“No,” he said, voice firm. “No more hiding.”
I turned in his hold, needing to see his face. “Really?”
“Elena knows, and I updated the report with HR a couple of days ago.”
I blinked.
“As for the rest of the world…” He sighed, deeper this time. “Pictures have been circulating for a while now. There are even a couple from the hospital?—”
Outrage surged through me. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
Sebastian lifted a shoulder, frustration and resignation mixing in his expression. “People are always going to speculate until we say something. All I want to do is tell them to fuck off, shout it from the rooftops… but I don’t want this to hurt you again.”
Hurt me?I held his gaze for a second before it clicked. “Who told you about that?”
“Henny. Oli.” He brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, his eyes lingering on the movement. “I’m sorry, pet. For leaving you to deal with everything. Alone.”
That familiar hollow feeling opened up again. “People are assholes,” I said quietly. “Fuck them.”
Sebastian smiled and leaned in to kiss me. “You deserve sunlight, my darling. That’s what I want to give you. I’ll crush anyone who dares say a word to you.” His hand slid back into my hair, this time holding. “I mean it, Ethan. I want you on a throne—my fuckingking. Untouchable. I’ll protect you from everything. Stand by your side.”
That fire in his eyes, those words, warmed me to my core. I brushed my thumb over his lower lip. “I don’t need protecting,” I said. “That’s not your job. But I’ll take the standing beside me. And the throne.”
Sebastian’s intensity softened into a quiet huff as he nudged his nose against mine. “I love you.”
“And I love you.” I pressed a kiss to his lips. “Let’s conquer the world together.”
The words lingered between us, followed by countless softer kisses, until the edges of the night blurred and we drifted off wrapped in each other.
It felt like the quiet after a fire—smoke still in the air, embers still glowing, but something new already beginning to breathe between us.
We weren’t whole yet.
But we were rising.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
ASH
“You have a meeting with Carlos Rincón at five…” Vanessa scrolled through her tablet, eyes never leaving the screen.
“Call him back and move it to next week. It’s not a priority, and I have a dinner to get to.”
She nodded. “Consider it done. Do you want me to move the call with Costas at four?”
“No. That one will be quick. Please make sure Oscar is included.”
Another nod, fingers already flying. “Do you still want me to go shopping for Ethan?”
I smiled to myself. “No. I’ll take care of that later.” Two months deserved my own brand of spoiling. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.
Vanessa stood from the chair opposite me, her outfit immaculate as she flipped her slick black hair back. “Alright. That’s everything. I’ll forward your dad’s call as soon as it comes in.”
“Thank you, Nessa.”
She waved me off and strode out like she was walking a runway. I chuckled. Her easy closeness with Ethan made perfect sense.
My phone started buzzing.
