Chapter 14 - THE MAN WHO LEARNED TO LOVE WITHOUT CONTROL
Elias had never planned to fall in love.
His life had been organized around work.
Acquisitions.
Contracts.
Expansion.
He knew how to build companies.
He knew how to negotiate.
He knew how to win.
But Laurel had taught him something he hadn't expected.
Love wasn't a transaction.
It wasn't an acquisition.
It wasn't something he could secure through influence.
It required patience.
Respect.
And the willingness to let another person remain entirely herself.
One evening, he invited Laurel to his penthouse.
She arrived to find the dining room empty.
No staff.
No elaborate decorations.
Just candles.
Pasta.
And a slightly burned loaf of garlic bread.
Laurel stared.
“Did you cook?”
Elias looked embarrassed.
“I attempted to.”
She laughed.
“Attempted?”
“The bread suffered.”
She smiled.
Then noticed a small velvet box on the table.
Her heart stopped.
“Elias?”
He approached.
“I know you've spent years rebuilding your life.”
She swallowed.
“And I know you don't need someone to complete it.”
Her eyes filled.
He continued.
“But I'd like to spend mine beside you.”
He lowered himself onto one knee.
Laurel covered her mouth.
“Laurel Hensley.”
His voice trembled.
“Will you marry me?”
She began crying.
Then laughed.
Then cried harder.
“Yes.”
Elias closed his eyes.
Relief washed over his face.
She knelt beside him.
May you like
And kissed him.
For the first time in her life, Laurel understood what it felt like to be loved without being diminished.
