The billionaire’s secret heir

The proposal

The ring box was on his desk when I got to the office at 8AM.

Black velvet.

No note.

Damian was on a call, but his eyes were on me. On the red dress from last night.

I’d changed into my black pants and white blouse. Armor.

He hung up. "You saw it."

"I did."

"Put it on."

I didn’t move. "No."

His jaw ticked. "Excuse me?"

"I said no, Damian."

My voice didn’t shake. For the first time in a week, it didn’t shake.

He stood slowly. Walked around the desk.

"You told my grandmother yes."

"Because you trapped me," I snapped. "In front of doctors and nurses and your dying grandma."

"She’s not dying."

"I know."

We stared at each other.

The office was silent except for the city 58 floors below.

"You think I’m a coward, don’t you?" I said. "That I’ll just do whatever you say to save my shop."

"I think you’re tired of running," he said quietly.

"Don’t talk about Leo."

"I’m his father, Lila."

"Biology doesn’t make you a father."

The words hit him. I saw it.

Good.

He picked up the ring box. Opened it.

A 3-carat diamond. It caught the light and threw it everywhere.

"It’s not about the ring," he said. "It’s about you stopping lying to me."

"Then stop ordering me around."

"Then stop hiding my son from me."

We were both breathing hard now.

He stepped closer. Too close.

"You want to fight me, Lila? Fine. Fight me."

His hand came up. Not to grab me. To tuck hair behind my ear. Gentle.

Like he had the right.

Like he’d done it for years.

"But don’t you dare tell me you don’t feel this," he murmured. "When I touch you. When I say your name. When I look at Leo and see myself."

My chest hurt. "It’s not that simple."

"It is. Marry me. Not for the debt. Not for Grandma."

He dropped to one knee. Right there on the $2,000 rug.

The CEO of Cross Industries. On his knees. For me.

"Marry me because for 5 years I’ve wondered what happened to the girl with red hair who ruined me in one night."

Tears burned. "You don’t love me."

"Then let me prove it."

He held the ring out.

I looked at it. Then at him.

This wasn’t the cruel man

This was a man begging.

My hand was shaking when I took it.

Not because I was scared.

Because I was choosing.

"I’m not your assistant anymore," I whispered.

"No," he said, standing. Slid the ring on my finger. It fit perfectly.

"You’re my fiancée."

He didn’t kiss me. Not yet.

He just rested his forehead against mine.

"I’ve waited 5 years, Lila. I can wait until you say you want me too."

The intercom buzzed. "Mr. Cross, Leo is here. With Ms. Maya."

My blood froze.

Damian pulled back. His eyes went hard. Then soft when he looked at me.

"Then let’s go meet our son. Together."

He took my hand. Ring and all.

And for the first time, I didn’t pull away.