Chapter 23
After cutting Harper hoose, Milo threw himself completely into wining Ellana bork from what he could tell she and Nathan weren’t officialy together yet–which meant
He’d made a promise to himself no matter what happened this time, he would never betray Elion again. She could make a dozen scorecards, a hundred stoperands—he dnever lose another point. If she wanted him to he’d even sign over Blake Industries without hesitation
He tracked down Lumina Studios address in the Arts District, bought the most expensive bouquet he could find, and knocked on their door
“To Thana available?” he asked as politely as he could manage
The stall inte immediately grew wary. Darty walked over, looking at him like he was something unpleasant she’d found on her shoe
What the hell are you doing here?”
Mio recognized her–the woman who’d helped than hold her empire after the divorce. He forced what he hoped was a humble smile.[]
came to win her back.
Darcy stared at him for a long moment. “You’ve got to be kidding me. All you guys are the same–mess everything up, then come crawling back when it’s convenient.“[]
Her words sting, but he deserved them. After what felt like forever, the sighed and opened the door wader[]
“She’s upstairs on the terrace. But I’m telling you right now–Eliana’s never going to forgive you. You had your chance and you blew it.”
Each word was like a knife to his chest, but Milo climbed the stairs anyway. This was his last shot, and he had to try.
On the rooftop terrace. Eliane was leaning against the railing, lost in thought
Sering Mio at the gala had stirred up so many buried memories
She’d spent three years thinking their marriage meant something, only to iscover she’d been his consolation prize after Harper got married. She’d loved his desperately while he’d been pining for someone else.
Even after being hurt beyond repair, shed ching to hope until there was nothing left.
Now that she’d buil something incredible, of course he wanted her back
“Penny for your thoughts? Nathan’s voice was soft as he approached with two steaming mugs of hot chocolate
just thinking about how weird life is, you know?” Ellana accepted the warm mug gratefully, their fingers brushing in the exchange. “How sometimes the worst things that
happen to you end up being the best-||
Nathan : smile was pure warmth. “Getting philosophical on me? That’s dangerous territory“]
She laughed–genuinely laughed in a way that is up her whole face. “I’m serious if Milo hadn’t been such a complete disaster as a husband, I never would have left New York. Never would have started Lumina. Never would have met you.
The way she said it, like meeting him was one of life’s unexpected gifts, mode Nathan’s chest light with emotion.]
you’re saying I should sead him a thank you card?” Nathan teased, stepping closer:||
“Don’t you dare.” Lluna’s eyes sparkled with mischief. His ego’s big enough already “||
They slood close together, sharing warmth and confortable intimacy. The city lights twinkled around them like stars, and Eliana felt that perfect sense of being eLdT where she belonged
“Nathan,” she said softly, her voire suddenly cerous 1 need to tell you something “||
His heart stopped. “Yeah?”
She set down her mug and turned to face him fudy, her hands coming ugi to prst on his chiral
think I’m ready to stop wahing
The words hung between them
A promise. Nathans e
Geyer searched her face, making sure he understood currently ||
are you sure? I don’t want you to feri tushed–||
She stenced him by rising on her tiptoes and pressing her tips to his
The kids was sod at first, tentative, then deeper as Nathan’s arms cats around her wain. When they finally broke apart, both were breathing hard
“I love you,” she whispered against his lips: “I think I have for a while now”
++
bruke inde the mod radiant inde he’d ever seen. “God, I love you too. I’ve been dying to say that.—–
spon her stand, both of them laughinge teenagers completely lost in their own perfect mement
(save when he reached the rootop-|||
Tader the starinsky, Eliana was kissing another man with complete abandon, looking happier than he ever seen her. The joy on her face was luminous, beautiful–and (abundutely devastating to witness
This to charge forward, break them apart, demand the listen to his apologies
But he couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe
Hi perfectly priced Tom Ford sat, his carefully styled hair, the ridiculously expensive roses–all of felt like a pathetic joke
He watched them kiss, heard her laugh, saw Nathan spin her around like she was precious. This was what love looked like when it was mutual, joyful, chosen freely:] Everything he’d never given her
when they finally hrnke apart, Eliana’s face was glowing with pure happiness. She said something that made Nathan pull her close again, both of them grinning lik they won the lottery.
standing there in the shadows. Millo finally understood with soul–crushing clarity: Ellana had moved on completely. She would never be has again.
she’d but a new life found real love, become the woman she was always meant to be–without him.[]}
His hands shook as he set the bouquet down quietly and walked away, leaving behind his last desperate hope.
When Elians and Nathan came downstairs later, hand in hand and glowing with new love, they found only a beautiful arrangement of roses waiting by the door–as if the universe was celebrating their beginning
