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Ariana’s lips press into a thin line. “I’m grateful you’ve given him a good job, Valen. Really, I am.”
“But?” I sense a storm brewing.
She takes a deep breath. “But it feels like you’re trying to control me through him.”
Control her? The idea is ludicrous and yet it hits me like a punch to the gut. “Control you? That wasn’t my intention.”
“Wasn’t it?” Her eyes search mine for sincerity. “This feels like a line you’ve crossed—a line I never even thought was there.”
I unfold my arms, letting them fall to my sides as I process her words. “Ariana, your father deserved better than what Arcturus was giving him. It was purely... practical.”
“Practical for whom?” she shoots back. “You didn't even ask me how I felt! It’s too convenient that you’re helping my family right when we’re... involved.”
“Involved?” The word tastes bitter in my mouth. “We’re more than just ‘involved,’ Ariana.”
She shakes her head, frustration coloring her cheeks red. “It’s not that simple for me! You have all this power and influence,and then you use it to help my family without even discussing it with me first?”
“I thought you’d be pleased.” My voice hardens despite myself.
“I should be,” she admits softly. “But it feels like... leverage.”
Leverage? That stings more than any accusation could. I take a step closer to her, lowering my voice. “Ariana, look at me.” She meets my gaze reluctantly. “Do you really think I’d use your father’s job as leverage over you?”
“I don’t know,” she whispers.
My hand twitches at my side, resisting the urge to reach out and touch her face, to comfort her somehow. “I’m not that man,” I say firmly.
“How do I know that?” Her voice trembles slightly.
“You don’t,” I admit after a beat of silence. “But I’ll prove it to you if you let me.”
Her eyes soften just a fraction as she considers my words.
“I didn’t do this to manipulate you,” I continue earnestly. “I did it because your family deserves better—because you deserve better.”
Ariana looks away, chewing on her lower lip as she processes what I've said.
She sighs, running a hand through her hair. "I know I should be grateful, but what happens if this doesn't work between us? What if you stop being in love with me? Will you take it all away? Do I have to make sure I'm pretty and perfect forever so you don't ruin my family?"
The vulnerability in her voice pierces through my defenses. I step closer, keeping my tone steady. "Ariana, listen to me. I understand where you're coming from now. But remember what I told you—I need my business to succeed no matter what."
She looks at me with those wide, earnest eyes, searching for sincerity. "And my father working for you is part of that?"
"Yes," I admit, "but it’s a nice bonus that it helps someone I care about too."
She looks down, her fingers fiddling with the hem of her dress. "It's just... a lot to process."
I take her hand gently, lifting her chin so our eyes meet again. "I understand your fears." Even though I know I'll never be able to leave her, our bond will make sure of that. But she doesn't know that, not yet. So I have to prove it to her.
Her eyes widen slightly at my intensity.
"I'll show you I respect you more than that," I continue, my voice softer now but no less firm. "I'm willing to prove it to you."
She hesitates for a moment before speaking again. "How?"
"By giving you more control," I say simply. "You’ll be involved in decisions that affect you and your family. This isn’t about power over you; it's about building something together."
Ariana looks thoughtful, her brow furrowing slightly. "That sounds... fair."
