The champagne felt ice-cold through the thin fabric of Ava Knox’s off-the-rack black gown. By the time the expensive liquid reached her shoes, nearly forty people were laughing.

Three months later.

The summer sun brightened the morning balcony of the Vance penthouse. The city below buzzed with life, but up on the 80th floor, everything was quiet and peaceful.

Ava sat at the outdoor table, reviewing a thick stack of legal documents.

Over the past three months, her life had transformed completely. With Alexander’s guidance and support, she hadn't just sat around being a socialite—she had launched her own luxury event planning company, Knox & Co. She had already secured contracts with three major high-fashion brands in Europe.

She was independent, successful, and financially secure on her own merits.

The sliding glass door opened, and Alexander walked out onto the balcony wearing a crisp white shirt, carrying two cups of fresh coffee.

He set one down in front of her and kissed the top of her head—a gesture that had become second nature over the past ninety days.

"You're working early," Alexander said, leaning against the balcony railing.

"I have a meeting with the French consulate at ten," Ava said proudly, looking up at him. "They want Knox & Co. to design their annual summer gala."

"I never doubted you for a second," Alexander said gently.

Ava looked down at her hands. The 12-carat pink diamond ring was still on her finger.

The six-month fake engagement agreement was officially coming to an end in three weeks.

A quiet anxiety had been building in Ava’s chest for days. The revenge on Damian was long finished. Her business was booming. She didn't need Alexander’s protection or his money anymore.

Which meant... it was almost time to leave.

Ava took a breath, clearing her throat. "Alexander... we need to talk about the contract."

Alexander’s expression shifted slightly, his dark eyes darkening. "The contract?"

"It's almost six months," Ava said softly, touching the edge of the velvet box resting on the table. "You've fulfilled every part of your deal. You cleared my debts, helped me start my business, and... well, ten million dollars is sitting in an escrow account waiting for me."

She slid the heavy pink diamond off her finger and set it on the glass table between them.

"I think it's time I return this," Ava said, her voice trembling slightly. "Our deal is almost complete."

Alexander looked down at the glittering ring sitting on the table. He didn't touch it.

Instead, he looked back up at Ava, stepping closer until he was standing right beside her chair.

"What if I don't want the deal to end, Ava?" Alexander asked quietly.

Ava looked up, her heart stopping. "Alexander... we agreed. It was a transaction. Fake engagement for mutual benefit."

Alexander reached down, grabbed the pink diamond off the table, and threw it over his shoulder into the decorative fountain behind them.

Ava gasped, jumping up from her chair. "Alexander! That ring was worth eight million dollars!"

"I don't care about that ring," Alexander said, his voice deep, passionate, and raw with emotion. He reached out, grabbing her hands and pulling her close against his chest. "That ring was for the press. That ring was for Damian Cross. That ring was for a lie."

He pulled a small, dark velvet box from his pocket and opened it.