Riley's POV

"You look tired." Marcus said as he appeared beside me in the penthouse kitchen, his voice gentle. He moved quietly, like he was trying not to startle me. I was making tea, but my hands were still shaking from yesterday's humiliation.

I set down the teapot with a sharp clink. "I'm fine."

"No, you're not." He pulled out a chair at the small staff table, the legs scraping against the tile floor. "Sit. I'll make the tea."

I hesitated, watching his face for any sign that this was ...