LOGINJulian’s POV
It was time for the party.
I was dressed like the son of a billionaire, my suit hugging me like a second skin, hair combed back, looking perfect for the night. Beneath it all, my chest was tight with frustration.
I looked over at Savannah, who was sitting as far away from me as the seats of the car would allow. She looked breath
Savannah's POVArya chose a hotel lounge instead of the office, which was probably wise considering our history.Julian, however, hated the idea of meeting her there.He drove me back from the ranch, reconsidering the meeting the whole way.Leon waited near the bar, and Daniel looked far too comfortable for someone who had come only as a precaution.Julian looked between them. "This is ridiculous.""You insisted Leon come," I said."Daniel invited himself.""He does that."Daniel lifted his glass when he noticed us.I lau
Savannah's POVJulian opened the contract on his laptop, and I pulled my chair closer. We had moved into Dad's office to examine the provisions protecting the ranch.Outside, Dad was dealing with something near the barns, leaving us with the document and a growing list of questions.The battered desk and shelves of veterinary records looked familiar. What bothered me was seeing our land reduced to clauses on a screen."Start with the land provisions," I said. "I want to know exactly what Dad agreed to."Julian scrolled past the financial terms. "Montgomery agreed not to initiate acquisitions, development negotiations, or certain access claims while the agreement remained active.""So Dad bought time, n
Julian's POVBy eight the next morning, maps and county records covered Marcus's dining table. Savannah sorted her notes beside my laptop while Mrs. Willy's breakfast sat mostly untouched.In a loose sweatshirt, her hair twisted up, Savannah leaned over the county map. She seemed more sure of herself here than she ever had with cameras following us through Seattle.She tapped the map. "This road ends here.""It does on the old county plan," Marcus said."Does it still end there?""Technically, yes, but an unused logging route runs another three miles east."Savannah frowned. "You never told me that.""You never
Savannah's POVBy late afternoon, I couldn't look at another number. Every figure represented a choice my parents had made while I assumed the ranch survived because it always had. They repaired equipment, renewed loans, kept workers through difficult years, and rejected an offer that could have erased most of their debt. I had loved this place without understanding what keeping it cost them.I closed the files. "I need air. Will you come with me?"Julian shut his laptop and reached for my jacket before Mom could remind me."Whose side are you on?" I asked, taking it from him."I enjoy being fed," he said.The cold hit us as we stepped outside, but his smile was the only comment he dared make.
Julian's POVDriving Savannah home didn't feel like admitting I had failed her. It felt right. She sat beside me with a folder on her lap, studying the loan statements, property records, and expenses Marcus had emailed the night before. Some of it confused her, but she kept reading."You're staring," she said, turning a page before I could deny it.She lowered the folder as the ranch came into view. This was home, and I was beginning to understand what it meant to her."You're working out how much you could pay off, aren't you?" she asked.I kept my eyes on the road. "I looked at the loan structure. There are better options."She closed her eyes. "That's not what today is about."
Savannah's POVAfter Damien stopped speaking, I stared at him, replaying what he had said about my father."If Marcus Willy ever stopped being a problem, Montgomery would finally get access through that ranch."Julian's fingers tightened around mine. He was already looking for someone to confront, while I was trying to understand how a conversation about access rights had turned into a threat against my family.I looked at Damien. "What does that mean?""I told you what I heard.""You've told me what they said, not what they meant." When his eyes shifted toward Julian, I leaned forward. "Don't look at him. This is my family, and I'm asking you."Julian's th
Julian’s POVI adjusted my collar and stepped into the commercial real estate office, heading straight for the broker's desk. I didn't care about the extra fees or the location costs because I really needed the space. I was a Montgomery by blood, but I wanted to make a name for myself. My startup wa
Savannah’s POV“Move!” I yelled, having little time to react as I quickly dived out of their way. I had barely taken a breath of relief when I turned to see Julian, who was still frozen on the spot and he stood directly in their path.He was completely still with a frightened expression on his face
Savannah's povI had always imagined my wedding to be like a fairytale wedding, filled with love and happiness.The wedding I had was the complete opposite. There were no joyful tears, no happy toasts, and certainly no romance. All through the brief wedding, I tried not to snap at a super cold Julia
Savannah's povI smoothed down the skirt of my black dress for the hundredth time while keeping my posture perfectly rigid. I felt entirely out of my element in a gown and I would choose my pants and t-shirt over this any day, but for the sake of my parents, I had to attend this gala.We were in the







