Chapter 23
Chapter 23
After cutting Harper loose, Milo threw himself completely into winning Elland back. From what he could tell, she and Nathan weren’t officially Together yet which meant he still had a shot.
He’d made a promise to lúmself: no matter what happened this time, he would never betray Eliana again. She could make a dozen scorecards, a hundred scorecards he’d never lose another point. If she wanted him to, he’d even sign over Blake Industries without hesitation.
He tracked down Lumina Studios‘ address in the Arts District, bought the most expensive bouquet he could find, and knocked on their door.
Is Eliana available?” he asked as politely as he could manage.
The staff inside immediately grew wary. Darcy walked over, looking at him like he was something unpleasant she’d found on her shoe.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
Milo recognized her–the woman who’d helped Eliana build her empire after the divorce. He forced what he hoped was a humble smile.
“I came to win her back.”
Darcy stared at him for a long moment. “You’ve got to be kidding me. All you guys are the same–mess everything up, then come crawling back when it’s convenient.”
Her words stung, but he deserved them. After what felt like forever, she sighed and opened the door wider.
“She’s upstairs on the terrace. But I’m telling you right now–Eliana’s never going to forgive you. You had your chance and you blew it.”
Each word was like a knife to his chest, but Milo climbed the stairs anyway. This was his last shot, and he had to try.
On the rooftop terrace, Eliana was leaning against the railing, lost in thought.
Seeing Milo at the gala had stirred up so many buried memories.
She’d spent three years thinking their marriage meant something, only to discover she’d been his consolation prize after Harper got married. She’d loved him desperately while he’d been pining for someone else.
Even after being hurt beyond repair, she’d clung to hope until there was nothing left.
Now that she’d built something incredible, of course he wanted her back.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Nathan’s voice was soft as he approached with two steaming mugs of hot chocolate.
“Just thinking about how weird life is, you know?” Eliana accepted the warm mug gratefully, their fingers brushing in the exchange. “How sometimes the worst things that happen to you end up being the best.”
Nathan’s smile was pure warmth. “Getting philosophical on me? That’s dangerous territory.”
She laughed–genuinely laughed in a way that lit up her whole face. “I’m serious! If Milo hadn’t been such a complete disaster as a husband, I never would have left New York. Never would have started Lumina. Never would have met you.”
The way she said it, like meeting him was one of life’s unexpected gifts, made Nathan’s chest tight with emotion.
“So you’re saying I should send him a thank–you card?” Nathan teased, stepping closer.
“Don’t you dare.” Eliana’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “His ego’s big enough already.”
They stood close together, sharing warmth and comfortable intimacy. The city lights twinkled around them like stars, and Eliana felt that perfect sense of being exactly where she belonged.
“Nathan,” she said softly, her voice suddenly serious. “I need to tell you something.”
His heart stopped. “Yeah?”
She set down her mug and turned to face him fully, her hands coming up to rest on his chest.
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Chapter 23
“I think I’m ready to stop waiting.”
The words hung between them like a promise. Nathan’s eyes searched her face, making sure he understood correctly.
“Eliana, are you sure? I don’t want you to feel rushed-”
She silenced him by rising on her tiptoes and pressing her lips to his.
The kiss was soft at first, tentative, then deeper as Nathan’s arms came around her waist. When they finally broke apart, both were breathing hard.
“I love you,” she whispered against his lips. “I think I have for a while now.”
Nathan’s face broke into the most radiant smile she’d ever seen. “God, I love you too. I’ve been dying to say that.”
He spun her around, both of them laughing like teenagers, completely lost in their own perfect moment.
That’s exactly what Milo saw when he reached the rooftop.
Under the starlit sky, Eliana was kissing another man with complete abandon, looking happier than he’d ever seen her. The joy on her face was luminous, beautiful–and absolutely devastating to witness.
Every instinct screamed at him to charge forward, break them apart, demand she listen to his apologies.
But he couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe.
His perfectly pressed Tom Ford suit, his carefully styled hair, the ridiculously expensive roses–all of it felt like a pathetic joke.
He watched them kiss, heard her laugh, saw Nathan spin her around like she was precious. This was what love looked like when it was mutual, joyful, chosen freely.
Everything he’d never given her.
When they finally broke apart, Eliana’s face was glowing with pure happiness. She said something that made Nathan pull her close again, both of them grinning like they’d won the lottery.
Standing there in the shadows, Milo finally understood with soul–crushing clarity: Eliana had moved on completely. She would never be his again.
She’d built a new life, found real love, become the woman she was always meant to be–without him.
His hands shook as he set the bouquet down quietly and walked away, leaving behind his last desperate hope.
When Eliana and Nathan came downstairs later, hand in hand and glowing with new love, they found only a beautiful arrangement of roses waiting by the door–as if the universe was celebrating their beginning.
- 14.
