YOU’RE TOO HANDSOME TO BE ALONE

The fallout was spectacular, but Adrian Kane did not play defense. He played offense.

By Monday morning, Adrian had used his controlling shares to call an emergency shareholder meeting. He didn't apologize. He didn't step down. Instead, he presented airtight evidence of Julian Vance's corporate espionage and embezzlement, completely destroying his rival's credibility. Vance was escorted out of the building by federal authorities by noon.

As for Russo? Adrian didn't just pay the debt; he bought the building Russo operated out of, evicted him, and handed his syndicate's ledgers over to the FBI. The threat was neutralized entirely.

Six months later, the dust had settled. Kane Global’s stock was higher than ever, and Adrian had been unanimously voted Chairman.

But none of that mattered right now.

It was a crisp autumn Saturday in Central Park. The leaves were turning brilliant shades of gold and red. We were sitting on a picnic blanket, the New York skyline towering above the trees.

Adrian was lying on his back, laughing helplessly as Mia, wearing her favorite princess dress, sat on his chest and tried to braid his hair.

"You're a very good daddy," Mia announced, tying a bright pink ribbon into his dark hair. "Even if you are always wearing a suit."

Adrian smiled, a genuine, completely unguarded smile that reached his eyes. He wrapped his arms around the little girl, kissing her cheek. "And you are the best daughter a man could ever ask for."

He looked over at me, sitting cross-legged on the blanket. The cold, ruthless billionaire I had met two years ago was completely gone, replaced by a man who was fiercely, unapologetically in love. He reached out, lacing his fingers through mine. The diamond ring was back on my finger, but this time, it wasn't a prop for a fake marriage. It was a promise.

"I love you," he mouthed silently over Mia's head.

"I love you too," I whispered back.

Mia had been right all along. He was too handsome to be alone. And luckily, he never would be again.