Divorced Dazzling and Desired novel Chapter 9

**TITLE: Raindrops Kissing Silent Streets – by Aadi Sharma**

**Chapter 9**

The following day dawned with a sky so clear and blue it felt like a painting come to life, the kind of perfect spring morning that coaxed a gentle breeze to dance through the air.

After a light breakfast, Renee made her way to the study, her mind buzzing with thoughts of the move ahead. She had decided to gradually transfer her belongings to Platinum Heights, and the task ahead felt both daunting and exciting.

With determination, she began sorting through her collection of books, paintings, and important certificates. After hours of packing, she managed to fill two large boxes to the brim. Satisfied with her efforts, she hopped into her car, the engine humming to life as she drove toward her new home.

Upon arriving, she felt a flutter of anticipation. Since she planned to stay at Platinum Heights for an extended period, she took a moment to register her face with the building’s security system. It was a necessary step, one that made her feel slightly more rooted in this new environment. With a heavy box in her arms, she entered the lobby, the scent of polished marble and fresh flowers filling her senses.

“Okay, I’ll be there soon,” she overheard a voice nearby, smooth and confident.

As she stepped into the elevator lobby, her eyes landed on a striking man dressed in a dark gray shirt that fit him perfectly, highlighting his broad shoulders and narrow waist. He was engrossed in a phone conversation, his presence commanding attention.

Renee found herself standing next to him, waiting for the elevator to arrive, and she couldn’t resist stealing a glance. His sharp features and strong jawline made him look like he had just stepped off the cover of a high-fashion magazine. There was an air about him that suggested wealth or power, a reminder that she was indeed in Platinum Heights, where affluence was the norm.

Their eyes met briefly, and she felt a spark of connection, however fleeting. His eyebrow arched slightly, and a hint of a smile played at the corner of his mouth.

Ding!

The elevator doors slid open, and without hesitation, he stepped inside with an air of confidence. Renee followed, placing her box down on the floor with a soft thud.

As she reached for the button to select her floor, she noticed that the 29th floor was already illuminated. Did he also reside on the same floor?

So, they were neighbors now.

The elevator doors closed with a gentle beep, and the ascent began. Renee cast a sideways glance at the man, her mind racing with thoughts of how often they might cross paths in the future. Gathering her courage, she finally broke the silence. “Um… Do you live on the 29th floor?”

He paused mid-text, his icy blue eyes flickering toward her. “Yeah.”

A warm smile spread across her face. “Me too. Looks like we’re neighbors.”

He nodded once, a simple acknowledgment that left her feeling somewhat deflated.

That was it?

His demeanor was so cold, it felt like a total conversation killer. Sensing his disinterest, Renee decided not to push further, not wanting to come off as overly eager or intrusive.

She turned her attention to the slowly changing floor numbers, her mind wandering when suddenly, the lights in the elevator flickered ominously. A loud clang reverberated through the small space as the elevator shuddered.

“What’s going on?” she whispered, her heart racing with unease.

Jasper’s expression shifted, tightening as he glanced up at the floor display. The elevator, which had been steadily climbing toward the ninth floor, abruptly descended back to the eighth before halting with a jarring stop.

Without a moment’s hesitation, he stepped forward, his fingers deftly dancing over the buttons, illuminating every floor on the panel with a swift motion.

Then, he pressed the button to open the door, but nothing happened.

“Hold onto the handrail, keep your back against the wall, bend your knees, and stay on the balls of your feet,” he instructed, his voice firm as he crouched against the wall.

Renee felt a rush of adrenaline as she instinctively followed his commands, sensing that something was amiss.

Suddenly, the elevator shot up several floors before plummeting sharply with a loud click.

“Ahh!”

Renee had never experienced anything like this before. She squeezed her eyes shut, letting out a terrified scream as she gripped the handrail so tightly that her knuckles turned ghostly white. Her heart raced, pounding against her chest as if it might explode.

Then, the lights went out, and the elevator fell into complete darkness. The sudden absence of gravity caused her knees to buckle, and she would have collapsed to the floor if Jasper hadn’t caught her just in time, preventing a painful fall.

“You okay?” he asked, his voice steady despite the chaos.

Still gasping for breath, Renee patted her chest, trying to calm herself. “Y-Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks.”

She fumbled for her phone, but there was no signal. Desperation crept in as she tapped the elevator door.

With that, she turned off her phone’s flashlight and settled back onto the box, choosing to ignore him.

But as time dragged on, his heavy breathing became increasingly impossible to overlook.

She flicked the flashlight back on, only to find him turned sideways, one hand still clutching the railing while the other pressed against his chest. He looked terrible, and her heart sank.

“What’s wrong with you?” she demanded, concern flooding her voice.

She quickly slid the box of books over beside him. “Sit down. You need to sit down.”

Reaching for his wrist, she found his grip on the railing unyielding, like iron.

Then it struck her.

Was he… claustrophobic?

When panic attacks hit, people often felt suffocated, dizzy, and overwhelmed.

“Oh no, no, no. You can’t die in here!” Renee began to panic, her voice rising. “If you die, there’s no way I could ever clear my name!”

She placed her cool hand over his, prying his fingers open from their iron grip on the handrail. With determination, she pushed him down onto the box.

Yet, Jasper remained tense, rigid as a statue.

Ignoring her own fears, she focused on calming him, holding his hand gently. “It’s okay, don’t be scared. I’m here. You’re going to be fine.”

With no signal on her phone and no idea how to help someone with claustrophobia, she felt utterly helpless.

He sat up straight, eyes squeezed shut, chest rising and falling like a fish gasping for air, clutching her hand as if it were his last lifeline.

That sight terrified her more than anything else in that moment.

“Relax. Just relax.”