CLAIMED BY THE BILLIONAIRE'S ENEMY

Refusing the Impossible

Chapter Eight

The soft melody of the wind ring greeted Lena as she unlocked Hart's Blossoms the next morning.

She pushed aside the thoughts of Ethan Brooks' visit and focused on arranging fresh flowers in the display window. "Business first," she whispered to herself. No matter how unusual yesterday had been, life had to go on. She had rent to pay, suppliers waiting for their money, and a flower shop that depended entirely on her. The bell above the door rang. Lena looked up, expecting a customer.

Instead, she froze. Standing at the entrance was Damien Cross.

He was even more striking than she remembered. Dressed in a navy suit with a light bandage barely visible near his temple, he carried himself with quiet confidence. Yet there was something different from the man she had pulled from the wreckage. Today, he looked... human. Their eyes met, for a brief moment, neither of them spoke. "You..." Lena murmured. Damien smiled faintly, "So it really was you." Lena recovered herself and straightened the bouquet she had been arranging. "Mr. Cross, you shouldn't be out of the hospital." "My doctor disagrees." A small laugh escaped her before she could stop it. "I'm glad you're feeling better." "I came to thank you." "There was no need." "There was every need." He stepped closer, "You saved my life."

Lena looked down. "I simply did what anyone should have done." "No." His voice was calm but firm. "You did what no one else was willing to do."

Silence settled between them. Finally, Damien placed a small gift box on the counter. "I know you refused a reward." "I don't want your money." "It's not money." Curious, Lena opened the box. Inside was a silver brooch shaped like a lily, simple, elegant, beautiful. "My mother loved lilies," Damien said quietly. "She wore a brooch like this every spring. I had this one specially made after the accident." Lena gently closed the box. "It's beautiful." "I'd like you to keep it." She hesitated before nodding. "Thank you."

For the first time since entering the shop, Damien smiled genuinely, it transformed his usually stern face. "You have a beautiful shop." "My mother built it." "You've kept it alive." "I'm trying." He noticed the aging shelves, the worn wooden floor, and the careful way every flower was arranged despite the modest surroundings. Nothing here was luxurious, yet everything felt warm. It was a feeling his mansion had lacked for years. Just then, Ethan entered the shop, looking unusually serious. "Mr. Cross." Damien turned. "What is it?” "We need to leave." "Now?" "It's urgent." Damien excused himself and followed Ethan outside. As soon as they reached the car, Ethan handed him a confidential document, "Our overseas investors have made their final decision." Damien scanned the report. "They're pulling out?" "Unless..." He looked at Ethan. "Unless what?" "They've repeated the same condition."

Damien already knew the answer, "A public engagement." Ethan nodded. "They believe the future of Cross Group depends on showing stability." Damien stared through the windshield at the flower shop. Inside, Lena was helping an elderly customer choose a bouquet, completely unaware that her life was about to become entangled with his. An idea formed in Damien's mind, it sounded unreasonable, almost absurd.

But the more he considered it, the more it seemed like the only solution. "I need to speak to her again." Ethan looked puzzled. "About what?"

Damien's expression became unreadable.

"A proposal."

An hour later, Damien returned to the flower shop.

Lena looked surprised, "You forgot something?"

"Yes." "What?" He took a slow breath, "I want you to marry me." The pruning shears slipped from Lena's hand and clattered onto the wooden floor.

She stared at him, certain she had misheard. "I'm sorry..." Damien met her stunned gaze, "I said, I want you to marry me." For several long seconds, the shop was silent. Then Lena burst into nervous laughter. "You can't be serious." "I am." She shook her head repeatedly. "We barely know each other."

"I know." "You're one of the richest men in the country." "I know." "I'm a florist." "I know." "This is impossible." Damien remained calm, "It doesn't have to be." Lena stepped back, "No." He frowned slightly, "No?" "My answer is no." Without another word, she walked to the door and held it open.

"I think it's time for you to leave, Mr. Cross."

Damien looked at her for a long moment before giving a small nod. "I expected you to refuse."

"Then why ask?" "Because I don't give up easily."

He walked out of the shop. As the door closed behind him, Lena leaned against the counter, her heart racing. Had the city's most powerful billionaire really just proposed marriage? Outside, Damien climbed into his car. Ethan glanced at him, "How did it go?" Damien looked back at the flower shop. "She refused." "And now?" A determined smile appeared on Damien's face. "Now... I will convince her.”