Shattered Dynasty

His eyes go wide, and his mouth drops open.

It’s all there.

All twenty-two million of it.

I’m not even sure I can, technically, write a check this big. I’ve never had access to money like this in my life. But whatever I need to do to get it into Cresthill’s accounts, I’ll do. With a smile on my face.

I love this place.

I love Trent.

“I don’t need money, Trent.” I press a small kiss to his thumb, cheeks burning when his mom leaves to give us privacy. “I only need you.”

His eyes look glassy, and then, before I can say another word, he shuts me up with a passionate kiss.

“I’ll love you, forever,” he promises against my mouth.

“Forever is a long time.”

“Are you arguing with me, princess?”

“Who? Me? Would I do that?”

He presses his forehead against mine. “Hopefully every day for the rest of our lives.”

Our lives.

And then, just like that, in dirty jeans, with a smile on his face, he bends down on one knee. He reaches into his pocket, pulls out a tiny velvet box, and opens it up. An oval-shaped diamond winks at me. It’s set high on a pave band.

“I was waiting for today to give you this,” he says, box raised up to me. “Will you marry me?”

Tears fall from my eyes. “Yes.”

I chant it over and over.

“Yes, yes, yes.”

Rising to his feet, he pulls me up with him, looping his free hand around me. He lifts me off my feet and seals his mouth to mine. When he drops me, he slides the ring on my finger. It’s a perfect fit.

And then his lips are back on mine, and he’s claiming me as his in ways words could never deliver.

There, in the garden, my life once again changes.

It was here, in this same place, that I learned Trent is more than I thought.

I learned that shades of gray do exist.

Your enemy can absolutely be your soul mate.

And a single moment can change your life.

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