Page 105 of The Secret Heir Next Door

By the time we’re done, it’s late afternoon, and we’re both covered in dust and sweat, but the shop looks better than it has in weeks. Logan sits back, surveying our handiwork with pride.

“Not bad,” he says, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. “We make a pretty good team.”

I smile, feeling a deep contentment as I look around the shop. There’s still work to do, but for the first time, it doesn’t feel like a burden. It feels like a fresh start.

“Yeah,” I agree, leaning against the counter beside him. “We really do.”

28

LOGAN

The day begins with a relentless buzz of nerves I haven’t felt since my first big deal. Today isn’t about closing a contract or buying out a competitor—it’s about Serena—about us, and about a future that I can’t wait to start building.

I’ve spent the last few weeks planning every detail of this proposal, and now, as I stand in my house, I’m running through everything one last time in my mind, hoping it’ll be perfect.

She deserves perfection.

I’ve orchestrated enough grand gestures in my career to know that the difference between good and unforgettable is in the details. And today, every single detail is for Serena. She doesn’t need any of this; she’s never asked for anything other than my time and honesty. But that’s exactly why I want to do this—because she deserves to be shown just how much she means to me in a way that only I can give her.

I glance down at my watch—everything is right on schedule. I’ve had my assistant, Grace, running interference all morning, keeping Serena distracted with a “business consultation” at her shop. Little does Serena know it’s just a ruse to keep her busyenough for me to set everything up. I’ve planned this to the last second, and the anticipation is killing me.

The ring sits in my jacket pocket, heavy with promise. It’s not just any ring—it’s a custom piece designed with Serena in mind. The center diamond is flanked by smaller sapphires, the exact color of her eyes when she’s excited. I spent hours with the jeweler, making sure every detail was right, even down to the subtle engravings on the band: “Forever, My Serena.”

But the ring is just the beginning.

I check my phone—everything’s ready. The rooftop garden at our favorite restaurant has been transformed into a romantic wonderland, draped with fairy lights and candles that’ll flicker to life as the sun sets.

I’ve got a string quartet warming up in the corner, their soft melodies already drifting up to my ears as I think about the evening ahead. And then there’s the pièce de résistance: the city skyline, spread out like a blanket of glittering stars, just for us.

I’m interrupted by a knock on the door. It’s Brant, the only person I’ve let in on my plans today. He’s dressed sharply in a black suit, holding two glasses of champagne.

“You look like you’re about to negotiate a hostile takeover,” he says with a smirk, handing me a glass. “Nervous?”

I take the glass, but I don’t drink yet. My nerves are buzzing, but it’s the kind of excitement I haven’t felt in a long time. “You have no idea.”

He chuckles, clinking his glass against mine. “Relax. You’ve got this. She’s going to love it. Serena’s crazy about you, Logan. This is just icing on the cake.”

I nod, trying to steady my nerves. “I just want it to be right. She deserves everything.”

Brant takes a sip of his champagne, eyeing me over the rim. “And she’s getting everything. You’re doing this exactly how itshould be done—big, bold, and straight from the heart. Just don’t overthink it.”

Easy for him to say. But he’s right. Tonight isn’t about impressing Serena with the glitz and glamour—it’s about showing her that she’s the most important thing in my life. I take a deep breath, let it out slowly, and finally take a sip of champagne. “Thanks, man.”

Brant gives me a pat on the back. “Alright, she’ll be here soon. I’m going to head downstairs to make sure everything’s set. You’ve got this.”

I nod, and Brant disappears, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the soft music drifting up from the rooftop. I check my watch again—Serena should be arriving any minute. I take a moment to look out at the city, my city, the place I’ve built my empire, and I realize that none of it matters if I don’t have her by my side.

My phone buzzes, and my heart leaps when I see Grace’s text.

She’s on her way.

I quickly pull on my jacket, smoothing it down. The garden is set, the quartet is playing softly, and the candles are all in place, their tiny flames flickering in the evening breeze. This is it. I step onto the rooftop, the city lights reflecting off the glass walls of the surrounding buildings, creating a stunning, almost surreal backdrop.

I hear the door to the rooftop open, and there she is—Serena, standing there in a simple but beautiful dress that flows in the breeze. She looks around, her mouth falling open as she takes it all in, and I can see the exact moment she realizes that all of this is for her.

“Logan… what is this?” she asks, her voice filled with awe.

I smile, taking a few steps toward her. “Hey, beautiful. I wanted to do something special for you tonight.”

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