Chapter 11 I stood at the airport departure gate , clutching my boarding pass with trembling fingers . The announcement echoed through the terminal : " Tinal call for passengers boarding Flight 847 to Los Angeles . " " Last chance to change your mind . " Ethan said beside me , though we both knew I wouldn't . " There's nothing left for me here , " I replied , adjusting the strap of my carry - on bag . " Alexander made his choice . I've made mine . As I walked toward the gate , a commotion near the business lounge caught my attention . A well - dressed man was arguing with airport security , his voice carrying across the terminal . " I don't care about protocol . My meeting was canceled , and I need to get to LA tonight . " The man turned , and our eyes met for a split second . He was handsome in a refined way - nothing like Alexander's military bearing , but there was something compelling about his presence . " Sir . I'm sorry , but the flight is completely booked , " the gate agent was saying . Without thinking , I approached them . " Excuse me , I have a first - class seat on that flight . You're welcome to take it if you need it more than I do . " He looked surprised . " That's very generous , but I couldn't- " " Please , " I interrupted . " Consider it a favor from one stranger to another . " Twenty minutes later , we were both seated in first class - he'd insisted on upgrading my ticket when a last - minute cancellation opened up another seat . " Enzo West , " he said , extending his hand once we were airborne . " Lydia Evans , " I replied, shaking it . " Business or pleasure in LA ? " he asked . I stared out the window at the city lights growing smaller below us . " Starting over . " " Ah , " he nodded knowingly . " I do that about once a year . Fresh cities , new projects . Keeps life interesting . " " What kind of projects ? " " Technology , finance , real estate - whatever catches my interest . I believe in diversification . " He smiled . " What about you ? What are you starting over from ? " I hesitated . " A marriage that should never have happened . " Chapter 11 " I'm sorry . " Don't be . Some mistakes teach you valuable lessons . " For the next five hours , we talked about everything except our pasts . He told me about his vision for expanding West Corp's entertainment division . I found myself sharing dreams I'd buried years ago - about traveling , about building . something of my own .. " You should come work for me . " he said as we began our descent into LAX . I laughed . " You don't even know what I'm qualified to do . " " I know you're intelligent , decisive , and kind enough to give up your seat for a stranger . That's more than most of my employees can claim . " " Enzo- " Think about it , " he said , pulling out a business card . " I'm serious . " Three weeks later , I was sitting in West Corp's Los Angeles headquarters , reviewing quarterly reports as Enzo's special consultant . The work was engaging , and more importantly , it kept my mind off everything I'd left behind . " You're working late again . " Enzo said , appearing in my office doorway at nearly nine PM . " So are you . " " I have an excuse - this is my company . What's yours ? " I set down then . " I like being busy . " " Have dinner with me . " It wasn't the first time he'd asked , but something in his tone was different tonight . More personal. " Enzo- " " Just dinner, Lydia . Two colleagues sharing a meal . But it wasn't just dinner . Over wine and conversation that flowed easier than it should have , I found myself laughing for the first time in months . " Tell me something true , " he said suddenly . " What do you mean ? " " Something real about yourself . Not work Lydia or polite conversation Lydia . The real you . " I took a sip of wine , considering . " I used to g . " I used to think love was worth any sacrifice . Now I know that's not true . " Chapter 11 " What changed your mind ? " " Someone who taught me that love without respect is just pretty chains . " Enzo reached across the table and covered my hand with his . " Their loss . " Six months later , he proposed during a weekend in Napa Valley . Nothing elaborate - just the two of us watching the sunset from our hotel balcony . " I know you've been hurt before . " he said , getting down on one knee . " I know you have reasons not to trust . But I want to spend every day proving that not all men are like whoever broke your heart . " The ring was simple , elegant - nothing like the ostentatious jewelry Alexander used to buy to make up for his emotional absence . " Enzo ... " " Marry me . Lydia . Let me show you what love should look like . " I said yes because I believed him . Because after months of his quiet consistency , his genuine interest in my thoughts . and dreams , I thought I'd found someone different . We married in a small ceremony in Malibu , just a handful of friends and colleagues . No family drama , no military protocols , no tests or games . Just two people promising to build something real together . When I found out I was pregnant six months later , Enzo cried . " I thought you said you couldn't have more children , " he whispered , holding ing me close . " The doctors said it was unlikely after ... after what happened before . " " This is a miracle , " he said , kissing my forehead . " Our miracle . " Iris was born on a sunny Tuesday morning in spring . The moment they placed her in my arms , I felt complete in a way I'd never experienced - not even with Leo . This time , no one could take this feeling away from me .