12 MONTHS LATER

*ONE YEAR LATER*

The sun was setting over Cole Vineyard.

White chairs. Fairy lights. 200 guests.

And me, in a white dress. Again.

But this time it wasn’t a contract.

This time it was real.

“Avi! You look like a princess!”

Liam ran up to me. Healthy. Hair grown back. No IV. No hospital bracelet.

He was 10 now. And annoying as hell.

I crouched and hugged him. “You look like a troublemaker.”

“Guilty.” He grinned. “Mr. Cole said I can have 3 cakes today.”

“Of course he did.” I laughed.

The doors opened.

And there he was.

*Damian Cole.*

Black tux. No tie. Hair a little messy like he ran his hands through it.

But his eyes... his eyes were only on me.

For a second the whole world disappeared.

The past year flashed.

Hospital rooms. Board fights. Late nights. Whiskey.

And love. So much love.

He stopped in front of me.

“Hey, Mrs. Cole.”

“Hey, Mr. Cole.”

He took my hands. Kissed my knuckles.

“You sure about this? Second time’s a charm?”

I smiled. “I was sure the first time. I’m just making it official now.”

The officiant cleared his throat.

“Dearly beloved...”

---

*VOWS*

Damian went first.

His voice was rough. No script.

“Ava. A year ago I bought you with a contract.

I thought I was buying revenge. Control.

Instead I got you.

You taught me that being powerful means nothing if you’re alone.

You taught me how to hope again.

I don’t deserve you. But I’m spending the rest of my life earning you.

I love you. Not 12 months. Forever.”

Tears. Mine. His. Everyone’s.

My turn.

“I signed a paper to save my brother.

I didn’t know I was signing up to be saved too.

You were cold. You were broken. And you were mine.

You chose me when it was hard. You stayed when it was scary.

So yeah, Damian. I’m sure.

I love you. Today. Tomorrow. Always.”

“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

You may kiss the bride.”

He didn’t wait.

His hands were in my hair. My arms around his neck.

And he kissed me like he did that first night in the elevator.

Desperate. Relieved. Home.

The crowd cheered.

Liam yelled “FINALLY!”

---

*RECEPTION*

We danced first. Just us.

“Can’t Help Falling In Love” playing.

Damian’s hand on my back. Mine on his chest.

“Can you believe it?” I whispered.

“No.” He pulled me closer. “A year ago I hated you.

Now I can’t imagine a day without you.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.” He kissed me again. Soft. “Dance with me forever?”

“Deal.”

Liam cut in. “My turn! Dance with me, Avi!”

Damian laughed and spun me to him.

The three of us. Dancing. Stupid. Happy.

Later. Cake. Toasts.

Victoria wasn’t there. She sold her shares and moved to Europe.

The board? They loved me now. Especially after the Cole-Sinclair Charity hit $50M.

At 11PM, Damian pulled me away.

“Come on.”

“Where are we going?”

“Somewhere private.” His eyes were dark.

---

*THE HONEYMOON SUITE*

Vineyard. Top floor. Glass walls. Stars everywhere.

Rose petals on the bed. Champagne.

But I only saw him.

He shut the door. Turned to me.

Took a step. Then another.

Until I was against the wall.

“One year,” he murmured. “One year of waiting to do this without guilt. Without a contract.”

“Damian...”

“Tell me to stop and I will.” His forehead against mine. Hands on my waist.

“Don’t you dare.”

That was all he needed.

He kissed me. Deep. Slow.

Like he was memorizing me.

His hands slid down my back, unlacing the dress.

It fell to the floor.

He pulled back. Just looked.

“God, Ava. You’re beautiful.”

“So are you.” I touched his chest. Over his tux.

“Take this off.”

He did. Shirt. Undershirt.

The scars were still there. But now I knew the story behind each one.

He picked me up. Carried me to the bed.

Laid me down gently. Came over me.

This wasn’t desperate like the first times.

This was reverent.

He kissed every inch. Whispered my name like a prayer.

“Look at me,” he said.

I did.

“I love you,” he said again. Between kisses.

“I love you when you’re brave. I love you when you’re scared.

I love you when you yell at me. I love you when you sleep in my arms.”

“Show me,” I whispered.

And he did.

Slow. Gentle. Then not so gentle.

Hands tangled. Bodies moving.

His name on my lips. Mine on his.

After, we lay tangled in sheets.

Sweat. Breath. Heartbeats.

He traced circles on my back.

“Regret anything?” he asked quietly.

“Only that we didn’t do this sooner.”

He laughed. Pulled me on top of him.

“Greedy.”

“Only for you.”

We talked till 3AM.

About Liam. About the charity. About kids.

“Two,” he said. “I want two. A girl who looks like you. A boy who’s brave like you.”

“Deal.”

He kissed me again.

“Goodnight, Mrs. Cole.”

“Goodnight, Mr. Cole.”

---

*6 MONTHS LATER*

Cole-Sinclair Hospital Wing. Grand opening.

I cut the ribbon. Pregnant. 5 months.

Damian’s hand on my belly.

Liam stood next to us. Holding a sign: *"MY SISTER OR BROTHER IS COMING"*

Reporters. Cameras.

“Mr. Cole, any words?”

Damian looked at me. Then at Liam. Then at the camera.

“Yeah. Love is the best investment you’ll ever make.”

Later, at home.

I was on the couch. Feet up.

Damian came in with tea. And ice cream.

“Chocolate. For the mom and the baby.”

He sat. Pulled my feet into his lap. Massaged them.

“You okay?”

“Perfect.” I leaned my head on his shoulder.

His phone buzzed.

Email: *Liam’s Report Card: Straight A's*

We both smiled.

“You know,” I said. “Best $2 million you ever spent.”

He froze. Then laughed. Pulled me into a hug.

“Worth every penny. Worth my whole empire.”

Outside, the sun was setting again.

Over our house. Our family. Our forever.

The contract was for 12 months.

The love was for life.