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“That ringtone. It’s Elijah,” he says. “I’m sorry, Blue, but I have to take this. He wouldn’t call this weekend if it wasn’t important.”

I nod, trying to hide my disappointment as he rolls off me and grabs his phone. He steps out onto the balcony, closing the door behind him.

I sit up, pulling the sheets around me. The warmth of our embrace is gone, replaced by a chill that has nothing to do with the temperature. I strain to hear Connor’s voice, but it’s muffled by the glass.

Minutes pass, each one feeling like an eternity. My mind races with possibilities. What could be so urgent that Elijah would interrupt our weekend together? Shouldn’t he be with Gemma?

The door slides open, and Connor steps back inside, his face grim.

“What is it?” I ask.

Connor sits on the edge of the bed, his shoulders slumped. “Gemma’s gone. With Oliver.”

I stare at him, my brain struggling to process his words. “What? That’s impossible. Gemma hates Oliver. She’d never go anywhere with him.”

Chapter 47

Epilogue Mary

“Thank you all for coming. I think we made excellent progress today.” I close my leather portfolio with a snap. “Let’s reconvene next week to review the financials and finalize the details.”

A chorus of ‘Thank you, Mrs. Milton’ and ‘Have a good weekend’ fills the conference room as my executive team files out.

I linger for a moment, enjoying the skyline view from the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city sprawling out before me. A smile tugs at my lips as I think back on how far I’ve come.

15 years ago, fresh out of college, I never could have imagined I’d be here—CEO of Wempton Hotel Enterprises, responsible for locations around the whole world and shaping the future of the company my great-grandfather built from nothing.

But then again, I never could have imagined a lot of things back then. Like falling head over heels for a brilliant, broodinghacker who turned my world upside down or discovering that said hacker had been secretly watching me for years and knew every aspect of my life.

My phone buzzes in my purse. I fish it out, a grin already forming as I see the name flashing on the screen.

Connor: Landed and on the way to the last plane. Miss you already.

Mary: Hurry home. Your wife has plans for you tonight ;)

Connor: Fuck. You’re killing me, Blue.

Warmth spreads through my chest, desire already simmering low in my belly. Even after all these years, he still affects me like no one else.

My stalker, my husband, and my partner in every sense of the word. The man who sees me, all of me, and loves me not in spite of my flaws and scars but because of them.

He’s been gone for a week, and it’s killing me.

I slide my phone back into my purse and gather my things, my heels clicking against the marble as I stride out of the conference room.

Jenna, my assistant, falls into step beside me, tablet in hand. “The school called. They wanted to confirm you’re picking up the kids today.”

“I am. Connor’s flying back from his business trip, so we’re having a family night at my parents.”

“Sounds lovely. I’ll make sure your schedule is clear for the rest of the day.”

“Thanks. Great work today. They loved your idea about the little affirmation notes for the restaurants. We’ll talk about your next steps in this company when I get back.”

She beams at the praise. “Happy to help, Mrs. Milton. Enjoy your weekend.”

With a parting wave, she peels off down a side hallway, already tapping away at her tablet while I continue to the elevator.

Family dinners at my parents are a regular occurrence now, a far cry from the tense, formal ones we had back then. In the years since Connor and I married, since our children were born, something has shifted. Softened.

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