---- Chapter 26 Anya Warner POV: The next morning, | woke to the scent of coffee and the sound of laughter drifting up from the kitchen. | slipped on a robe and went downstairs. Dante was there, attempting to make pancakes with Nicky, a cloud of flour dusting both of them. My father was sitting at the table, reading a tablet, a serene smile on his face as he watched the chaotic scene. My mother was arranging flowers, humming a soft tune. This was my life. This loud, messy, beautiful, loving life | had built. Dante looked up as | entered, his eyes sparkling. "Morning, boss. Your son is trying to teach me the 'proper' flipping technique. Apparently, mine lacks flair." Nicky, his face smeared with chocolate, nodded seriously. "Uncle Dante, you have to commit to the wrist flick. It's all in the wrist." | laughed, pouring myself a cup of coffee. | sat down next to my father. He put down his tablet. "He's a good man, Anya," my father said quietly, his eyes on Dante. ---- "| know," | said. "He's also been waiting for you for twenty-two years," he added, a pointed look in his eye. | took a sip of my coffee, the warmth spreading through me. | thought about yesterday. About Dante's question. About my own answer. Ask me again tomorrow. Tomorrow was today. Later that afternoon, after Nicky had left to meet with his own team and my parents had gone for a walk on the beach, Dante and | were alone on the terrace. The same terrace where he had first proposed. He didn't say anything. He just looked at me, a question in his eyes. | walked over to the sound system and put on an old song, one we both loved from our early days at The Apex Club. | held out my hand. "Dance with me?" | asked. He took my hand, a slow smile spreading across his face. He pulled me into his arms, and we swayed gently to the music, the setting sun casting long shadows across the flagstones. "Is this your answer?" he murmured into my hair. "This is me," | said, leaning my head against his chest, hearing ---- the steady, reassuring beat of his heart. "Not making a strategic alliance. Not merging two companies. Not looking for a protector or a prince." | looked up at him, my heart full of a feeling that was calm, and deep, and true. It wasn't the frantic, all-consuming fire | had felt for Hamilton. It was a warm, steady glow. The love of a lifetime, not the love of a moment. "This is me choosing a partner," | said. "My equal. My friend. My teammate." | smiled. "If you'll still have me." The joy on his face was blinding. He didn't say anything. He just lowered his head and kissed me. And in that kiss was the promise of a thousand tomorrows, a future built not on need or possession, but on a foundation of mutual respect, shared laughter, and a love that had been patient enough to wait a lifetime. It was a new chapter. Not the end of my story, but a beautiful new beginning. And this time, | was ready to write it with someone by my side.