Amanda had thought the hardest battles were behind them — Vanessa's sabotage, the press storm, the whispers in the office. But as the days unfolded, she realized the true test wasn't external. It was within their hearts.
Greyson had grown more protective, his presence around her sharper, his decisions more calculated. He shielded her from meetings, from reporters, from anything that might drag her deeper into his world. At first, Amanda thought it was care. But soon, she saw the truth: it was fear. Fear of losing her.
One evening, Amanda confronted him in his penthouse. The city lights glowed behind them, casting shadows across the room.
"You're keeping me at arm's length," she said quietly.
Greyson's jaw tightened. "I'm keeping you safe."
Amanda stepped closer, her voice trembling but firm. "Safe from what? From your enemies? From the press? Or from yourself?"
His eyes darkened, his silence heavy. Amanda pressed on. "You can't protect me by shutting me out. That's not love, Greyson. That's control. And I won't let you sacrifice us just to keep me in a glass box."
Greyson turned away, his hands clenched. "You don't understand what it costs to be with me. Every choice I make puts you at risk. Every enemy I face will use you against me. I can't—"
Amanda cut him off, her voice fierce. "Then let them. Let them try. Because I'd rather fight beside you than live without you."
The words hung in the air, raw and unyielding. Greyson turned back, his eyes blazing with conflict. For a moment, Amanda thought he might push her away again. But then, slowly, his expression softened.
"You're stronger than I am," he whispered.
Amanda shook her head, tears stinging her eyes. "No. We're stronger together. That's what love is — sacrifice, yes, but not isolation. If you keep me out, you'll lose me. And that's the one battle you can't afford."
Greyson's defenses cracked, his hand reaching for hers. His touch was firm, grounding, as though anchoring himself to her. "Then I'll stop fighting you. I'll fight with you."
Amanda's heart surged, the weight of his words settling deep. For the first time, she felt the balance shift — not Greyson protecting her, not Amanda proving herself, but both of them standing side by side.
Love, she realized, wasn't about shielding each other from sacrifice. It was about sharing it. And in that moment, Amanda knew they had crossed into something far deeper, far more dangerous, and far more powerful than either had imagined.