Dane's POV
The soft glow of morning light spills into the room, blending with the distant sound of waves brushing the shore. My head rests against Daniel's chest, his steady heartbeat echoing in my ear — calm, rhythmic, comforting. I lift my gaze to his face, tracing the outline of his sharp features. Even in sleep, he looks perfect.
I don't know when it happened — when I started falling for him, when I finally allowed my heart to open again. He's so stubborn… and yet, he managed to find his way in.
A faint smile touches my lips — but it fades as Serena's words replay in my mind.
"You really think he's serious with you? My son always gets what he wants, and once he does, he grows bored. If he truly loved you, he'd announce it to the world."
Her voice cuts through me like a blade. My chest tightens. I sit up quietly, staring down at him.
Maybe she's right. Maybe I'm not that lucky. My whole life has been a cycle of betrayal and abandonment — so why should this be any different?
