Page 109 of The Secret Heir Next Door

With Logan by my side, forever doesn’t seem long enough.

The plane’sengines hum softly beneath us as we take off, the noise vibrating through the luxurious cabin of Logan’s private jet. I sink back into the plush leather seat, feeling the adrenaline of the day still pulsing in my veins.

The evening sun streams through the windows, casting a warm, golden light over everything, and Logan’s hand is firmly wrapped around mine, his thumb gently stroking the back of my fingers. It’s the first moment we’ve had alone all day, and it feels like magic.

“You know,” he says, leaning in closer, using that warm teasing tone I’ve come to love, “I think I’m finally starting to believe today was real.”

I laugh, tilting my head back against the seat. “Same here. I keep expecting to wake up and find out this was all just a beautiful dream.”

He grins, his eyes sparkling as he turns toward me, brushing a stray curl away from my face. “No dream, Mrs. Pierce. This is our reality now.”

Hearing my new last name makes my heart flutter. I’m his, and he’s mine, and nothing else in the world matters now. I squeeze his hand, letting the comfort of his touch sink into me.

“So, are you finally going to tell me where we’re going, Mr. Pierce?” I ask, feigning impatience, though I’m secretly thrilled by the surprise. Logan has been tight-lipped about the honeymoon destination, only hinting that it’s somewhere remote and beautiful, a place where we can just be together with no distractions.

His smile widens, his eyes never leaving mine. “Alright, alright. I’ll give you a hint. It’s somewhere you’ve always wanted to go but never thought you’d have the chance.”

I raise an eyebrow, curious. “That could be a lot of places.”

“True,” he admits, laughing softly. “But I think this one will be extra special.” He pulls out his phone and shows me a photo of a pristine, secluded beach—the kind you see on postcards and in travel magazines but never imagine you’ll actually visit. The sand is blindingly white, the water a dazzling shade of turquoise, and there’s not another soul in sight.

“It’s a private island,” Logan explains, his voice tinged with pride. “In the Maldives. Just us, the ocean, and all the time in the world.”

I gasp, my eyes widening as I take in the breathtaking image. “Logan, this is… it’s stunning. I can’t believe you did this.”

“I’d do anything for you,” he says simply, his eyes soft as they meet mine. “I wanted this to be perfect.”

I lean over, kissing him softly, letting the gratitude and love I feel pour into the touch of our lips. He’s given me so much more than I ever thought I deserved, and this—this private paradise—is just one more way he’s shown me how deeply he loves me.

We spend the next few hours talking, laughing, and enjoying the luxury of having this time just to ourselves. He pours us glasses of champagne, and we toast to our new life together, clinking the crystal flutes gently before taking slow sips.

“I still can’t believe how much everything has changed,” I say, gazing out the window at the sky, turning a deep shade of blue as the sun sets. “My little candy shop has grown so much… and now we own the building. It’s like a dream.”

He smiles, setting his glass down and turning to face me fully. “It’s not just a dream, Serena. You made that happen. The shop is thriving because of your talent, your passion, and your hard work. I’m just happy I get to be a part of it.”

We’d bought the building together just a few months ago, deciding to go forward with Logan’s vision of executive studio apartments. But instead of displacing the current tenants, we’d found a way to incorporate their businesses into the plan, giving everyone a chance to thrive. It was the kind of compromise I never thought was possible, but he made it work.

“And your plan for the apartments is brilliant,” I tell him, my voice full of admiration. “The way you found a way to keep all the shops and make the space work for everyone… it’s amazing.”

He shrugs modestly, but I can see the pride in his eyes. “It’s all about balance. I wanted to make sure we weren’t just creating something new but preserving what was already there. And hey, your shop will be the centerpiece of it all. Everyone will be lining up to get your chocolates and candies.”

I smile. Once just a pipe dream, my little candy shop has become something much bigger. And I have Logan to thank for believing in me and for giving me the confidence to expand and grow in ways I never thought possible.

We talk more about our plans—how the shop has seen a surge of customers, thanks in part to Logan’s relentless marketing strategies, and how he’s managed to win over my heart and the hearts of so many others. I can see how proud he is of our success, and I’m equally proud of the man he’s become, especially in light of everything he’s had to overcome with his family.

“How are things with your parents?” I ask gently, knowing that it’s been a complicated road for him.

Logan leans back, his expression thoughtful. “Better, I think. It’s been a slow process, but they’re coming around. They’ve seen how happy you make me, and I think that’s helped them accept us. Mom even apologized for some of the things she said. She actually expressed regret for not being at our wedding.”

I reach out, placing my hand on his arm. “I’m glad. I know how much that means to you. And I’d like to include them in our future.”

He nods, his eyes meeting mine with a softness that tugs at my heart. “You’ve been amazing through all of it. I know it wasn’t easy, but you’ve handled it with grace. And I think… I think they see now why you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

I smile, feeling a swell of emotion. “They’ve been really kind lately. I feel like I’m finally part of your family, which means everything.”

“You are my family,” Logan says, his voice deep and sincere. “And nothing’s ever going to change that.”

The momentwe step off the plane, I’m hit by the warm, salty breeze of the Maldives, the sun already kissing my skin as we make our way to the private boat that will take us to the island. The water is impossibly blue, clear enough that I can see fish darting around the coral below.

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