Chapter 14 - THE LOVE SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO BEG FOR
One year later, Grace stood in the garden of her new home overlooking the Connecticut coastline.
Oliver was crawling across a blanket.
His laughter filled the afternoon air.
Declan sat nearby holding a stuffed whale.
“Come here, Captain.”
Oliver squealed.
Then crawled directly past him.
Grace laughed.
“He likes me better.”
Declan placed a hand over his heart.
“Betrayal.”
Oliver giggled.
Grace smiled.
Over the past year, her life had changed completely.
Calloway Maritime had been renamed Whitmore Harbor Group.
The company was thriving.
Grace had appointed an independent executive team and returned to strategic oversight while raising Oliver.
Ethan maintained a relationship with his son under their agreed parenting arrangements.
He had begun rebuilding his life away from Vanessa.
Vanessa's misconduct had ended her career at Calloway Maritime and led to legal consequences.
And Declan?
Declan had become part of Grace's life slowly.
Carefully.
Without pressure.
They had dated for months.
Talked about everything.
Their fears.
Their mistakes.
Their hopes.
He never made decisions for her.
Never treated her money as his.
Never asked her to choose between motherhood and ambition.
One evening, Grace found him in the kitchen preparing dinner.
Or attempting to.
Smoke rose from a pan.
She stared.
“Declan.”
He turned.
“Before you say anything—”
“Is the pasta on fire?”
“Technically, it's the sauce.”
She burst out laughing.
Declan grinned.
“I told you I couldn't cook.”
Grace crossed the kitchen.
Turned off the stove.
Then kissed him.
He looked surprised.
“What was that for?”
She smiled.
“For trying.”
He wrapped his arms around her.
“Grace.”
“Yes?”
“I love you.”
Her eyes filled.
He continued.
“I don't need you to say it back.”
She shook her head.
“Declan.”
He stopped.
She touched his face.
“I love you too.”
For a moment, the billionaire who could negotiate billion-dollar acquisitions looked completely speechless.
May you like
Then he smiled.
And kissed her again.
