CHAPTER 8:THE BOARD MEETING

9AM. Cole Enterprises. 50th Floor.

The boardroom was freezing.

12 men and women in $5000 suits. All staring at me.

Because I was sitting next to Damian.

At the head of the table.

With his ring on my finger.

Whispers.

"Who is she?"

"Is that the waitress?"

"His wife??"

Damian squeezed my hand under the table.

"Good morning," he said, voice calm but deadly. "Let’s get started."

The CFO cleared his throat. "Mr. Cole, before we begin quarterly reports... care to explain the headlines?"

He projected the photo on the big screen.

Me + Damian. Holding hands leaving the cafe.

Headline: **BILLIONAIRE ANNOUNCES SECRET MARRIAGE**

The room went silent.

Damian stood up.

"Yes. I got married." He looked at me. "To Ali Carter."

Gasps.

"She’s my wife. Legally. And she will be attending all future company events as Mrs. Cole."

Mr. Peterson, the oldest board member, slammed his hand on the table.

"This is outrageous! We approved Sophia! She’s good for the brand!"

"Sophia is my ex." Damian’s eyes were ice. "Ali is my wife."

"She’s nobody!"

"She’s the reason I’m still human." The room went quiet again. "And if anyone in this room has a problem with my wife, you can resign."

Nobody moved.

I couldn’t breathe. He was fighting the whole board for me.

"Moving on," Damian said. "Quarterly reports."

For the next hour I sat there while they talked numbers I didn’t understand.

But every 5 minutes, Damian’s hand would find mine. Squeeze.

Like he was saying *I’ve got you.*

---

After the meeting.

We were in his office. Door closed.

I was shaking.

"That was insane."

"That was necessary." Damian poured two glasses of whiskey. "They needed to know you’re not going anywhere."

"What if they fire you?"

"They can’t." He handed me a glass. "I own 51%."

He pulled me into his arms.

"You okay?"

"I’m scared." I admitted. "Of all of this."

"I know." He kissed the top of my head. "But you don’t have to be brave alone anymore."

His phone buzzed.

[Unknown]: Saw the board meeting. Cute. This isn’t over.

- S

Sophia.

Damian saw it too. His jaw clenched.

"Ignore her."

"Damian, she’s not gonna stop."

"Then I won’t either." He looked at me. Serious. "Ali, I’m choosing you. Every day. In front of everyone."

My heart felt full and terrified at the same time.

"So what now?" I whispered.

"Now?" He smiled and pulled me closer. "Now we go home. And I remind you exactly who you belong to."

The car ride home was silent.

But not awkward. Comfortable.

Damian’s hand was on my knee the whole time.

When we got to the penthouse, he didn’t let go.

He led me straight to the living room and pulled me down onto the couch with him.

"Talk to me," he said softly. "What’s on your mind?"

"Everything." I laughed a little. "The board. Sophia. The fact that I’m married to you."

"And?"

"And I’m terrified I’ll mess this up."

Damian turned so he was facing me fully.

"Ali, look at me."

I did.

"You could never mess this up." He brushed his thumb across my cheek. "You walked into my life when I didn’t even know I needed saving."

"I didn’t save you."

"You did." His voice was rough. "You made me feel again."

My eyes filled with tears. "Damian..."

"Shh." He wiped one away with his thumb. "I’m not good at this. The feelings part. But I’m trying. For you."

He leaned in and kissed me.

It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t for cameras.

It was slow and real and it made my whole body feel warm.

When we broke apart, I was breathless.

"Stay with me tonight?" he whispered against my lips.

"I’m not going anywhere."

We ordered takeout. Watched a movie. Nothing fancy.

Just him, me, and blankets on the floor.

He fell asleep with his arm around me.

And for the first time since signing that contract,

I didn’t feel like Mrs. Cole for show.

I felt like his.

Outside, the city kept talking.

But in here, it was just us.

And that was enough.

END OF CHAPTER 8