Sunday afternoon.
Ana was barefoot, dancing around the kitchen to an old English love song playing from her phone.
Christian sat on the couch with a book he wasn't really reading — watching her instead.
And for a moment…
It felt like peace.
Until the knock at the door shattered it.
🚪 The Unexpected Visitor
Ana opened it without thinking.
And then froze.
"Leo?"
Christian looked up instantly.
A tall, tanned man with stormy eyes and an artist's smile stood in the doorway. Holding a small box.
"Hey," he said casually. "I was in town. Thought I'd return your sketchbook. Figured you'd want it back."
Ana's mouth moved but no sound came out.
Christian stood, slow and tall behind her.
The air changed.
Thick. Cold.
"Leo, this is… Christian," Ana finally said, voice tight.
Leo offered a hand. "Nice to meet you."
Christian didn't shake it.
"Same," he replied evenly.
💥 The Tension That Followed
Once Leo left — after a way-too-long chat and one way-too-familiar smile — the silence exploded.
"You forgot to mention him," Christian said quietly.
"I didn't forget. I just didn't think he mattered anymore."
Christian's jaw flexed.
Ana crossed her arms. "Don't do that."
"Do what?"
"Shut down like I betrayed you for having a life before you."
🧨 The Fear Beneath It All
Christian's voice lowered. "He looked at you like he still had a chance."
Ana paused.
Then walked toward him — slow, deliberate.
"And you looked at him like one smile could take me away."
He didn't respond.
She stepped closer. "You said you weren't afraid of losing your empire anymore. But you're still scared of losing me."
He looked at her now, really looked.
And all the power in his shoulders melted away.
"I've never had to fight for someone," he whispered.
"You don't have to fight," Ana said. "You just have to stay. Even when it's hard. Even when someone from my past shows up."
Christian nodded slowly.
And pulled her into his arms.
Not possessively.
Not to prove a point.
Just to hold her like someone he refused to lose.
To be continued…