Vivienne's POV A year passed , and my new life in England couldn't have been more perfect . Lisa's father saw potential in me , and before long I was sitting at his table , helping with their family's wine business . Different industry , same kind of clients - before it had been mafia brats ; now it was billionaire brats . Tomato , tomato . But no matter how polished the days felt , the past never fully erased . I had lived two lives , both nearly ruined . Except this time , I'd escaped in time . I wasn't rotting in Kael's basement . I wasn't dead . That was already better . And Nyssa - she'd given birth to the sweetest little boy . He had her same bright smile , the kind that softened every room he was in . This fall , Nyssa enrolled in the local college , determined to keep studying even with a newborn in her arms . " Take it easy , girl . You'll wear yourself out , " I warned gently . But Nyssa only winked at me , playful , almost childlike . " That's why I've got you - my son's godmother . If I get too busy , he'll still have you . " Her parents had started working for Lisa's father as well . They weren't flashy or powerful , just an ordinary couple - but their sincerity and tireless work made them shine . It was just another day . I'd finished a business lunch , stopped at a hotel restaurant when the doors slammed open . A group of men stormed in, one waving a gun . " Cash . Jewelry . On the table . Nobody calls the police . " The shot he fired into the ceiling cracked the air . And just like that , I was back in hell . My body froze , heart jackhammering , breath locked in my throat . I couldn't move . Couldn't speak . I saw Kael's face . Exactly as it had been . Panic gripped me until strong hands dragged me against a stranger's chest , anchoring me . " Are you okay ? " he whispered . " Shut up ! " the robber barked . " Wallets out . No talking ! " The stranger eased me into a chair , then stepped toward the gunman . 1/4 " No ... " My voice was a ghost . Did he have a death wish ? +25 Bonus But in the next heartbeat , the man moved . One second , the robber was standing . The next , he was on the ground , out cold . Another came at him . Then another . Each one dropped just as fast . Less than a minute , and the whole pack was sprawled on the floor . Applause broke out around us . Shocked gasps . And the man ? His shirt wasn't even wrinkled . I stared . Even the best fighters I'd seen back in New York would've been breathing hard after that . Not him . He looked almost ... bored . Expressionless , he nodded once to the stunned crowd and turned to leave . But I noticed the faint hitch in his stride , the limp . I followed . " Do you need a hospital ? " He barely glanced at me , shifting away . " No. " "But you're hurt . " He turned sharply , eyes flashing . " I said no . " Rude much ? Even though he'd just saved my life . " You don't have to pretend to be invincible , " I said , stepping closer . I reached out , calling a taxi . " No one's watching . Really , you should see a doctor . There's blood on your sock . " That made him pause . Then - suddenly - he chuckled . " Miss , I'm not pretending . That's not my blood . " His words carried a faint accent I hadn't noticed before . Heat rushed to my cheeks . I'd assumed he was being rude , when in reality ... maybe he just wasn't fluent . " Sorry , " I stammered , unable to string together a proper sentence . " No need , " he said with a wink . " Since you haven't eaten , maybe join me ? " A date ? I hadn't been on one since leaving New York . It wasn't for lack of invitations - I just hadn't cared . But maybe it was the adrenaline of the robbery , maybe the strange comfort of his presence , or maybe the rare London sunshine . I found myself nodding , pulling out my phone . " My number . " " I mean now . " His voice was always direct , unadorned . " You mean ... go on a date now ? " 2/4 6 "Yes . " +25 Bonus Then he smiled - and I hated how devastatingly handsome it was . My head was nodding before my brain caught up . " But I don't even know your name . " " Elias . " " Vivienne , " I said softly . The rest of the day felt like something out of a film . He took me to a French restaurant - luxurious , understated , the kind of place where you could tell the price from the weight of the silverware . The waiters treated Elias with careful deference . Famous , maybe ? Powerful ? But I'd met billionaires before , and I'd never heard of an Elias . Coincidence , I told myself . Then came the helicopter ride . My pulse raced with every dip and rise . In London , where the rain rarely allowed such indulgences , it felt reckless , impossible . Dinner was at a secluded vineyard . Romantic ... or dangerous . For a moment , doubt whispered - what kind of man takes a woman to a deserted vineyard on their first date ? As if reading my thoughts , Elias winked . " I'm not kidnapping you . The food here is worth it . " And it was . When he finally brought me back to London , I felt suspended in a dream , like the heroine of a story that couldn't possibly belong to me . At the curb , he leaned in , his intent unmistakable . A kiss . I turned away , heart lurching . I wasn't ready for that . " Sorry- " " No need , " he said smoothly . " I understand . " We hadn't exchanged numbers , and I told myself what happened with Elias was just a fleeting romance . A beautiful , impossible day . Nothing more . Which was why my feet froze the moment I stepped into Lisa's family mansion - and saw him . Elias , sharp in a dark suit , seated beside Lisa , the two of them deep in conversation in a language I didn't recognize . " V ! " Lisa leapt up , pulling me closer . " Meet my old friend . He's from Italy . " She nudged me with a grin . " Elias . He's visiting . " 3/4 Elias was Lisa's friend . +25 Bonus " Hey , stranger . " He smiled , extending his hand like it was the first time . " Nice to meet you , Vivienne . Lisa's told me a lot about you . " " Hey , " I murmured , my face burning . Lisa narrowed her eyes at the flicker of recognition between us . " Wait - have you two met before ? Why do I feel like you know each other ? " " No , we- " " We went on a date , " Elias said smoothly , cutting me off . Lisa gasped , shaking my hand so hard I thought she'd pull my arm off . " Wow ! A date ? When ? Oh my God , this is such a small world . " I stayed silent , still reeling from the sight of Elias in Lisa's living room . " Right ... " was all I managed . Elias didn't linger . He excused himself soon after , saying he had other social events to attend . The second he left , Lisa dragged me into her bedroom , her expression turning serious . " V. How did you meet Elias ? Don't tell me this has something to do with your ex - husband ... " My stomach twisted at the name . " My ex ? What does Kael have to do with this ? " Support Share