. Elena stood in the living room, still in her navy dress, her hair beginning to fall from the sleek b

two glasses of win

said, his tone

she corrected wi

e-no threats looming, no contracts between them. Just two people who

this without you," Lucien s

ied, setting her wine on the ta

r. "You've changed

people away, hiding behind power. But you're the fir

chest, listening to the rhythm o

uilding," she whis

p, his touch tender.

ntracts," s

ore l

e no cameras, no board members, no strategic moves. Just the warmth of h

sh apart. They held onto each other

rumors, betrayals, business wars-but tonight, the

t, they would fac

eth

al thi

s as the snow slowly melted beneath the streetlamps. From the towering height of the

to her softly, and her hair, once tightly pinned for the board meeting, now fell in loose curls around

ed out, two glasses of wine in hand, his sleeves rol

said, handin

fingers brushing

is glass. "

rved slightly.

ook a long sip. The wine was bold and smooth, much like the ma

e said, finally turning toward him. "

ard they can'

hand through his hair. "It doesn't feel real

yebrow. "You me

had power my whole life. But I never knew h

beneath her. "You don't have to carry everything alo

his eyes that hadn't been ther

t yourself be chang

hought love made people weak. Distracted. Vulnerable. But wi

use it is. Real love makes you stronger. I

ing to face her fully. "Do you still t

ly. "It did. We

eep and sure. "And I don't want to pretend anymore

n and slid closer. "

for her hand. Their fingers laced together nat

a PR disaster. Not because I feel guilty about what happened. But beca

y. "I don't want

him. His hand moved to her waist, the o

alls," he whispered. "But you

mething better," she

r lips, the taste of this moment. It wasn't rushed or forced-there was no a

, Elena rested her

re con

nst her skin.

e prete

e curve of her neck, holding her as if the entir

t for a long time.

by the hum of the city o

blanket and wrapped it around them both. He scrolled through his phone, checking messages-

tiff

d instantly.

the screen

mail from Harper D

ning. There are others watchi

ran cold. "H

Harper's gone, but that message... it's a

" she said, squeezin

s do. To

eful and awed all at o

smile. "But I'm in love. And

d. Then he w

ove

ghtly, and her breat

it felt like before. But now I do. I love you, Elena Cruz. I l

hed for his face, holding his ch

d. It wasn't just a kiss; it was a promise. Tha

ispered into the dark, "No matter wh

oser. "We'll pro

uiet and soft-but inside the penthouse,

he end of t

nly the