The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains of Ethan's apartment, casting a warm glow on two steaming cups of coffee on the kitchen table. In the kitchen, Lana was humming softly as she mixed pancake batter. There was nothing luxurious about that morning, but to Ethan, the moment was more precious than all the wealth he had ever accumulated.
"I still can't believe you can actually cook," Ethan teased, wrapping his arms around Lana from behind.
Lana laughed. "Never underestimate a woman who survived on a tight budget. Cooking is a survival skill."
Ethan took a deep breath, savoring the warmth of Lana's body now completely a part of his life. After all the drama the hidden identity, media chaos, and emotional trials they finally had a moment of peace. At least for now.
But that peace was fleeting.
On the living room table, Ethan's phone buzzed. A message from his assistant: "Mr. Ethan, the merger with Archon Corp requires a decision today. Investors are pressing."
Ethan's expression darkened. He knew this decision could shape not only the future of his company, but also his relationship with Lana.
"What's wrong?" Lana asked, noticing the shift in his demeanor.
He showed her the message and sighed deeply. "They want me back in that world. The meetings, the press conferences, the high-stakes deals… I'm afraid everything will change again, Lana."
Lana set the spatula down and looked at him with calm, steady eyes. "Ethan, I fell in love with who you are—not your job title. If you go back to being CEO, I'll still be here. As long as you stay true to yourself."
Those simple words soothed the storm in Ethan's chest.
A few days later, Ethan attended the biggest merger conference of the year. Cameras flashed from every direction. The world watched as the young CEO returned, more composed and magnetic than ever.
In the VIP section, Lana sat calmly not as an employee, but as an equal partner. She wore a sleek blue gown, her hair pinned up gracefully, and when their eyes met across the crowd, the rest of the room seemed to disappear.
"I knew you could do it," Lana whispered as Ethan took the seat beside her after his keynote speech.
"And I knew I couldn't have done it without you," he replied.
Applause echoed, the cameras continued flashing, but the world felt silent to them both.
That evening, on the balcony of Ethan's penthouse, the city wind whispered around them. They sat side by side, gazing at the stars.
"Did you ever think we'd come this far?" Lana asked.
"Honestly… no," Ethan said. "I thought I'd spend my life alone behind a laptop and stock charts."
Lana smiled. "And now?"
"Now I want something more permanent."
Ethan stood up slowly, reaching into his jacket pocket. He knelt before her, opening a small velvet box that revealed a simple yet elegant diamond ring.
"Lana… will you marry me?"
Time seemed to freeze. Lana looked at him, her eyes beginning to shimmer with tears.
"Ethan… yes. Yes, I will."
Just as the words left her lips, fireworks exploded in the distance maybe from a festival, maybe by fate but the night became the witness of their promise.