Part 4: The Power Exchange
Ryan looked between his mother, who was trembling, and his boss, who was holding his fiancée. The realization dawned on him slowly, horror creeping across his face.
“The merger…” Ryan stammered. “Isabella… she said…”
“She said you were boring and cheap,” Julian supplied helpfully. “That was unscripted, by the way. That was just her personal opinion.”
“You set me up!” Ryan shouted, his face turning red. He looked at me, desperation clawing at his features. “Maya, baby! Listen to me! It was a mistake! My mother… she made me do it! She pressured me! I love you!”
“Stop,” Julian commanded.
He didn’t shout. He just spoke the word with absolute authority. Ryan’s mouth snapped shut.
“You left a diamond to chase a rhinestone, Ryan,” Julian said. “I offered you a fake deal to see if you had any integrity. You proved you have none.”
Ryan stepped forward, reaching for my arm. “Maya, please. You know me. We’ve been together for two years. You can’t marry him. He’s… he’s a monster.”
I looked at Ryan. I saw the sweat on his upper lip. I saw the greed in his eyes, even now. He wasn’t sorry he hurt me; he was sorry he lost the “rich girl.” He was sorry he was in trouble with his boss.
Then I looked at Julian.
He was standing between me and Ryan like a wall. He didn’t care about the wine on his suit. He didn’t care about the scandal. He had engineered a massive, expensive, chaotic event just to ensure I didn’t marry a bad man.
Julian looked down at me. “It’s your choice, Maya. You can walk away. I’ll have a car take you anywhere you want. Or… you can take a leap of faith.”
I thought about the “placeholder” comment. I thought about the years of Mrs. Vance making me feel small. I thought about Ryan ignoring my calls to chase a bigger paycheck.
I wasn’t a placeholder.
I looked at Ryan. “You’re right, Ryan,” I said, my voice surprisingly steady. “I do know you. And I wish I didn’t.”
I turned to Julian. I reached up and grabbed the lapels of his expensive jacket.
“I don’t want a car,” I whispered.
Julian’s eyes widened slightly. “What do you want?”
“I want to win.”
I pulled him down. It wasn’t a polite peck. I kissed him with all the frustration, adrenaline, and sudden, fierce attraction coursing through my veins.
The room erupted. Gasps, whispers, even a few cheers from the back.
Julian froze for a split second, surprised, and then he melted. His arms tightened around me, claiming me, kissing me back with a passion that made my knees weak. It felt real. It felt like an anchor in a storm.
We broke apart, breathless.
“I do,” I whispered against his lips.
Julian grinned, a genuine look of triumph. He turned to the priest, who was shaking with nerves, clutching his bible.
“Well, Father?” Julian asked. “Proceed. We’re on a schedule.”
“But… the license…” the priest stammered.
“Is handled,” Julian said. “My lawyers are very efficient. Just say the words.”
Julian turned his head slightly toward Ryan, who was standing there with his mouth open, looking like a fish out of water.
“And Ryan?” Julian added casually. “You’re fired. Security will escort you out. You’re cluttering my stage.”
Two large men in dark suits materialized from the shadows and grabbed Ryan by the arms. As they dragged him away, screaming protests, Mrs. Vance slumped onto the altar steps, sobbing into her hands.
I didn’t look at them. I looked at Julian. And as I promised to love, honor, and cherish the stranger who saved me, I realized he wasn’t a stranger at all. He was the only man who had ever truly seen me.
