Chapter 23 [ 0 ] X The photos were everywhere by morning . My phone buzzed non - stop , but I didn't bother checking most of the notifications . Headlines flashed across every screen . " Therese Calderon Moves On , With a Kiss Seen Round the Room " " Heiress of Steel , Heart of Velvet " " Massaro Who ? " Ephraim was already reading the news when I walked into the breakfast lounge . The scent of fresh coffee , eggs , and buttered sourdough lingered in the air . He looked up from the tablet with that slow , wolfish grin that made my stomach flip even after all this time . He stood and pulled my chair out . " Good morning , scandal queen ." I sat with a smirk and let him pour my coffee . " You started reading the gossip before I even opened my eyes , huh ? " He lifted my hand and kissed my knuckles gently . " You're fire in their cold little world , " he said . " And they all just got burned . " I took a sip of the coffee , still warm , still perfect , and leaned back in my chair . " Let them talk . I didn't kiss you for the headlines . " " I know ," he said , watching me . " But I like that they saw it . Especially him . " I didn't say Torren's name . I didn't have to . He was probably seething in silence somewhere , watching the kiss over and over like a madman . I found out how right I was when a white rose arrived around mid - morning , delivered by a trembling assistant who refused to meet my eyes . I took the note attached to it and didn't even open the whole thing . The first line was enough . Please . Just talk to me . Five minutes . I burned the rest over a lavender candle in my bathroom . I didn't even blink . By noon , I had a meeting with the charity board . All of them showed up tense , waiting to see if I would address the obvious drama . I did , just not how they expected . " I'm removing Ruby That Mistress as brand ambassador , " I said , calm and poised as I clicked through the deck . " Personal ties to opposing parties and recent PR conflicts . I suggest we move forward with someone who has no scandal clinging to her dress . " There was silence , followed by nods . " No objections , " the chairman said . " We'll have PR draft the replacement announcement tonight . " When I got home , Ephraim was on the phone with someone from one of the development He Left Me for Dead Now Ho Bens Me for Mercy 1/3 67.7 % 22:14 Sun , Aug 100 groups . He hung up the moment I stepped into the room . He looked relaxed , but I knew him better than that . " What did you do ? " I asked . 48 % X He raised an eyebrow and shrugged . " Any company still tied to the Massaros has officially been blacklisted from Lambert - linked projects ." " All of them ? " " 65 % , " he said . " You don't touch my wife and walk away clean . " I smiled , not because I needed revenge , but because I liked knowing I wasn't standing alone this time . ** Around four in the afternoon , my phone rang again . Fleur . I hesitated before answering . We hadn't spoken properly since I left Torren . Her last words to me were brutal . But I answered anyway . " Hello ? " " Hey , " she said softly . " I … saw the photos . You looked powerful . And happy . " " Thanks . " " I'm sorry , Therese . For what I said before . I was angry at your life at that time … You didn't deserve that . " I closed my eyes for a second . " It's okay , Fleur . I understood even back then . " She sniffed a little , like she might cry , then laughed lightly . " You always were kinder than me . " " That's not true . " " It is , " she said . " And … look , I know Ephraim doesn't see me that way . He never did . You know why ? " I leaned forward . " Why ? " " Because he's had a massive crush on you since high school . " My heart jumped . " What ? " " It's true , " she said , laughing . " He used to stare at you during assemblies . Once told me your voice made him want to write poetry . " I blinked , stunned . " You're messing with me . " " I'm really not . Anyway , my classes are starting . Gotta run . Just wanted to say that . I'm happy for you ." Then she hung up , just like that , leaving me with a heart pounding like I'd run a marathon . I looked toward the window where Ephraim was standing now , phone in hand , barking orders to someone in finance . The afternoon sun caught the sharp line of his jaw and the gentleness in his eves when he caught me starina . Chapter 23 2/3 68.7 % 22:14 Sun Aug 10 Q If I had known back then what I know now , I would've never chosen Torren . Not even for a second . ** 48 % X Later that night , we went to the private fitting room on the top floor of Maison Auriél , that quiet little boutique in Mayfair that never allowed walk - ins and cost more per hour than some people's monthly rent . I was standing in front of three full - length mirrors , draped in white satin and pearls . The gown clung to me like it had been waiting its whole life for my skin . My assistant , Joy , was fussing over the veil while two French stylists argued softly over whether we should add one more strand of diamonds at the waist . Ephraim sat in a velvet chair behind me , legs crossed , hand resting against his jaw , watching like he couldn't look away . 4 4 # " 1 4 " You know , " he murmured , " if I didn't already ask you to marry me , I'd drop to my knees right now . " I turned to face him , holding the hem of the gown in my hands . " You'd wrinkle the pants you just had tailored in Paris . " 5 9 PR T 41 AL " He stood and walked over to me , wrapping his arms around my waist . " You look like vengeance wrapped in grace . " H 7 H " 71 4 " T THE 4 L " And you , " I said , touching the edge of his lapel , " look like a man who plans to burn the whole world for me . " 47 4 A L " I would ," he said simply . " And I'll enjoy every second of it . " H We left the boutique an hour later , Joy walking ahead with the dress carefully packed , and Ephraim's hand resting protectively on my back as we stepped into the soft golden glow of the waiting car . That's when he appeared . Torren . Standing by the curb like some ghost that hadn't accepted it was already dead . No security . No Ruby . Just him in a dark coat , with tired eyes and a desperation that didn't suit him at all . " Therese ," he said , stepping forward . " Just five minutes . Please . I'm not here to fight . " I didn't stop walking . " Neither am I ," I said calmly . " I'm here to live . " He blocked my path and reached for my hand . Just listen to me- Before he could even graze my skin , Ephraim stepped between us . " Touch her again , " Ephraim said , voice low and brutal , " and I'll break your hand in front of every photographer on this block . " Chapter 23 3/3 69.7 % 22:14 Sun , Aug 10