TITLE:RUNAWAY BRIDE

Chapter 16: NO MORE SECRETS

We didn’t sleep that night.

Not because we were scared. Because we finally talked.

Alex sat on the floor by the fireplace. I sat across from him with a blanket over both of us.

"No more secrets," he said. "Starting with me."

"Okay," I whispered.

"I didn’t marry you just to save you from Daniel," Alex said. "I told myself that. Told my lawyers that. But the truth is..."

He looked up at me. "The day you walked into my office screaming about your sister’s hospital bill, I couldn’t stop thinking about you."

"Alex..."

"I’m 34. I’ve dated models. CEOs. I’ve never cared," he ran a hand through his hair. "But you? You yelled at me. Called me heartless. And I liked it."

I laughed. Couldn’t help it. "You’re weird."

"I know," he smiled. Small. Real. "When Daniel showed up, I used the contract as an excuse. To keep you close. Because I was too scared to just ask you out like a normal person."

"So all of this... the protection, the island..."

"Was me being terrified I’d lose you," Alex finished. "And terrified you’d say no if I was honest."

The fire crackled.

I scooted closer. "What if I say yes now?"

Alex went still. "Yes to what?"

"Yes to real," I said. "No contract. No Daniel. Just us."

For a second he didn’t move. Then he pulled me into his lap.

"Lily," he said against my hair. "I’ve wanted to hear that for weeks."

He kissed me. Not desperate this time.

Soft. Sure. Like a promise.

When we pulled apart, he rested his forehead on mine.

"Daniel can wait till morning," Alex whispered. "Tonight is just us."

And for the first time, I believed him.