Amara had gotten used to the quietness of Leonardo's life. His penthouse was a stronghold made of glass and steel, far above the city's chaos. For days, she had lived in a delicate bubble-where mornings started with laughter and evenings ended in peaceful talks.
But bubbles always pop.
On her way back from a charity lunch that Leonardo had urged her to attend, wanting her to engage in society on her own terms, she strolled through the hotel's marble lobby when a voice suddenly froze her in place.
"Amara."
Her heart raced. She turned slowly, and there he was.
Daniel.
He looked different-messy and uneasy, as if his well-crafted facade had crumbled. But his eyes were still sharp and intense, the same eyes that once mesmerized her and later trapped her.
"I've been searching for you," he said, a bitter smile on his lips. "Imagine my shock when I hear my wife is out flaunting herself with Leonardo DeLuca of all people."
His name dripped with disdain. People in the lobby began to look their way. Amara's heart pounded, shame and fear pressing heavily on her.
"I'm not your wife anymore, Daniel," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "You lost that privilege the moment you betrayed me."
His face grew dark. He stepped closer, lowering his tone. "Don't act innocent. I know what you've been doing. Running into another man's arms-does that really make you any better than me?"
Amara flinched, but before she could respond, another figure entered the lobby.
Leonardo.
He moved across the marble floor with quiet confidence, his gaze fixed on Daniel like a hawk on its prey. The atmosphere shifted around him, conversations quieted, and eyes turned.
"Watch your words," Leonardo said, his voice calm yet firm. He stood next to Amara, wrapping his arm protectively around her. "You've caused enough harm. You don't get to change the narrative."
Daniel's face turned red with anger. "And who
are you to intervene? This is between me and my wife."
"Ex-wife"" Leonardo smoothly corrected. His gaze sharpened, cold enough to pierce. "And she isn't alone anymore. So if you want to challenge your luck, do it with me—not with her."
His words hung heavily in the air. Daniel's confidence wavered, his jaw tightening. For the first time, Amara saw him shrink in another man's presence.
Her heart raced, adrenaline pumping through her. In that moment, she realized something-she wasn't trembling because of Daniel anymore. She wasn't afraid. Not really.
"I don't belong to you, Daniel," she declared, her voice ringing out in the lobby. "Not now, not ever again."
A silence settled in. Even Daniel appeared momentarily taken aback by her resolve.
Leonardo gently squeezed her hand, his silent approval wrapping around her like armor.
Daniel's face hardened, but he took a step back, his pride forcing him to withdraw for now. "This isn't finished," he spat before leaving in a huff.
Amara let out a shaky breath, her legs nearly giving out. Leonardo was there to steady her, guiding her to the elevator.
"You were amazing," he said softly as the doors closed.
"No," she whispered, tears threatening to spill. "I was scared."
He lifted her chin until her eyes met his. "That's the point. You were scared, and you still stood your ground. That's strength, Amara."
Her heart swelled with his words. For the first time, she believed him.