"And yet, this is a secret, Dominic. The worst kind. A two-year secret."
His voice dropped. "I love you."
Her chin quivered.
"I love you, and I was a coward. I was terrified the truth would make you hate me."
"It might."
He nodded slowly. "If it does, I'll take it. But I couldn't keep lying. Not when you look at me like I hold your entire world. I had to give you mine, even if it's ugly. Even if it breaks us."
Her eyes burned.
"Celeste, I swear to you, there's no more watching. I fell in love with you, not the girl in that folder."
She looked down at the file. Her face stared back at her from one of the photographs. Happy. Oblivious.
Then, softly, she asked, "Are there more files?"
He didn't hesitate. "Yes."
"On who?"
"Landon. His family. Anyone who could touch mine."
He walked forward. Slowly. Until he was right in front of her.
Her chest heaved.
"Celeste, I swear it. You are my family now."
