Chapter Four

Olivia had seen pictures of New York penthouses in magazines, but nothing prepared her for the quiet elegance of Sebastian Hart’s world.

The elevator doors opened to reveal an expanse of glass and marble, sleek lines, soft lighting, and a view that stretched endlessly across the city skyline.

She stood frozen for a moment, her suitcase in hand.

The air smelled faintly of cedarwood and clean linen. Everything looked impossibly perfect, expensive but tasteful, like him.

Sebastian stepped inside first, tossing his car keys onto the counter. “You’ll be staying here for now,” he said casually, as though he hadn’t just turned her life upside down.

She followed slowly, her heels echoing on the polished floor. “Here? With you?”

“Unless you prefer the press finding out where you live,” he replied, unbuttoning his suit jacket and setting it aside. “I bought this building recently because of us, it has private security. No one gets in without clearance.”

Olivia swallowed hard. “Right. Of course.”

He moved through the apartment with an effortless grace, heading toward the kitchen. “You hungry?”

She shook her head, though her stomach growled quietly in protest.

Sebastian smiled faintly. “You’re not very good at lying.”

“I’m not very good at any of this,” she admitted softly.

He turned on the lights over the breakfast bar, pulling out two glasses and pouring water. “You’ll learn. It’s not as complicated as it looks.”

“Easy for you to say,” she murmured, half to herself. “You belong in places like this.”

He looked up, his gaze unexpectedly gentle. “And you don’t?”

Her lips parted, but she couldn’t find words. There was something about his tone, quiet, assured, that made her chest tighten.

They ate dinner together, a simple takeout he’d ordered from a small restaurant downtown. The conversation started awkwardly but eased as the night deepened.

He asked about her childhood, her favorite foods, and her job at Hart Conglomerate.

She asked about his travels, his years as a pilot, and his time in London.

He told her he loved flying because it gave him peace, that up there, the noise of the world disappeared.

She told him she’d always wanted to see the world, but life hadn’t given her the chance.

When she mentioned her ex-fiancé, Jack, she hesitated, but Sebastian listened quietly, no judgment in his eyes.

“He made me feel small,” she said softly. “Like I should be grateful for him choosing me. And I was. I didn’t see what everyone else saw, that I was the only one trying.”

Sebastian leaned back in his chair. “Some men mistake possession for love. He lost something he didn’t deserve to keep.”

Olivia looked at him, surprised by the certainty in his voice.

“And what about you?” she asked after a moment. “Do you believe in love, Captain Hart?”

He smiled faintly at the old title. “I believe in loyalty. Respect. Commitment. Love” He paused, eyes flickering with something unreadable. “Love is rare. But when it’s real, it doesn’t vanish.”

His words settled into the silence between them, deep, steady, sincere.

Later, he showed her to the guest room. It was more luxurious than any hotel suite she’d ever seen, soft white sheets, a private balcony overlooking the glittering city, and a vase of fresh lilies on the nightstand.

I’ll be in the room across the hall,” he said. “If you need anything.”

She nodded, clutching her hands together. “Thank you. For all this.”

He studied her for a long moment, his expression softening slightly. “Olivia,” he said quietly. “You don’t have to thank me for doing what’s right.”

Before she could reply, he turned and disappeared down the hallway, leaving her heart unsteady in her chest.

The next morning, the world began to stir.

Olivia woke to the sound of Sebastian’s phone ringing from the living room. She wrapped herself in a robe and peeked out just in time to hear his clipped tone, businesslike, controlled.

“Yes, Joel. I’ve seen the headlines,” he said, pacing near the window. “No, they still don’t know who I am. The tabloids are guessing tech heir, Hollywood investor, or even a foreign prince. It’s absurd.”

He paused, listening, then sighed. “I’m handling it. Mother already called twice. Tell her not to worry, we’re keeping a low profile.”

Olivia stepped back before he noticed her, retreating to her room. Her stomach twisted. This is really happening.

Somewhere out there, people were gossiping about her, about them.

The mysterious bride and her unseen groom.