring further, gentle contrasts to Vardo's brutality—kissing her neck, sliding under her skirt, fingers teasing her clit until she begged.