Contracted by the billionaire

chapter 16

Vivenne's Pov

The ocean waves sounded steady outside our honeymoon villa as I watched Roman on the balcony.

I stepped outside and joined him. “You’ve been checking your phone less. That’s rare.”

He put it away and pulled me against his side. “Work can wait. This is a priority. You.”

We had flown to a private beach spot two days after the wedding. Simple villa, no staff except daily cleaners. Delia and Carter sent funny texts every morning. Nathaniel left a message wishing us peace. Even Diana sent a short note of approval.

I rested my head on his shoulder. “In my first life I never got this. I died before any real future started. Now I wake up every day and it’s real.”

Roman turned me to face him. “It’s real. And it stays that way.” His kiss came slow and sure. The possessive way he held my waist never changed. I kissed him back fully, no hesitation. Our days here followed a calm rhythm. Morning coffee together, walks on the beach, talks about merging the companies, and nights that built on the slow burn we started months ago.

We went inside for lunch. Simple seafood from the local market. I told him about one Ashworth property I wanted to turn into a community center. “It feels right. Closing the old cycle.”

He nodded while eating. “Do it. My team will handle the legal side. You lead on vision.”

His support felt complete. No questions about my memories anymore. He believed the full story and it made us stronger. After lunch we walked the beach hand in hand. Security stayed far back. The sun warmed my skin. For the first time in both lives I didn’t carry constant fear.

“You’ve changed too,” I said. “Less guarded. Still intense, but with me it’s softer.”

Roman squeezed my hand. “You made that happen. I read people for business. With you I just see my wife. My choice.”

We returned to the villa and worked lightly on our laptops side by side. I reviewed estate documents. He handled one Steele deal. Our styles matched. Quiet focus with occasional input. I caught a small tax detail he missed. He adjusted it immediately.

“See?” I said. “Team.”

He pulled my chair closer. “Always.” The kiss deepened fast. We left the laptops and moved to the bedroom. Clothes came off without a rush. His hands stayed possessive, attentive to every part of me. I touched him back with the same confidence. No shrinking. No past holding me back. We moved together steadily and intensely. Afterward he held me close, fingers tracing my back.

“No more dying,” he said quietly. “No more second chances needed. This is our only one and we live it.”

I traced his chest. “I love hearing that from you. The man who doesn’t waver.”

Evening brought a quiet dinner on the terrace. We talked about Carter and Delia’s growing relationship. “They’ll be good,” I said. “She keeps him honest. He makes her laugh.”

Roman agreed. “Carter already asked about ring ideas. He learns fast.”

We watched the sunset. Colors spread across the water. I felt female empowerment in my bones now. I claimed the inheritance, the name, the man, and my space. Family betrayal ended with the hearing. Revenge served its purpose and faded.

Back inside, Roman poured wine. “Tomorrow we extend the stay another week. No rush to return.”

“Yes,” I said. “I want more of this.”

We moved to the couch. His arm around me felt like home. We talked about the future. Kids someday. Business expansions. How to honor my grandmother’s real wishes with the estate. He listened completely. His obsessive attention now brought comfort instead of intensity alone.

Later in bed we came together again. Slow this time, savoring every moment. His eyes stayed locked on mine. “Mine,” he whispered.

“Yours,” I answered. “And you’re mine, Roman Steele.”

Sleep came easy with his heartbeat under my ear. Morning light woke me first. I made coffee and brought it to him in bed. He sat up and smiled that rare small smile.

“You’re spoiling me,” he said.

“Good. You deserve it after everything.”

We spent the day boating. The water felt freeing. No phones for hours. Just wind and conversation. I told him more small details from my old memories. He shared stories from building his empire. We fit.

Back at the villa Iris emailed updates. “Clarissa accepted full restrictions. Margaret’s case looks bad for her. No contact attempts.”

I showed Roman. “Closed chapter.”

He nodded. “We don’t look back.”

Delia called in the afternoon. “How’s married life? Carter says Roman sounds almost human now.”

I laughed. “Tell him he’s right. It’s good here. Come visit when we’re back.”

We cooked dinner together again. Roman chopped vegetables while I stirred sauce. Simple teamwork. After eating we danced slowly to music from my phone. No fancy steps. Just holding each other and moving.

“You stopped hiding completely,” he said against my hair. “I noticed the moment it happened. That’s when I knew.”

I looked up at him. “And I knew when you came for me after the crash. Even when my story sounded insane.”

The night ended with us tangled together. Passionate but familiar now. His possessive touch mixed with care. I felt empowered and loved. Star-crossed no longer. Forced proximity had become chosen forever.

The next few days followed the same peaceful pattern. Walks, talks, work, love. I signed off on the charity property remotely. Roman closed a big deal with my input. We grew closer every hour.

On our last evening I stood on the beach alone for a moment. Roman joined me. “Thinking about before?”

“A little,” I admitted. “Grateful it didn’t end that way.”

He wrapped his arms around me from behind. “It won’t. We will go home tomorrow. Start the real routine. Wife at my side in everything.”

I turned and kissed him. Deep and sure. “Ready.”

We flew back the next day. The penthouse felt like home. Carter and Delia greeted us with takeout. “Welcome back, newlyweds,” Carter said.

Delia hugged me. “You look relaxed. Good.”

We ate and caught up. Nathaniel called later. Everything stayed stable. Diana sent regards. Loose ends stayed tied.

That night in our bed I held Roman close. “Thank you for believing. For fighting with me.”

He kissed my forehead. “Thank you for coming back. For choosing not to step aside.”