Chapter 184

Chapter 184
Hannah's POV

The soft glow of strategically placed garden lights illuminated Sterling Estate's lavish grounds, where an elaborate setup awaited the media.

After the evening's formal dinner, the outdoor interview area had been transformed with rare exotic plants arranged in artistic clusters, and small animals watched curiously from their specially designed enclosures. Everything about the garden screamed luxury and careful planning—nothing less would be expected for the official welcome party for the Sterling heir.

I smoothed my dress nervously as I sat on the white designer outdoor sofa beside Finn. Despite having been through countless public appearances in recent months, this one felt different. More personal. The reporters would be asking about us, not just business.

"Relax," Finn murmured, his eyes scanning the garden with that calculating look I'd come to recognize. "You look beautiful."

Before I could respond, he reached behind the sofa and produced a small golden retriever puppy, its fur gleaming in the lamplight. The tiny creature looked up at me with adorable brown eyes, wagging its tail enthusiastically.

"From Brian," Finn explained, placing the puppy on my lap. "Born the same day as our son. Thought it was fitting."

I gasped in delight, immediately cradling the warm bundle of fur. "He's perfect! Does he have a name?"

"I thought you might want to handle that part."

The puppy nuzzled against my hand, and I immediately knew what to call him. "Sunshine," I decided. "His name is Sunshine."

Finn's mouth twitched in what might have been amusement. "Predictable, but suitable."

The media crew finished their setup, and a polished reporter with perfectly styled hair approached us with a practiced smile. Cameras began rolling as she introduced herself and the network, then launched into her first question.

"Mr. Sterling, the entire business world is watching your family with great interest. What expectations do you have for the newest Sterling heir?"

Finn answered without hesitation, his voice confident and measured. "Everything I have now, everything I will acquire in the future—it all becomes his starting point. The Sterling legacy isn't just about wealth or power; it's about building something that lasts generations."

The reporter nodded appreciatively before turning to me. "And Mrs. Sterling, how did you two meet? The public is fascinated by your love story."

I froze, uncertain how to answer. The truth was complicated—I'd first met Finn when we were children, and he'd saved me from bullies. I'd had a crush on him ever since. Years later, we met again, but I didn't recognize him with his sunglasses. I fell for him all over again, only realizing who he truly was after he was injured and I saw his eyes.

But that story seemed too convoluted for a public interview, and I wasn't sure if Finn even knew about my childhood crush. Plus, would the media even care about such details?

As I hesitated, Finn smoothly interjected, "I saved her when we were children. She had a crush on me even then."

I nearly dropped the puppy in shock. How did he know? I turned to look at him, my eyes wide with surprise.

Finn gave my hand a gentle squeeze, the gesture hidden from the cameras by the puppy between us. His eyes held mine for a brief moment, communicating volumes without words.

The reporter smiled brightly. "How romantic! Now, we have a fun segment prepared. We call it the whiteboard challenge."

An assistant handed each of us a small whiteboard and marker. The reporter explained, "I'll ask a question, and you'll both write your answers without seeing each other's response. Then we reveal simultaneously. Ready?"

We nodded, and she asked her first question: "Hannah, what do you love most about Finn?"

I stared at the blank whiteboard, suddenly flustered. What did I love most? Everything, really. His strength. His unexpected tenderness. The way he protected what was his. How could I choose just one thing?

After what felt like an eternity of deliberation, I scribbled "his physique" and immediately regretted it. It seemed so shallow compared to everything else I could have written, but the reporter was counting down, and I panicked.

When we revealed our answers, laughter rippled through the crew. My face burned with embarrassment as the reporter read aloud, "Hannah loves Finn's physique most, while Finn wrote 'if it's me, she loves it.'"

Finn turned to me with a raised eyebrow, his lips curving into that rare genuine smile. "Bold of you, Hannah."

I wanted to explain myself, to rewrite my answer, but the reporter insisted we keep our "authentic" responses, much to my mortification.

"Now, let's flip it," she continued. "Finn, what do you love most about Hannah?"

I stared at my blank whiteboard, wondering what Finn might say. Would he mention something practical, like my care for his son? Or perhaps something physical, matching my embarrassing answer? After some thought, I wrote "loves him enough," believing that my unwavering love despite his difficult nature was what he appreciated most.

When we revealed our answers, my heart nearly stopped. My simple "loves him enough" looked pitiful next to Finn's bold "EVERYTHING!" complete with an exclamation point.

The crew let out a collective "aww," and I felt a lump form in my throat. I'd been so certain that Finn's love was measured, calculated—a response to my love rather than something that existed independently. But his answer suggested something far deeper and more encompassing than I'd ever allowed myself to believe.

The reporter seized on this moment, asking, "So Hannah pursued you, Mr. Sterling? That's unusual given your reputation."

Finn's eyes hardened slightly as he replied, "Is there something wrong with that?"

"Not at all," the reporter quickly backpedaled. "It's just refreshing to see in today's world."

I maintained my smile throughout the remainder of the interview, but inside, I was fighting back tears. Not tears of sadness, but of profound realization. Finn's love wasn't just a reaction to mine. It wasn't a calculated business decision or a convenient arrangement.

He loved everything about me, and he wasn't afraid to declare it before the cameras and the world.

As the interview concluded and the crew began packing up, Finn leaned close to my ear and whispered, "Don't look so surprised, Hannah. I never say anything I don't mean."

With Sunshine cradled in my arms, I wondered if perhaps I'd been underestimating Finn's capacity for love all along.