---- Chapter 17 Ember found herself surprised by the depth of her feelings for Gael. It wasn't the frantic, all-consuming obsession she'd had for Julian, but something quieter, stronger, and infinitely more real. It was a love built on mutual respect and shared purpose. When Gael confessed that his family's influence was the reason her trail had gone cold, and that he had orchestrated the final downfall of the Copeland empire, she wasn't shocked. A part of her was even relieved. It was a brutal form of justice, but she couldn't find it in her heart to condemn him for it. He had protected her. He had fought for her when she couldn't fight for herself. "Does this make me a bad person?" he asked, searching her face for any sign of revulsion. "No," she said, taking his hand. "It makes you the man | love." His proposal wasn't a question, but a statement of fact. They would be married. They would build a life together. As they prepared to leave Africa, Gael told her the truth about Julian's "accident." "The shareholders hired thugs to scare him," Gael explained, his voice matter-of-fact. "But he fought back like a cornered animal. He was so desperate, so full of rage, he didn't care ---- about his own safety. He caused his own downfall, Ember. Never forget that." He also told her about Julian's current state. Living in a squalid nursing home, paralyzed, abandoned by everyone. "Do you want to see him?" Gael asked, his blue eyes full of concern. Ember thought for a moment. The old Ember, the one who had spent four years by his bedside, might have felt a pang of pity. But that Ember was long dead "No," she said, her voice firm. "He's not my responsibility anymore." Gael smiled, relieved. He had been prepared to take her to Julian if she'd asked, but he was glad she hadn't. He wanted her to be free of her past, completely and utterly. Their return to the United States was quiet. Gael's family, one of the most powerful and private dynasties in the country, welcomed Ember with open arms. They saw in her the same strength and compassion that their son possessed. Gael didn't just give her his heart; he gave her his power. He transferred a significant portion of his family's assets into her name, making her one of the wealthiest women in the world. "This is yours," he said, signing the papers without a moment's hesitation. "So you never have to feel powerless again." ---- She had never felt more secure, more loved, more cherished. This was what true love felt like. Not a debt to be repaid, but a partnership of equals.