GHOSTED BY GOLD

she could see past the billionaire a

uggesting they celebrate the mural's completion. Over drinks, he opens up about his family for the first time, sharing the story of how he b

is father had specific expectations for him, including marrying within a high society circle, upholding th

be what they wanted. I thought maybe I could change the system from the inside, keep the family n

m. "But the ghost thing...you don't h

n his expression. "Maybe I don't. Bu

hidden art gallery that Tony sometimes escapes to when he needs a break. The gallery features

e background, and how hard she's worked to make a name for herself without compromising her style. Tony is fascinated, recognizing the freedom she ha

ling at the pieces while Tony watched her. "Y

fully. "Funny, I was going to

"Maybe we're both a little

eir eyes met, the tension betwe

terrupted by Tony's phone. He's visibly frustrated, his face hardening as he sees the caller ID. It's his father, pulling him

ny is deeply torn between his family's demands and the person he wants to be. Her heart aches

and warm against her skin. Just as she leaned in,

aller ID. "It's my father," he said, his expression

nodding. "Go ahead. F

that, no matter how close they got, there would a

e's closed off, slipping back into his guarded self. They argue, with Jade challenging him about the way he lets his family control hi

family clashing with his wish to be his own person. Jade realizes how deeply his family's

ade demanded, arms crossed. "You're Tony Aldr

flashing. "It's not that simple

don't understand your family. But I unde

by something softer, something vulner

rest his family disapproved of, who left him after he failed to stand up to his family's interference. The m

is "ghosting" isn't just a habit, it's a defense against heartbreak. They share a quiet moment o

whisper. "She left, and I...

on his arm. "I'm sorry, Tony. N

. "Maybe I didn't deserve her. But maybe, just

d this time, neither of them pulls away. They share a slow, tentative kiss, each of them testing the waters, afraid to hope bu

a heartbeat, the world fell silent, and then he leaned in, their lips meeting in

on her, a mixture of hope and fear in his eyes.

r heart poundin

summoning him to an urgent meeting. He apologizes to Jade, clearly torn, but she understand

uncertainty. She knows Tony is trying, but she wonders if his family's hold o

e believed in the connection they'd found, but she couldn't shake the f