Chapter 18

Stephen's eyes held a quiet intensity as he spoke, his sincerity leaving Gabriella with no room to refuse. She had once questioned whether she was meant to build a family. Between the six-year contract, Alex's detachment, and Lucas' resentment, the idea had faded to something barely worth believing in. But now, as she met Stephen's gaze, she felt like she could take the chance. The worst that could happen was going through it all over again. And so, she reached out to accept the bouquet of 99 red roses, their vivid hue striking against the snowy night. Gabriella's lips curled into a smile. For a moment, Stephen's breath hitched. He hadn't expected things to fall into place so seamlessly. Gabriella had accepted him, and now, she was his. From that night on, wherever she was, Stephen would be there too. … That day marked Gabriella and Stephen's first anniversary. She had been upset with him earlier because she had just found out he had pulled several all-nighters to wrap up w