“We’re planning to acquire the following streaming services,” Dom says as he gives me a high-level summary of the deals currently on the table, but I can barely focus on him.

I drag a hand through my hair while he keeps talking about my schedule, potential movie investments, sponsorship deals, and God knows what else.

I’ve always loved the fast pace and pressure of my job, but lately?

I need a fucking break.

I haven’t felt like myself in weeks, and I still can’t pinpoint exactly what threw me off balance so badly.

Is it the constant arguments with Hannah and our approaching wedding?

Or is it Raven?

No matter how hard I try to forget that night, my thoughts always drift back to the way she sat in my lap, her entire body bared for me.

I’ve never seen Raven look at me the way she did that night.

And now I can’t unsee it.

I keep wondering who hurt her badly enough to leave her that broken.

I’m not an idiot.

It was obvious she was hung up on someone.

And I fucking hate the thought of anyone causing her that much pain.

What would’ve happened if I hadn’t been there that night?

Would she really have gone home with some random guy?

With John?

Or maybe with the man she can’t seem to let go of?

The one she admitted she loves?

Who the fuck is it anyway?

I haven’t seen her seriously involved with anyone in years.

I sigh heavily and force myself to focus on the reports spread across my desk.

My office door suddenly swings open, and both Dom and I look up in surprise.

Hannah walks inside wearing a tight smile.

“I checked your schedule,” she says quietly. “You’re free right now, aren’t you?”

I nod slowly as she takes the seat across from my desk.

Dom immediately gathers his documents and excuses himself, leaving us alone.

“Hannah,” I say, surprised to see her here.

I can count on one hand the number of times she’s visited my office.

Being associated too closely with me professionally has always terrified her.

She’s spent years making sure nobody could accuse her of building her career through me.

“What brings you here?”

Her smile falters.

We’ve barely spoken properly in weeks, and whenever we do, it turns into another argument.

Even on her birthday, we only managed one peaceful hour before she accused me of not trying hard enough with her friends.

The same friends she still hides our relationship from.

“We need to talk,” she says softly.

I lean back in my chair and suppress a sigh.

What now?

I understand the pressure we’re both under, but I’m exhausted.

I’m tired of constantly fighting with her.

I just want things to go back to how they used to be.

Back when we were happy.

Back when we were excited about our future together.

“What do you want to talk about?” I ask calmly.

“Ares,” she whispers, her voice breaking. “I can’t do this. I… I can’t marry you.”

I slowly rest my elbows on my desk and bury my hands in my hair before closing my eyes.

“Our wedding is next week, Hannah. You’ve already postponed it three times.”

“Ares, I’m serious. The more I think about it, the more trapped I feel.”

Her eyes glisten with emotion.

“Your family’s rules are insane. We aren’t allowed to spend more than three consecutive days apart during the first three years of our marriage. How is that even supposed to work? You can’t abandon your company to follow me around while I film, and I can’t put my career on hold for three years.”

She shakes her head.

“How much longer do I realistically have at the peak of my career? I’m finally where I always dreamed of being, and I can’t walk away from that now. Maybe someday the timing will be right for us… but it isn’t right now, Ares.”

I stare at her quietly, taking in the genuine fear in her eyes.

She means it this time.

“Hannah,” I say gently, “I hear you. I really do. But this marriage was never only about us. It’s about our families too. Our companies. The merger.”

I inhale slowly.

“We’re lucky we fell in love with each other, but at the end of the day, this is still an arranged marriage. Walking away isn’t really an option for either of us.”

She shakes her head immediately.

“I’m not saying I never want to marry you. I’m saying not now.”

She wraps her arms around herself tightly.

“Someday we’ll probably want children. Someday I might want to slow down professionally. But that time isn’t now, Ares. Marriage isn’t something we can casually gamble with. If we do this now, I honestly don’t think our relationship will survive the pressure.”

Her expression crumbles.

“And I definitely don’t think my career will.”

Silence settles heavily between us.

Part of me understands exactly what she’s saying.

But it’s too late now.

“Han,” I say softly, “I know you’re scared. I know the pressure is getting to you. But we’ll figure it out. We don’t have the luxury of walking away from this.”

She slowly rises to her feet and shakes her head.

Then she looks at me with an expression full of regret.

“I’m sorry, Ares.”

My stomach drops.

She reaches into her pocket and pulls out her engagement ring before placing it carefully on my desk.

She barely even wore the damn thing.

And somehow, watching her give it back still feels like a punch to the chest.

“Hannah,” I say hoarsely. “Don’t do this.”

She shakes her head again.

“I’m sorry.”

Before I can stop her, she turns and rushes out of my office.

The door slams shut behind her.

And I just sit there staring after her, my thoughts in complete chaos.

This isn’t the first time Hannah has gotten cold feet.

And it isn’t the first time she’s panicked about her career either.

But this time feels different.

This time feels final.

And I have absolutely no fucking idea what I’m supposed to do next.