Chapter 10 - Beyond the Marriage of ConvenienceOne year later.
The balcony of the Montero penthouse was a lush, blooming garden of jasmine, red roses, and vibrant greenery.
Downstairs in the city, the floral shop had been fully restored under Elena’s direction, thriving as a boutique botanical center. Mateo was completely cured, healthy, vibrant, and preparing for his first year of college.
It was a soft, warm evening. The moon hung full and bright in the clear night sky, framing the city lights below.
Elena stood by the edge of the terrace, wearing a light silk dress that fluttered in the evening breeze. A gentle pair of arms wrapped around her waist from behind, bringing her back against a broad, warm chest.
Ricardo buried his face in the crook of her neck, pressing a soft kiss to her skin.
“You’re thinking again,” he murmured, his hands resting gently over her stomach.
“I was just remembering our wedding night,” Elena smiled, turning in his arms to wrap her hands around his neck. “When you stood in that dark bedroom and ordered me to take off my dress.”
Ricardo let out a quiet, velvety laugh, his dark eyes sparkling with affection. “I was terrified of you, you know.”
“Terrified of me?” she teased, playing with the collar of his open shirt. “The great Ricardo Montero was afraid of a flower girl?”
“I was afraid of how fast you broke through my walls,” he whispered, his hands sliding up to frame her face gently. “I thought I was making a deal to save my father’s honor. I had no idea I was buying the rest of my life.”
He leaned down, pressing his lips to hers in a deep, slow, tender kiss that carried all the warmth and security they had built together from the ashes of a cold contract.
When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers, looking down at her with steady, unconditional love.
“No more lies,” he whispered. “No more contracts.”
May you like
“Just us,” Elena replied, kissing him back under the moonlight.
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