The boardroom was ice, and I was the only one burning.\n\nThere he stood—Alexander, in a tailored navy suit, hands clasped behind his back like he owned the place. Which, according to the papers just handed to me, he did. Seventy-three percent majority stake. Acquired over six months. In silence.\n\nI stared at the man who’d whispered sweet nothings in my ear, who’d danced with me under string lights on my penthouse terrace, who’d cried when I told him about my father’s death.\n\nAnd then he dropped to one knee.\n\nNot in surrender.\n\nIn proposal.