Rowan's POV
Eventually, Ulyana calmed down, her tears stopped and her breathing steadied.
The sunset continued painting the ocean in shades of gold while she remained tucked against his side.
Slowly, she lifted her head.
Her eyes were still glassy.
Still red.
Still beautiful.
Rowan's heart squeezed, he hated seeing her upset. Especially when he didn't know why.
One of his hands came up to gently brush a strand of hair behind her ear.
"What'd I do, Angel?" he asked softly.
She immediately shook her head.
"I'll fix it."
That only seemed to make her more emotional.
A watery laugh escaped her, then she looked down at her hands.
"The problem is…"
Rowan waited patiently.
"…I like you."
The confession came out in a rush. Before she immediately buried her face in her hands.
Rowan blinked.
Then blinked again.
"That's the problem?" Despite himself, a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Ulyana groaned. "It is…"
The poor thing sounded genuinely distressed. Rowan couldn't help laughing softly.
Not at her.
Just at the absurdity of the situation.
"Angel."
She refused to look at him.
He gently pulled one of her hands away from her face.
"Why is that a problem?"
The question was quiet.
Careful.
And suddenly Ulyana's expression crumpled again.
The answer clearly wasn't simple.
"Because…"
She swallowed.
Then looked away toward the ocean.
"Because I still have lingering feelings for…"
Her voice faded, she never finished the sentence but she didn't need to.
Rowan wasn't stupid.
And he certainly wasn't blind.
A heavy silence settled between them.
The wind moved through the cliffside grass.
The waves crashed below.
For a brief moment, Rowan felt something unpleasant twist in his chest.
Jealousy.
Not anger.
Not resentment.
Just the uncomfortable realization that someone else occupied part of her heart. But just as quickly as the feeling appeared, he pushed it aside because she was being honest with him.
And honesty deserved grace.
Not punishment.
Rowan exhaled slowly then reached over and gently took her hand.
She finally looked at him.
Waiting.
Bracing.
As though she expected disappointment.
Or frustration.
Or worse.
Instead Rowan squeezed her hand softly.
"Angel." His voice was calm.
Steady.
"You don't have to apologize for your feelings."
Ulyana stared at him. "Mhm."
"You don't decide those overnight."
She remained silent.
"And I'm certainly not going to be upset because you're trying to figure your heart out."
Something vulnerable flickered across her face.
Rowan smiled gently. "Truthfully?"
She nodded.
"I'd be more concerned if you weren't taking it seriously."
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Then Rowan leaned back against the bench.
His gaze drifting toward the sunset.
"I like you too."
The admission came easily.
Honestly.
No games.
No expectations.
Just truth.
"And because I like you…" He looked at her again. "I want you to choose whatever makes you happiest."
Ulyana's eyes immediately filled with tears again.
"Please don't cry."
A laugh escaped her. "I'm trying."
"You're doing terribly."
That finally earned a genuine smile.
And seeing it made Rowan feel like he could breathe again because regardless of how complicated things became, he never wanted her to feel like she had to carry them alone.
Ulyana sniffled softly.
She accepted the handkerchief Rowan offered her and carefully dabbed at her eyes before taking a steadying breath.
The sunset cast a warm golden glow across the ocean below them.
For a moment she simply looked at him.
Really looked at him.
Then she shook her head in disbelief. "What kind of great thing did I achieve in my past life to get you in this one?"
Rowan's eyebrows lifted slightly. "That's a dangerous question."
"I'm serious."
She pointed the handkerchief at him accusingly.
"You're so patient, wise, kind..."
Then her gaze drifted over his face. "And annoyingly handsome."
That finally earned a laugh from Rowan.
But Ulyana wasn't finished. "I genuinely think I have to be receiving some kind of divine reward."
Rowan looked away briefly, smiling to himself.
"Angel."
"No, I'm serious."
She shifted closer and leaned her shoulder against his.
"I've been crying over an emotional disaster of my own making for the last half hour."
"You've hardly been a disaster."
"And you've just sat here being understanding."
Rowan shrugged. "I like you."
As if that explained everything.
To him, perhaps it did.
Ulyana stared at him.
Then immediately buried her face in her hands again.
"See? You keep doing that."
"Doing what?"
"Being wonderful."
Rowan laughed. "That's a first."
She lowered her hands and looked at him again.
"No."
Her voice softened. "People probably tell you you're powerful."
"They do."
"Successful."
"They do."
"Intimidating."
"They definitely do."
Ulyana smiled. "But I don't think enough people tell you you're good."
For once, Rowan didn't have a witty response.
The words seemed to catch him off guard.
His smile faded into something quieter.
Something more thoughtful.
For a few moments he simply watched the sunset.
Then finally he spoke. "You have a habit of seeing things in people that they don't see in themselves."
Ulyana immediately pointed at him. "See?"
"What?"
"That was wise."
Rowan groaned.
Ulyana laughed for the first time since they'd sat down on the cliffside.
A genuine laugh.
And hearing it made something in Rowan's chest loosen.
Because if he was being honest he'd take her laughter over any divine reward.
Rowan watched her for a few moments.
The sunset reflected in her eyes. The handkerchief still clutched in her hands.
The sight softened him completely, then he remembered something.
"Actually…"
Ulyana looked at him. "Hmm?"
"I have something for you."
Immediately her curiosity sparked. "You do?"
"Yeah."
A faint smile crossed his face. "I nearly forgot to give it to you."
Ulyana sat up straighter.
"What is it?"
Rowan reached into the inside pocket of his jacket before pulling out a small velvet box.
The moment Ulyana saw it, her eyes widened.
"Rowan…"
"No."
He pointed at her. "You have to promise not to cry."
"I can't promise that."
"Angel, I'm begging you."
"I'm being honest."
Rowan sighed dramatically, then opened the box. Inside rested a delicate silver necklace.
Elegant.
Simple.
Timeless.
The pendant was a smooth silver disc.
On one side was an engraved angel
On the other was the Volkov family crest.
Ulyana stared silently.
Her breath caught.
And suddenly Rowan looked far less confident than usual.
He rubbed the back of his neck. "This necklace…"
His voice softened. "…is for you to hold onto while I'm gone."
Ulyana looked up at him.
Then back at the necklace.
Rowan continued.
"I don't know if I'll be gone for a few weeks or a few months but this is my promise."
His eyes met hers. "A promise that I'm not abandoning you."
The emotion in her face immediately intensified.
Which caused Rowan to beg her again.
"No."
Too late, her eyes were already filling. Rowan ignored it and continued anyway.
"It's also my promise that I'll come back in one piece."
The words were spoken simply.
Matter-of-factly.
Yet somehow that made them feel even more sincere.
Then his expression softened further. And for perhaps the first time all evening, he allowed himself to be completely honest.
"I have every intention of making you my wife one day."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Then a tear escaped.
Followed by another.
And another.
"Oh for—" Rowan immediately groaned. "Angel."
Ulyana laughed through her tears, which only made her cry harder.
"Hey."
"No."
"Hey."
She covered her face. "You can't be this sweet and expect no tears from me."
Rowan couldn't help laughing. "I specifically requested no crying."
"Your request has been denied."
"Clearly."
He carefully removed the necklace from the box.
Then moved behind her and gently fastened it around her neck.
The silver pendant settled against her skin.
Perfectly.
When Rowan sat beside her again, his fingers found the pendant and lightly tapped it.
"If you miss me…"
His voice was quiet.
Gentle.
"Just hold onto this."
Ulyana looked down at the necklace then back at him.
"And I'll call as much as I can."
The sincerity in his voice nearly started the tears all over again.
Rowan immediately saw it happening.
"Angel, please."
A laugh escaped her. "I can't help it."
"You're impossible."
"So are you."
For a moment they simply sat together.
The ocean stretched endlessly before them. The sun slowly disappeared beyond the horizon. And Ulyana held the pendant tightly in her hand as though it were already something precious.
Rowan pulled her into another hug.
A proper one.
The kind that lingered.
The kind that said everything words couldn't.
He held her tightly and silently hoped she could feel the weight of his sincerity.
Every promise.
Every intention.
Every plan he had for a future that included her.
Ulyana hugged him back just as tightly.
And silently hoped he could feel hers too.
Eventually they pulled apart.
Neither particularly eager to be the first one to let go.
But reality had a schedule.
And Rowan had a flight to catch.
Together they walked back through the estate.
By now, the atmosphere had shifted into departure mode.
Vehicles were being prepared.
Security personnel were moving equipment.
Luggage was being loaded.
Everyone seemed to be moving with purpose.
The operation had officially begun.
Lionel was already waiting beside Rowan's vehicle.
The chauffeur opened the rear door.
"Chairman. Madam."
"Thanks Lionel."
The older man smiled knowingly.
"My pleasure, Madam."
The drive to the airport began shortly afterward.
Ulyana sat tucked against Rowan's side in the back seat.
His arm rested around her shoulders while her head leaned comfortably against him.
Neither seemed particularly interested in letting go.
Lionel, to his credit, behaved as though he noticed absolutely nothing.
A true professional.
-
Meanwhile, in the vehicle behind them…
Hak was in a terrible mood.
Not that he'd admit it.
He sat staring out the window looking completely unreadable.
Which was exactly how Graham knew something was wrong.
Because Hak only became this quiet when he was actively thinking himself into misery.
Graham glanced over. "What's up your arse, kid?"
Hak didn't even look at him. "Leave me alone, Graham."
"Hm."
"I have a headache."
Graham nodded thoughtfully.
A headache called Ulyana.
Thankfully he valued his life enough not to say that out loud.
Instead he simply leaned back in his seat.
"Right."
Hak shot him a warning glare.
Graham immediately looked out the window.
Whistling innocently.
Back in Rowan's car, the atmosphere was considerably more pleasant.
Rowan gently squeezed Ulyana's shoulder.
"Don't be too sad, Angel."
She sighed dramatically. "I'm trying."
"You'll survive."
"Debatable."
That earned a laugh from him. "It's okay."
She looked up at him.
Rowan smiled. "You have plenty of work to keep you busy."
"That's true."
"And besides…"
A smug look appeared on his face. "We're already loved by the public."
Ulyana immediately laughed. "That is true."
Then she suddenly pulled out her phone.
Rowan instantly narrowed his eyes. "No."
"Yes."
"Please. No."
"Rowan."
"Angel."
She was already opening the camera.
"We need photos."
"We absolutely do not."
"We absolutely do."
Rowan groaned.
Ulyana ignored him.
The first selfie happened before he could properly protest.
Then another.
Then another.
One where she smiled brightly while Rowan looked mildly inconvenienced.
One where she caught him looking at her instead of the camera.
One where she forced him to smile.
Eventually Rowan gave up entirely.
The battle was lost.
"Happy?"
"Very."
She immediately began reviewing them, then smiled softly at the screen.
Because despite his complaints he looked happy in every single one.
And so did she.
For a little while longer, they remained curled up together in the back seat.
Taking photos.
Talking quietly.
Pretending the airport wasn't getting closer with every passing minute.