The Billionaire Recluse & The girl who stayed.

Big news.

~ Jasper ~

The day had been relentless.

Meetings back-to-back, calls layered over calls, decisions that would shape the future of the company.

Expansion into the UK.

London headquarters fully operational.

Everything running exactly how I'd planned.

Numbers coming in higher than projected.

Profit margins exceeding expectations.

By the end of it all—

I'd gained one hundred and twenty billion overnight.

A number most people would lose their minds over.

But I felt nothing.

Not really.

Because none of it mattered the way it used to.

Not when my world—

Was waiting for me downstairs.

Lexi.

That's what got me through the day.

Knowing I'd walk into that cinema room...

And she'd be there.

Safe.

Smiling.

Mine.

—

I loosened my tie slightly as I made my way down the hall, my body tired but my mind already softening at the thought of her.

Our routine had become my favourite part of the day.

Movies.

Sweets.

Popcorn.

Her tucked into my side like she belonged there.

Because she did.

She hadn't left the house yet.

Not since everything.

And I understood.

I didn't push.

I never would.

If she needed time—

I'd give her all the time in the world.

—

I opened the cinema room door.

And paused.

She was already there.

Sitting on the sofa.

Waiting.

My chest tightened instantly.

God... she was beautiful.

Even now.

Especially now.

When she looked at me like that.

Her face lit up the second she saw me.

"Hey, gorgeous fiancé," she beamed. "How are you?"

That smile—

It hit me straight in the chest.

"I'm better now," I said softly, walking over to her. "Been a long day... but knowing I'd come back to you made it easier."

I leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead before sitting beside her.

"How was your day?"

She smiled, but there was something else there too.