Chapter 39
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Tania
The fallout from Damon’s accusations hits harder than I expected. Even though Levi and I have been working tirelessly to set the record straight, I can’t help but feel the lingering sting of his words. Every whispered doubt, every speculative glance—it all weighs on me, a constant reminder of how fragile this whole arrangement once was.
I sit in the living room, scrolling through my phone. News articles and social media posts swirl with rumors, some too ridiculous to entertain, but others cut a little too close to the truth. The room feels too quiet, too still, and I find myself craving Levi’s steady presence.
As if summoned by my thoughts, he appears in the doorway, holding two mugs of tea. His expression softens when he sees me, his green eyes filled with a mix of concern and determination.
“Thought you could use this,” he says, handing me a mug.
“Thanks,” I reply, offering a small smile. “You always know how to show up at the right time.”
He sits beside me, his knee brushing mine. “That’s my job.”
I laugh lightly, though the sound feels hollow. “It’s more than a job right now, isn’t it? The way people are talking, it’s like everything we’ve built is hanging by a thread.”
“It’s not,” he says firmly, taking my hand in his. “People can talk all they want, but the truth is on our side. And more importantly, we’re on the same side.”
His words bring a small sense of comfort, but the doubts still linger. “What if they don’t believe us, Levi? What if Damon wins?”
“He won’t,” he replies, his voice steady. “Because I won’t let him.”
Facing the Investors
The next day, Levi insists on meeting with some of the key investors in person. I don’t want to go at first—just the thought of facing their questions makes my stomach twist—but Levi won’t hear it.
“We’re in this together,” he says, his hand resting lightly on my back as we walk into the sleek, glass-walled conference room.
The investors are already seated, their expressions guarded but curious as we take our places at the head of the table. Levi opens the meeting with his trademark confidence, addressing the rumors head-on. His voice is calm but firm as he outlines the facts, refuting Damon’s claims with undeniable evidence.
But it’s when he turns to me that my heart skips a beat.
“And to be clear,” Levi says, his voice softening as he looks at me, “this engagement isn’t just real—it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Tania has been my partner in every sense of the word, and I wouldn’t be standing here today without her.”
A murmur of approval ripples through the room, but I barely hear it. All I can focus on is the sincerity in Levi’s eyes, the way his words wrap around me like a shield against the doubts that have been gnawing at my heart.
When the meeting ends, I feel a flicker of something I haven’t felt in days: hope.
A Quiet Celebration
That evening, back at the penthouse, Levi pours two glasses of champagne. He hands me one, his smile soft but triumphant.
“To us,” he says, holding his glass aloft. “And to not letting Damon get the last word.”
“To us,” I echo, clinking my glass against his. The bubbles fizz against my lips as I take a sip, the tension of the past few days melting away with each passing moment.
“You were incredible today,” I say, setting my glass down. “The way you handled the investors, the way you spoke about us... it meant a lot.”
“I meant every word,” he replies, his gaze steady. “I’m not just fighting for my company, Tania. I’m fighting for us.”
His words make my chest tighten, and I reach for his hand, lacing my fingers with his. “We’ll get through this, won’t we?”
“Together,” he says, leaning in to brush a kiss against my temple. “Always.”