"You look pretty incredible yourself."
He crosses to me. Takes my hand. "Last chance to back out."
"I'm not backing out. Are you?"
"No. Never."
"Then let's go."
He pulls a small box from his pocket. "Before we do—I want you to have this."
I open it and inside is a necklace.
Simple. Elegant.
A single diamond on a delicate chain.
"It's beautiful."
"It was my mother's. The only thing I have left of her. I want you to wear it tonight."
Tears threaten. I blink them back. "Help me put it on?"
He fastens it around my neck.
The diamond settles just above my heart.
Perfect.
"Ready?" he asks.
I take his hand. "Together?"
"Together."
We walk down the stairs, out to the car where Callum is waiting.
He knows something is happening.
Can probably sense it, but he doesn't ask questions, just opens the door.
"Good luck, sir. Miss Eden."
"Thank you, Callum."
We get in.
The door closes and the car starts moving.
Toward the Consortium. Toward the showcase. Toward whatever comes next.
I should be terrified.
Instead, I feel calm.
Because I'm not alone. I'm not running. I'm not hiding.
I'm walking in there with the man I love. The man who chooses me over everything.
