d her own stubborn resolve were enough to keep her safe from the chaos his world had brought into her life. Yet here he was,

et, a part of her desperately wanted him to explain ever

cautiously, keepi

, not taking a step forward.

er feet didn't move away. She was caught somewhe

he said. "I'm here to be

racing for the storm of words sh

htly, betraying the tension he usually masked behind pride and control. "I know it looks like I pushe

him, but the raw edges of recent trauma made her wary.

ompany's board. He doesn't have leverage over me, over you. I documented everything he did every attempt t

it open, seeing the proofs: emails, recorded phone messages, legal notices evidence of

aid quietly. "Or the feeling of being used a

to erase anything. I want to rebu

he first time she'd truly seen the man behind th

a whisper. "I trusted you. And now..." Her throat

"Then I'll prove it," he said softly. "I'll show up. Not to control you. Not to f

k away. But another part, the part that remembered the nights he'd hel

can... fully trust

lied. "Tomorrow, maybe. Or the da

behind the pride, the arrogance, the wealth. A man who fea

g a lot," she

"But love is wo

tudied him, letting the words settle. For the first time since everything had begun,

d, but his eyes never left hers. "I'll give you time," he sa

ugh the hurt and anger were still there, a fragile spark o

he said, finally letting he

rilyn froze. It was the first time she heard him confess his feelings for her. She turned around and smiled before wal

ide, watching her disappear into the café, knowing that proving love w