“I don’t want to control you. I don’t want to break you. I want to build you back up. I want to give you the world, stand by you while you burn theirs down, and make sure no one ever hurts you or your baby again.”
His thumb grazed my skin, a quiet vow in the touch.
“All I ask is that you let me love you the way you should have been loved all along.”
When the officiant declared us husband and wife, Pearson leaned in and kissed her like he was staking a claim. And she let him, her fingers curling around his wrist, her lips pressing back with quiet acceptance.
Meanwhile — Across the Ocean
Travis walked round his office, sweat clinging to his skin as he barked orders into the phone. Papers were strewn across his desk ,legal threats, investor withdrawals, and court dates looming like a guillotine over his head.
“Fix it,” he snapped, his voice sharp enough to cut glass. “I don’t care what you have to do — just make it disappear.”
He slammed the phone down, chest heaving. The walls felt like they were closing in. Every hour, more evidence leaked. Bank records, medical documents, and video clips of him and Madison slipping away to hotels. His mother-in-law’s death, the rushed surgery, and how it was connected to Madison's sister .
He wiped his face, feeling like his skin was on fire.
“We’re losing everything,” Madison whispered, her voice frantic. She clutched her phone, scrolling through messages. “Ethan’s divorcing me. He filed today.Me, Travis!” she grabbed his arm. “Do something.”
“I’m trying!” he barked, shoving her hand off.
She flinched but didn’t back down.
“They’re going to put us in prison,” she hissed, her eyes wild. “I’m not letting that happen. We have to find out who’s behind this!”
Travis ignored her and sank into his chair, rubbing his face. The world spun, every mistake he’d ever made crashing down at once. And just when he thought it couldn’t get worse —
The TV blared in the corner of the room.
“Breaking news: Billionaire Preston Urie marries mystery woman today”
Travis’s breath caught. The remote slipped from his fingers as he stared at the screen. The camera zoomed in on the bride, her hair lighter, her features slightly different. But he saw it.
The curve of her lips. The way she tilted her head.
His heart slammed into his ribs.
“Zoe,” he whispered.