Chapter 13%
Roscoe adjusted the cufflinks of his black silk shirt, then buttoned his tailored jacket with a precision that mirrored his every move- intentional, quiet, controlled. The call had come only minutes ago.”
“Everything’s ready for tonight.”
He gave a simple “thank you” before hanging up and turning toward the mirror. It had been a long time since he’d looked at himself with purpose–years, maybe. But tonight was different. Tonight was no longer about watching from the sidelines.
Tonight, he would meet her.
Officially.
He stepped out of his room and walked into the hall where the estate staff greeted him with small nods. The limousine waited outside, sleek and silent, its doors open like an invitation.
As the vehicle pulled away from the Smith estate, Roscoe leaned back against the leather seat, eyes steady but full of thought. Maureen Reid.”
He had known her long before she ever knew him.
While she had walked confidently through corporate galas and charity balls, smiling as the world watched her shine, he had been in the shadows–always watching, always just out of reach.
Because Roscoe wasn’t just any man.
He was Roscoe Smith, heir to the Smith industrial empire, and the most elusive bachelor in the city. The public knew his name, but not his face. His father had trained him to be a ghost–sharp in the boardroom but silent in society..
But Maureen?
She had been different. The moment he first saw her, years ago, in a charity auction hosted by the Reid family, she was laughing–head tilted back slightly, a hand delicately resting on the arm of one of those boys. Jackson, maybe. Or Jared.
He couldn’t tell them apart at first, because he hadn’t cared.}
Only her. She wore a wine–colored dress, her hair falling in soft waves over one shoulder. Not loud. Not forced. Just present. And radiant. He remembered the way she had spoken to the children at the orphanage corner that night–genuine, unhurried. She didn’t perform for the cameras. She didn’t need to. She was the spotlight.
But she had someone then. Maybe both of them. So he stepped back.
Watched. And waited.
He learned everything without speaking a word to her. Her quiet habits, the way she tapped her finger when she was nervous, the way her face fell just slightly when she looked at Audrey–but she always smiled anyway.”
He watched her dull her shine to let others feel bright.”
And it had burned him.§
When the news came that the Reid family was arranging a wedding for their daughter, Roscoe didn’t hesitate. For once in his life, he wanted to step in. Not to buy her. Not to win her.”
But to choose her.
And now, she had chosen him too.”
The limousine arrived at the hotel just after sunset. He stepped out, adjusted his jacket, and handed a bouquet of fresh lilies to the hostess at the front desk
“For Miss Maureen Reid,” he said.
Upstairs, the rooftop restaurant was as stunning as the city skyline behind it. Gold accents, tall glass windows, and warm candlelight everywhere. He could already see her.
Back turned to him.
Wearing blue satin, off–the–shoulder. Her hair pulled back in soft waves. The diamond necklace glittered like a declaration: I remember who I am.”
He took a moment.@
Not to compose himself, but to savor the stillness before his world changed.”
Then, he walked forward.
She turned.
And froze.
“You..” Her lips parted slightly. “Roscoe?”
He handed her the lilies with a slight bow of his head. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
She took them slowly, eyes wide. “You’re my- Wait, you’re the groom?“}
He nodded.
“But… why didn’t you say anything before?”
“It wouldn’t have been a surprise if I did,” he said, offering a small smile.
She blinked, then laughed lightly, shaking her head. “So.., this entire time? You were the one? At the hospital?”
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#STELT WISE 32 1710 1TW
“Yes”
“Who paid the bills?”
“Yes” He offered me the flowers “And I would again.”
I took them, but my hands trembled “Why?”
He met my gaze, steady and unwavering “Because I’ve seen the way they treated you Because I saw the way you #ept shrinking even when you didn’t have to Because I knew someone like you would eventually need someone like me ”
“Oh, right, including arguing with Jared in the hallway?”
He arched an eyebrow “I consider that a public service ”
She let out a real laugh now, the sound bubbling out like she hadn’t laughed in ages. “You’re unbelievable”
“I’ve been told ”
They sat, and for a moment, neither spoke. The tension began to melt in the soft glow of candlelight and string music above them.8 “You look beautiful tonight,” he said gently
She tilted her head. “Is that you being charming?”
“No,” he replied “That’s just me being honest ”
She smiled into her glass, cheeks flushed slightly “I wasn’t expecting you.”
“And I wasn’t supposed to fall for you,” he admitted
“Oh?” she challenged, leaning slightly forward. “So when did it happen, Mr Mysterious?”
He leaned in too. “The night you slapped Jackson with a folder and told Jared to make his own coffee.”
She gasped. “That was years ago!“N
He grinned. “That was the moment I thought–there’s a girl who won’t be told who to be‘ I liked that ”
Maureen rolled her eyes, laughing again. “And yet, here I am Told who to marry”
“Did you feel forced?” he asked, his voice serious now
She paused. “No. Not once. In fact… this is the first thing that feels like mine in a long time.”
He nodded once, gently brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. “Then I promise I’ll keep it that way. You’ll never have to be smaller for anyone again.“N
She went quiet.N
He watched her carefully.N
And then she whispered, “That’s all I ever wanted.“N
Their hands met across the table, fingers tangling like they’d been meant to find each other in this exact moment.
And this time…N
Neither of them let go.N
