"I was engaged once," he said, keeping his voice steady. "It was just a business deal, nothing more. A way for our families to team up. I never liked it and didn't want it at all. I called it off months ago. She's completely out of the picture now."
He didn't go into all the details, the nasty politics, the blackmail, the threats that had pushed him into it in the first place. That could wait. For now, the main point was clear: the engagement was done, and he wanted nothing to do with that woman anymore.
Aylin looked into his eyes, trying to find any hint of a lie, and found none.
"Really?" she whispered.
"Really." He kissed the tip of her nose. "You're the only one I want. The only one I've ever wanted like this. So please, baby, get some sleep. You're exhausted."
She let out a shaky breath, feeling a little of the weight in her chest lift. She curled up closer to him, resting her cheek against his heartbeat.
"Okay," she murmured.
