Claiming What's Forbidden

w motion car crash predictable in its

d her eyes steady. But she could feel the shift in the atmosphere. Whispers no longer

was quickly learning that the world she had stepped into wasn't just b

none of th

he ha

oice the calm inside the chaos. But even he was beginning to wear the toll of defiance. He was quieter

me the brea

orning –

lts to the board. It should've been a celebration profits were up, ma

men in suits, women in pearls, and

unmovable. Beside him was Catherine Sterling, Valentina's mother and a shareholder in one of the larg

furious. She l

a took notes, trying to focus. But she cou

ng, Gregory raised a hand

-sentence. "Is t

d concerns from key investors about the

den cancellation of a strategic engagement th

na f

ed slightly. Ar

res said evenly, "was personal. It doe

speaks to your judgment. Investors worry when

cool, "to pursue what one actually wan

k she's your rebellion, your choice but she's not one of us. And

chest t

ice calm but firm. "But I also won't apologize for being in lov

ut a quiet laug

"Selena, you don't

r systems, expanded international branches, and doubled profits in three years. If my personal choic

le

y son, Ares. But don't make the mis

't make the mistake of thinkin

Night – Are

r as Ares poured himself a drink. The lights were d

poken," he said final

d. "I couldn't

his hair. "But you saw how they are. Every

ecause I do

. "You belong more than any of them.

him. "Then don't trea

held that fire. "You're not a liability. Y

eek. "Then let's f

When he pulled back, his voice cracked. "If this world tries

n – Valent

ace, wine glass in hand,

k down," she

"Then we give him some

ghtly. "It's time we remind

eyes gleaming