Chapter 40

Annie's POV

The gala had been a triumph, but the true victory was the way Howard hadn't left my side all evening. As we finally returned to the penthouse, the silence of the home felt like a reward.

Howard loosened his tie, the sharp, formal lines of his tuxedo softening as he relaxed. He turned to me, his expression unreadable in the shadows of the foyer.

"Tonight was perfect," I said, stepping closer to him.

"It was," he agreed, his voice dropping an octave. He reached out, pulling me into the circle of his arms. "But the best part is knowing that tomorrow, and every day after, I get to wake up and see you."

He leaned down, his kiss tasting of the champagne we'd shared and the bright future ahead of us. It was a long, slow kiss that spoke of deep-seated desire, yet it was tempered by a profound respect. There was no rush, no urgency born of insecurity—only the calm, steady heat of a love that had been tested and proven.

As he led me toward our bedroom, his hand firmly but gently holding mine, I felt a surge of pure, unadulterated happiness. The ghosts of Philip and the pain of the past were finally gone. In their place was a man who saw me, who valued me, and who loved me with a strength that matched my own. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I knew we would face them with the same unity we felt tonight. Our story wasn't just about surviving; it was about thriving, together.