LOGINThe reception was everything Aaron and Elara had wanted. Small. Elegant. Personal. ⸻ No reporters. No flashing cameras. No gossip columns. ⸻ Just family. Friends. And the people who had stood beside them through the hardest years of their lives. ⸻ The reception hall overlooked the Italian coastline. Thousands of tiny lights twinkled overhead. Music drifted softly through the evening air. ⸻ For the first time all day— everyone seemed relaxed. ⸻ Even Aaron. ⸻ Though Elara suspected that had less to do with the wedding and more to do with the fact that nobody could interrupt him with business calls. ⸻ The newlyweds sat together at the head table. Aaron’s hand resting possessively over hers. ⸻ Not because he was worried she’d disappear. ⸻ Because he simply liked touching her. ⸻ Elara had noticed that lately. ⸻ She secretly loved it. ⸻ A glass clinked. ⸻ Everyone turned. ⸻ Edward stood slowly. ⸻ “Oh no,” Aa
One Month Later The morning of the wedding arrived warm and clear. No reporters. No photographers. No headlines. No media coverage. ⸻ Exactly as they wanted. ⸻ The ceremony was being held in the gardens of a rented estate in Italy. A place that felt like home. ⸻ Rows of white flowers lined the stone pathway. Soft music drifted through the air. Family and close friends filled the small gathering. ⸻ Only the people who mattered. ⸻ Nothing else. ⸻ Aaron stood beneath the flower-covered arch at the front of the garden. Waiting. ⸻ He looked calm. At least from a distance. ⸻ Up close— he was anything but. ⸻ His grandfather Edward stood beside him. Trying and failing to hide his amusement. ⸻ “You look nervous.” ⸻ Aaron adjusted his cufflinks. ⸻ “I’m not nervous.” ⸻ Edward snorted. ⸻ “You’ve checked your watch six times in three minutes.” ⸻ Aaron frowned. ⸻ “I like knowing the time.” ⸻ “Of course.”
Elara couldn’t stop looking at the ring. ⸻ Not because it was expensive. Not because it was beautiful. Though it was. ⸻ Because this time— it meant something entirely different. ⸻ The first ring had come with expectations. Obligations. Pressure. ⸻ This one came with a choice. ⸻ Aaron noticed her staring at it for the fifth time during breakfast. ⸻ “You know, most people eventually stop looking at it.” ⸻ Elara glanced up. ⸻ “It’s been twelve hours.” ⸻ Aaron considered that. ⸻ “Fair.” ⸻ She smiled and took another sip of coffee. ⸻ The villa’s terrace overlooked the ocean. Sunlight danced across the water. Palm trees swayed in the breeze. ⸻ Paradise. ⸻ And somehow— the best part wasn’t the island. ⸻ It was the man sitting across from her. ⸻ Aaron looked considerably more relaxed than when they arrived. ⸻ Less guarded. ⸻ Lighter. ⸻ Like he’d finally put down a burden he’d been carrying for years.
The rain arrived just before dawn. ⸻ Soft. Gentle. ⸻ Elara woke to the sound of it tapping against the villa windows. For a moment, she forgot where she was. ⸻ Then she felt Aaron’s arm around her waist. ⸻ And remembered. ⸻ The island. The honeymoon. The peace. ⸻ A smile tugged at her lips. ⸻ She carefully slipped out of bed and walked onto the terrace. ⸻ The ocean stretched endlessly before her. Dark blue beneath a cloudy morning sky. ⸻ Beautiful. ⸻ For the first time in years, her thoughts weren’t crowded by questions. ⸻ No investigations. No secrets. No tragedies waiting around the corner. ⸻ Just life. ⸻ Footsteps sounded behind her. ⸻ Aaron stepped onto the terrace carrying two mugs of coffee. ⸻ “You disappeared.” ⸻ Elara accepted one gratefully. ⸻ “I was enjoying the view.” ⸻ Aaron handed her the coffee. Then stood beside her. ⸻ “The view is overrated.” ⸻ She looked at him. ⸻ “Th
*** Mature Content Ahead *** The island looked unreal. ⸻ Elara stared through the airplane window as turquoise water stretched endlessly beneath them. Small clusters of white sand surrounded lush green forests. The ocean sparkled beneath the afternoon sun. ⸻ It looked like something from a postcard. ⸻ Or a dream. ⸻ Beside her, Aaron glanced out the window. ⸻ Then looked back at her. ⸻ And smiled. ⸻ “You’re staring.” ⸻ Elara didn’t even try to deny it. ⸻ “Have you seen this place?” ⸻ Aaron chuckled softly. ⸻ “I have now.” ⸻ She narrowed her eyes. ⸻ “That was smooth.” ⸻ “It was true.”
The mansion had never been this loud. ⸻ Not because of arguments. Not because of emergencies. ⸻ Because of Maya. ⸻ “You are not packing enough clothes.” ⸻ Elara looked up from her suitcase. ⸻ “Maya, we’re going for two weeks.” ⸻ “Exactly.” ⸻ Maya tossed another dress onto the bed. ⸻ “You need options.” ⸻ Elara stared at the growing mountain of clothing. ⸻ “I need luggage the size of a truck.” ⸻ “You’re welcome.” ⸻ Across the room, Zara laughed. ⸻ “This is why nobody lets Maya plan vacations.” ⸻ “I wasn’t asked.” Maya looked offended. ⸻ “I volunteered.”







