Page 233 of Corrupted By You

When I met Zeno, he always spoke with his actions. Now he’d learned to use his words in the best way possible. Behind closed doors, he stopped being the leader of a notorious crime family and was instead my besotted husband. His guard down, he allowed himself to be vulnerable in my presence. Allowed himself to trust me so I could worm my way into his heart. Allowed himself to fall in love with me.

And I too opened my heart to him.

Behind closed doors, I wasn’t straight-laced Principal Hill, but his equally smitten wife. I had learned to stand up for myself. Learned to be confident and unapologetic. Learned to love and be loved in return.

It was written in the stars.

Zeno and I were fated.

“I need you to close your eyes for this.” We reached the front of the school and I wanted to witness his surprise reaction when he saw this particular placefor the first time. “Can you do that for me?”

No questions asked, he obeyed. I wove our hands and walked through the courtyard.

It was late at night and nobody besides us was on the property.

In a minute, we reached the area where the west wing once existed prior to the fire.

Construction was still underway. However, the bare skeleton of the new building was up.

Zeno sensed us entering new quarters. He remained silent like a good sport.

Upon reaching the centrefold of the space, I said, “Open your eyes.”

His curious gaze bounced around the wooden structure. “Is this part of the new west wing?”

“Yes. They’re hoping to wrap up construction just shy of winter.” I gripped his hand tighter. “I want to keep the original aesthetic of the school with the intricate molding, dark wood accents, mosaic-stained windows but still add some modern touches. What do you think?”

He smiled wide. “I think it’ll look stunning, Darla.”

I snaked both my arms around his waist and peered up at his handsome face. “I’m happy you approve because you are currently standing inside the Zeno Gianni De la Croix Atrium.”

Zeno froze.

For the second time tonight, I held my breath.

Those spellbinding brown eyes of his glittered with intensity. “You named this building after me?”

I nodded, suddenly feeling shy. “Yes.”

“Why?” His voice was raw.

“This is my legacy, Zeno, and you are very much a part of my history. You have given me so much and I simply wish to do the same. It was only right for me to honour you this way.”

For the man who possessed all the riches in the world, there was only one way to show your utmost appreciation…

By building him a monument.

“Do you know what you have done, Darla?”

I stole a page outof your book and spoke with actions.

“Yes.” I traced my engraved initials in his tie pin. “Immortalized my love forever.”

I never wanted him to doubt his worth to me.

Zeno was priceless and he needed to know it.

One day we would pass away, but St. Victoria would stand the test of time. Whenever students stood inside the Zeno Gianni De la Croix Atrium, I wanted them to remember that love like this existed. The kind that consumed you. The kind that enticed you to build monuments after the love of your life.