Bound by Honor *2ND DRAFT*

XIII

September 5

Estella POV

We were going to the annual Beaumont Foundation Gala—one of those nights where power and reputation danced hand in hand. Malakai had been invited as a long-standing benefactor, and I was expected to attend as one of the company's new owners. Easton was supposed to come too, but he was buried in contracts and deadlines, so I went in his place.

It was still strange thinking of myself as Estella Morreti. The name carried weight now. A statement. A reflection of him, of us—though sometimes I still caught myself hesitating when people used it. I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down the crimson silk gown Malakai had picked out. It was bold, backless, and flowed like liquid fire when I moved. I wasn't used to gowns like this. I wasn't used to being looked at.

When I stepped out of the bedroom, he stopped mid-sentence. His phone was still in his hand, though his focus was entirely on me. His gaze swept over me slowly, reverently, and my pulse stuttered."Gosh," he murmured, voice rough. "You're gorgeous, baby."My cheeks instantly warmed. "You said that about the last dress, too," I managed, trying to sound steady.

He smirked, stepping closer until I could feel the warmth radiating off him. "Yeah, but this one... this one might start a war." "Malakai," I said, a soft laugh slipping out, but my voice cracked halfway through. His compliment sank deep, the way it always did. "You're impossible."He reached up, brushing a loose curl away from my shoulder, fingers lingering.

"You're beautiful, Stella. You know that, right?"I swallowed, looking anywhere but his eyes. "You keep saying that like you're trying to convince me." He took my chin gently, tilting my face up so I had nowhere to look but him. "Maybe I am. Maybe I'll spend the rest of my life doing it."The words made my stomach flip. I tried to hide my smile, but he saw it anyway.

He grinned, thumb tracing my jaw. "You ready?"I nodded, but my hands wouldn't stop fussing with the bracelet he'd clasped for me earlier. "As I'll ever be."He kissed my temple before we left, his breath warm against my skin. "You're going to turn every head in that place."The ballroom glowed gold under the chandeliers when we arrived—filled with laughter, glittering gowns, and people who measured success by the weight of their jewelry.

The moment we entered, I felt it—every gaze turning our way. My heels clicked too loud against the marble, echoing my nerves.Malakai's hand found the small of my back immediately, fingers firm, grounding. "Breathe, baby," he whispered. "You belong here.""I know," I murmured, though my heart didn't. "Still feels like everyone's staring.""They are," he said smoothly, leaning close to my ear. "Because you're the most gorgeous woman in the room."I nearly tripped. "Malakai," I hissed under my breath, trying not to smile."What?" His grin was infuriatingly boyish. "I'm just telling the truth."

I shot him a look that only made him chuckle quietly, the sound low enough that only I could hear. His hand never left me, thumb stroking slow, reassuring circles through the silk. It helped. A little.We made our rounds—donors, executives, investors—all shaking hands and saying the same polished words. Faces blurred together, but Malakai had this way of keeping me anchored, his thumb brushing my waist whenever I started to retreat into silence.

At one point, a woman in diamonds and designer perfume leaned in, giving me a once-over. "Estella Morreti, isn't it? Such a striking name. And that dress—daring, dear."I swallowed. "Thank you, Mrs. Beaumont. It's... an honor to be here."Malakai's arm tightened around me, his smile polite but protective.

"Stella makes any room better."Mrs. Beaumont's laughter was brittle. "I see she's already got you wrapped around her little finger."He glanced at me, eyes softening. "Happily so."When Mrs. Beaumont drifted away, I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding. Malakai leaned down, voice gentle.

"You doing okay?""I'm fine," I said, taking a sip of champagne I didn't even like. "Just... a lot of eyes."He turned me gently so we faced each other, his gaze searching. "If it gets to be too much, just say the word. We'll sneak out. I'll take you for midnight pancakes."I smiled, the tension in my shoulders easing. "You're ridiculous."He brushed his lips over my knuckles. "I'm yours, Stella. Ridiculous and all."

For a while, I let him lead the conversation, nodding and smiling when needed, but mostly just letting his presence shield me. I watched him—how easily he charmed the room, how he always glanced back at me, making sure I was okay.

Later in the night, after speeches and endless polite conversation, we found a quiet corner near the balcony. The cool air was a relief after the crowded ballroom. City lights blurred beyond the glass, and music drifted faintly from inside. Malakai stood beside me, his arm brushing mine as he looked out over the city.

For a moment, we didn't speak. Then he turned to me, his eyes soft in a way that always undid me."You know something?" he said, voice low but sure. I tilted my head, raising a brow. "What?"He smiled then—slow, genuine, the kind of smile that made my chest tighten. His hand slid to my waist, his thumb tracing the bare skin just above the fabric of my gown."I fall in love with you all over again every time I look at you."

The words landed like a heartbeat—steady, powerful, undeniable. My breath caught. "Malakai..." I whispered, eyes wide. "You've never said that before."He shrugged lightly, still smiling, still holding me close. "Didn't think I needed to. But I think you needed to hear it tonight."I stared at him, completely undone.

My pulse was loud in my ears, my skin hot where his hand rested on my waist. I wanted to say something back, something that would match the weight of what he'd just given me—but my voice failed me.He leaned in, brushing his lips softly over the shell of my ear. "You don't have to say anything, Stell. I know."I closed my eyes, letting the warmth of him settle deep in my bones.

"Sometimes I feel like I'm pretending to be someone I'm not," I admitted, voice barely above a whisper. "Like everyone in there can see right through me."He cupped my cheek, thumb gentle. "You're not pretending. You belong here. And if anyone can't see that, that's their problem, not yours."I smiled, a little watery. "You make it sound so easy."He grinned, brushing a kiss to my forehead.

"That's my job. To make things better for you."I laughed, the sound shaky but real. "You do. Even when you're too much."He winked. "It's part of my charm."A gust of wind lifted the edge of my gown, and he pulled me closer, wrapping his jacket around my shoulders. "You're freezing," he murmured. "Here, let me."I looked up at him, the city lights reflected in his eyes, and for a moment, the world narrowed to just us. "Thank you."He pressed his forehead to mine, voice barely above a breath. "Anytime, Mrs. Estella Morreti."His use of my new name sent a different kind of shiver through me—one of belonging, of being seen. Maybe he was right. Maybe I didn't need to say it. Because he already knew.