Chapter 15 ( Steven's POV) I did not expect that . Honestly , I thought I was going to be humiliated again . It happens - more often than I admit . People look at me and see less now . Less threat . Less power . Less man . E 55 vouchers I've heard it in whispers . Seen it in glances . That familiar flicker of pity , of discomfort . Of disrespect . And when he showed up - Alessandro freaking Rizzo , Ferrari's poster boy and the guy who " won " the race that cost me my legs - I prepared myself for the sting . The insult . The subtle flex . But what I wasn't prepared for ... ? Was Madison . Holy hell . That woman ? She turned into a divine , sassy avenging angel in a Gucci hoodie and Dior sneakers . One second , I'm tightening my jaw , trying to play it cool- And the next , she's roasting the man like he's a Thanksgiving turkey with a fake Italian accent and a tragic mustache . Her words were weapons . Her smirk ? Explosive . Her energy ? Unstoppable . I swear , when she leaned in and delivered that final insult , the guy visibly inhaled like he'd just been scorched by a fire - breathing dragon . And me ? I didn't even need to say a word . I just watched . Watched her protect me - no , defend me - like it was the most natural thing in the world . Not because I was broken . But because she didn't think I was . Not once did she pity me . Not once did she flinch . She didn't see a wheelchair . She saw me . And by the time we left that building , I wasn't the ex - racer in a chair anymore . I was her partner in crime . Her accomplice . Her damn VIP passenger on a victory tour . So yeah . I couldn't just let that go . As we rolled into the car , her sunglasses on , victorious smirk still painted on her face , I quietly texted my assistant . 11:29 Thu , Sep 18 Chapter 15 : 71 E55 vouchers " Find her the best brown sugar milk tea in Manhattan . With cheese foam . Boba . Whatever she wants . And deliver it now ." Madison leaned back in the seat , humming a victory song like she'd just ended a man's entire reputation and was now ready for snacks . " Hey , " I said , clearing my throat . She turned . " Yeah ? " I looked at her , really looked . At her flushed cheeks , her wild energy , her glowing sass . And I realized I hadn't felt that light in months . " You're ridiculous ," I muttered . She grinned . " Thank you , I know ." Pause . " And you're amazing ," I added under my breath . " That too ." She blinked . Before she could sass me back , the car pulled up in front of the penthouse - and right there , standing like a beautifully dressed milk tea angel , was my assistant holding a gold - rimmed tray with her favorite boba tea . She gasped . " Is that- ? " I nodded . " Brown sugar milk tea . Extra boba . Cheese foam . The one you wouldn't shut up about for three days . " She looked at the tea . Then me . " I - what ? Did you - Steven ? " I smirked . " Don't cry . You'll ruin your glow . " She rolled her eyes . " I'm not crying . I'm just emotionally touched by the arrival of lactose . " And as she took her first sip , eyes closing in genuine bliss , I felt it- That impossible , dangerous warmth in my chest . Because I wasn't just thinking She defended me . I was thinking : " God , I might be falling in love with this woman . " 11:29 Thu , Sep 18 Chapter 15 ... : E55 vouchers She took the first sip with both hands around the cup like it was some ancient relic , her lips brushing the straw in a reverent slow - motion moment that probably deserved a soundtrack . Then she moaned . Like ... not that kind of moan - okay maybe exactly that kind of moan but innocent - adjacent . " Sweet baby tapioca , " she whispered . " This is it . This is joy . I could marry this . " I watched her - watched her sway a little in her seat , eyes fluttering like she was having a milk tea - induced religious experience . I should have been amused . But no . I was ruined . Absolutely ruined . Because Madison in battle mode was a goddess , sure . But Madison in milk - tea bliss , hoodie slouching off one shoulder , lip gloss slightly smudged from the straw , cheeks flushed from sass and sugar ? That was dangerous . I was doomed . " You're making noises , " I said , trying to sound bored . I wasn't . At all . She blinked , deadpan . " Don't come between a woman and her boba , McLeon . I'll fight you . " " You already fight me . Daily ." " Yes , and I win . Daily . " She sipped again , one leg curled under her , looking like chaos wrapped in designer sneakers and pure serotonin . And I realized that no model , no heiress , no producer's daughter had ever made me feel like this . Like I could breathe . Like the air didn't taste like metal and regret anymore . She glanced over at me , catching me staring . " What ? " " Nothing , " I lied . Lying was easier than saying everything . Because everything was : The way you didn't blink when someone tried to humiliate me . The way your fire didn't burn me - it warmed me . The way your laugh made my chest ache in the good way . The way you looked in that stupid hoodie like you were made to be here . With me . But I said none of that . Instead , I smirked . 11:29 Thu , Sep 18 Chapter 15 71 55 vouchers " Next time someone insults me in public , I'm bringing a microphone so everyone can hear you ruin their life properly . " She grinned . " Please do . I'll add background dancers . Maybe confetti . " Then she reached into the bag my assistant handed over and pulled out the second milk tea I'd added last- minute . She shoved it in my hand . " For you . " " I didn't ask for this ." " Shut up and drink it . " I took a sip , begrudgingly , because I do follow orders when she's holding snacks hostage . It was good . Sweet . Perfect . She raised an eyebrow . " Well ? " " It's okay . " She rolled her eyes . " You're impossible ." " And you're something else ," I muttered . Her eyes flicked to mine . " What ? " " Nothing . " Because I couldn't say it . Not yet . Couldn't say : You're becoming my favorite thing . My peace in the chaos . My constant fight and quiet salvation . Couldn't say : You make me want more again . Not just walk again . Live again . So I looked out the window instead . Pretended this was just another Monday , Pretended I wasn't falling for the sass queen in my passenger seat . But deep down ? I knew . I was hers . 11:29 Thu , Sep 18 Chapter 15 Whether she knew it or not . 11:29 Thu , Sep 18 Chapter 16