Chapter 7 - The Secret Admirer Was Someone From My Past—And Roman Knew Exactly Why He Wanted Me
The photograph frightened me.
Not because it was taken.
Because of where.
Inside my private workshop.
Someone had been watching us.
Roman didn't panic.
He became quiet.
That frightened me more.
He studied the photograph.
"Who took this?"
"I don't know."
"When?"
"Yesterday."
He checked the security system.
The footage had been erased.
Every camera.
Every angle.
Someone had inside access.
Then my father entered.
He saw the photograph.
His expression changed.
"I know this man."
I turned.
"Who?"
"Thomas Vale."
The name meant nothing to me.
Roman went still.
"Vale?"
My father nodded.
"He worked with Victor."
"Did he know my mother?"
"Yes."
"Why does he want me?"
My father hesitated.
"Because he believes you inherited something that belongs to him."
"What?"
"The salvage yard."
I stared.
"Seriously?"
"No."
My father looked at Roman.
"The property contains mineral rights."
"What?"
"The land under the yard is valuable."
Roman frowned.
"How valuable?"
"Enough to fund an entire legitimate empire."
Everything suddenly made sense.
Victor hadn't only wanted the ledger.
He wanted the property.
My father had hidden ownership documents beneath the shop.
Thomas Vale believed I had them.
He wanted me out.
But he couldn't force me legally.
So he had started intimidating me.
The photograph.
The break-in.
The threats.
Roman stepped closer.
"We end this legally."
I smiled.
"Good."
But Thomas moved first.
He filed a lawsuit claiming the property had been transferred illegally.
The court froze my business.
My trucks were seized.
Workers were sent home.
For the first time in months, I stood in the empty salvage yard with nothing to do.
Then Roman showed up.
Without security.
Without a suit.
Without anything but a coffee.
"Come on."
"Where?"
"Breakfast."
"I have a lawsuit."
"Yes."
"My property is frozen."
"Yes."
"My business is collapsing."
"Temporarily."
"You're annoyingly calm."
He smiled.
"I've learned from you."
We ate at a small diner.
No guards.
No expensive cars.
Just eggs and coffee.
Then he handed me a folder.
"The deed."
I opened it.
My grandfather had transferred full ownership to me decades earlier.
Thomas had no claim.
The lawsuit collapsed.
My business reopened.
But I wasn't interested in winning anymore.
I wanted peace.
Roman seemed to sense it.
He took me to a lakefront park.
"I have something to ask."
"What?"
"The ring."
I looked at him.
He opened the velvet box.
The same diamond.
But this time, there was no envelope.
No debt.
No contract.
No audience.
Just him.
"I was wrong the first time."
He looked at me.
"I thought marriage was something I could negotiate."
"And now?"
"Now I know better."
He knelt.
"Mave, will you marry me?"
I stared.
"Do I get to say no?"
"Absolutely."
"Can I think about it?"
"Yes."
I smiled.
"Good."
He looked disappointed.
Then I laughed.
"Yes."
His entire face changed.
He stood.
I wrapped my arms around him.
The city seemed to disappear.
Then a voice behind us spoke.
"Congratulations."
We turned.
My mother smiled.
My father stood beside her.
Garrett was there too.
And Declan.
Even Boyd.
Roman looked annoyed.
"You followed us?"
Garrett shrugged.
"You left without security."
"I was trying to be romantic."
"You're welcome."
I laughed.
For the first time, the men who once terrified me felt like family.
The wedding was planned for spring.
But one week before it, another surprise arrived.
A letter.
No signature.
Just one sentence.
May you like
THE DEBT WAS NEVER YOUR FATHER'S.
It belonged to Roman.
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