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Nina's POV

I had never imagined a moment like this. It felt like something out of a surreal movie—a dream I couldn’t wake up from. There I was, standing in the middle of an extravagant banquet, the center of attention, and yet, all I felt was the weight of the decisions pressing down on me. Four men—four powerful, influential men—kneeling in front of me, each offering their heart, their loyalty, and their future. And I, caught in the chaos of it all, didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, or scream. But what was truly baffling was that none of them truly understood who I was—not the person I had worked so hard to become.

I could see their faces as I looked down at them. Matthew’s intense gaze, as if he was certain that my answer would be yes. Leonard’s hopeful, almost desperate eyes, pleading with me as if he truly believed we had some unfinished story. And then there was Jordan, my ex-husband, the man who had once promised me everything but ended up shattering my world.

I could feel my heart racing as I tried to compose myself. I wasn’t just any woman. I was Nina, Miss McDonald's, the heiress to Liberty Enterprises. I had spent my life proving to the world that I was more than just a pretty face in the kitchen. But here they were, all of them, trying to reduce me to just another woman they could claim as their own.

“Nina, remember I said it first,” Matthew’s voice cut through my thoughts, bringing me back to the present. His words were laced with urgency, almost as if he were afraid of losing me.

I didn’t know how to respond. I couldn’t marry him. I couldn’t marry Leonard either. It wasn’t because they weren’t good men—no, they were—Leonard, especially, had been a great friend in the past. But things had changed, and I had changed. I had found someone else. Mark.

I turned to Leonard, my heart heavy with regret. “Leonard, I… I’m so sorry,” I started, my voice faltering. “But I can’t marry you. I just can’t.”

Before I could finish, Matthew, still kneeling beside me, interjected again, his tone desperate. “Nina, please. I’ve loved you for so long. Don’t let this be the end for us.”

I could feel the tension rising in the air, thickening with every word, every plea. My heart ached for them both, but my mind was made up. I had made a promise to myself long ago—not to settle for anyone less than what I truly wanted, and right now, that was Mark. Mark.

Just as I was about to respond to Matthew, a figure blocked my path, and I froze. My eyes widened in disbelief as Jordan, my ex-husband, knelt before me. “Nina, please. I’m so sorry. I regret everything I’ve done to you. Please, come back to me. I know you’re Miss McDonald’s now, and I swear I’ll do anything to make things right. Just… just come back to me, for the sake of the business, for us.”

His words were desperate, almost pathetic. I could see the guilt in his eyes, the remorse. But what he didn’t see was the depth of the pain he had caused me—the broken promises, the lies, the infidelity. He had shattered my trust and left me to pick up the pieces. I had been foolish to believe in him, to think that love would conquer all.

“You want me to come back to you, Jordan?” I asked, my voice cold, my eyes narrowed. “After everything you did? After everything I went through because of you?” My voice shook with the rawness of my anger, but I refused to let him see the tears that threatened to fall.

I stepped back, the distance between us growing. “I feel nothing but pity for you,” I said, my words sharp and cutting. “You want to know how I feel about you? Nothing. I feel nothing for you. Not now. Not ever.”

I couldn’t hold back any longer. I pushed him to the ground, not caring that the room fell silent, that all eyes were on us. “You’re done, Jordan. Don’t ever come near me again,” I spat, my chest heaving with the intensity of my emotions.

The room was quiet, the air thick with tension. My eyes flicked over to Mark, my husband. The man I had married, even if it had started as a contract. The man who had stood by me, who had seen me for who I truly was. He was standing across the room, his expression unreadable, but his eyes locked onto mine. I could feel the warmth of his gaze, the love and understanding in them, and it was everything I needed in that moment.

I walked toward him, my steps deliberate, my heart pounding in my chest. The chaos of the room faded away as I reached him, and I felt a sense of calm wash over me. I wasn’t alone. I wasn’t fighting this battle by myself.

“Mark,” I whispered, my voice breaking slightly as I reached out to him. He took my hand in his, pulling me closer, and I could feel his strength, his warmth, as he enveloped me in his embrace. His touch was everything I had ever needed, everything I had ever wanted.

I gazed up at him, my heart full. “I’m Nina. I’m 23 years old, and I’m Miss McDonald’s. I’m the heiress of Liberty Enterprises. But most importantly, I’m yours. I’m ready to make this real, Mark. This is no longer a contract. This is us. This is our future. Will you marry me?” The words felt right, and as they left my lips, I felt a sense of peace settle over me.

His eyes softened as he gazed at me, and I saw something in them that I had never seen before—complete and utter love. “Yes,” he said, his voice steady but full of emotion. “Yes, I will. I’ll marry you, Nina. Not because of a contract, but because I love you. I’ve always loved you.”

I couldn’t contain the tears that welled up in my eyes. “I love you too,” I whispered, and before I could say anything more, he kissed me—tenderly, passionately, with a love that felt all-encompassing. The world around us seemed to fade away, and for the first time in a long while, I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be.

The sound of applause broke the silence, but it didn’t matter. Nothing else mattered except the man in front of me. The love of my life. And in that moment, I knew that everything I had been through—the heartache, the betrayal, the pain—had led me here, to this moment with Mark.

I smiled against his lips, feeling the weight of everything finally lifting off my shoulders. “This time, it’s real,” I whispered, and he kissed me again, as if to seal that promise. And for the first time in a long time, I believed in love. Real love. And nothing else mattered.

The world could have come crashing down around us, but in that moment, we were invincible. Together. Forever.