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He didn’t move right away.
Instead, he reached out, gently tracing his thumb along my cheek, his touch achingly tender.
"Just don’t expect me to stop caring about you," he murmured. "No matter how far you push me away."
Then he was gone.
And the moment the door clicked shut, I let out a shaky breath, wrapping my arms around myself to keep from breaking.
I had to do this.
Even if it hurt.
The next morning, I walked into Amélie to find a stranger waiting in my office.
He was tall, well-dressed, exuding the kind of confidence that came with money. The kind of man who had never heard no a day in his life.
"Scarlett Lane,” he said, standing when I entered. "A pleasure to finally meet you."
I hesitated. "And you are?"
He smiled. "Nathaniel Cole. I represent The Kingsley Group."
The name sent a prickle of unease down my spine.
Kingsley was a powerhouse in the hospitality world. They owned luxury hotels, fine-dining establishments, and high-end brands.
If they were here, it wasn’t out of the goodness of their hearts.
"What do you want?" I asked, crossing my arms.
Nathaniel’s smile didn’t waver. "We want you."
I frowned. "Excuse me?"
He gestured for me to sit, and after a moment, I did—mostly because I wanted to hear him out.
"We’ve been following the rise of Amélie for quite some time," Nathaniel continued. "You have something special here, Scarlett. A brand. A name. Something that can be bigger than just one restaurant."
I inhaled slowly. "Go on."
He leaned forward slightly. "Kingsley is offering you a partnership. We’ll invest in Amélie, expand its reach, and ensure that no one—no rival, no competitor—can ever bring it down again."
I stiffened. "And what’s the catch?"
Nathaniel’s smile turned knowing. "You’d have to separate your personal and professional life. Kingsley has strict policies about public entanglements, especially with powerful corporate figures."
My stomach twisted.
I knew exactly what he meant.
Christian.
He didn’t say his name, but he didn’t have to.
Nathaniel sat back. "Think about it. With Kingsley behind you, no one—not even your most persistent enemy—can touch you."
I felt lightheaded.