Sam's POV
I had just finished the final paperwork, exhaustion and relief washing over me simultaneously. What had started as a potential professional disaster had transformed into a triumph, thanks to Stella's unexpected intervention.
As I exited the office, I froze at the sight of a well-dressed man waiting in the hallway. Nathan Gray, looking every inch the wealthy heir in his tailored suit, his dark eyes fixed on me with an intensity that once would have made my heart race.
Now it only made my stomach churn.
"Sam," he began, taking a step toward me.
"Mr. Gray, if you're lost, the staff can assist you," I said coldly. "Or perhaps I should call Miss Martin to find you?"
He flinched slightly at the mention of Ava. "I wanted to speak with you alone."
"We have nothing to discuss," I replied, attempting to move past him.
Nathan blocked my path—not touching me, but positioning himself to make my exit difficult. "Who is that man who's been looking for you lately?"
The question caught me off guard. "What?"
"That man—tall, always in expensive suits. I've heard he's been asking about you."
A spark of anger ignited in my chest. "My personal life is no longer your concern, Nathan."
"Sam," his voice softened, taking on that persuasive tone I remembered too well, "your family lost everything, but your father left you a personal trust fund that would tempt many men. I'm worried—"
"Worried?" I laughed bitterly. "After what you did? You destroyed my family's business, drove my father to suicide, and now you pretend to care about me?"
Nathan's expression darkened. "I never meant for your father to—"
"Shut up!" I hissed, my composure finally breaking. "You dated me because I resembled Ava! The thought of being that bitch's stand-in makes me sick! You bankrupted my family, my father was pushed into the river by debt collectors... Nathan, you should fucking thank the law for saving your life! Otherwise I would have strangled you already!"
His face paled. "Sam, it wasn't like that—"
"Is there a problem here?"
A deep, melodious voice interrupted Nathan's defense. Victor stood at the end of the hallway, his tall figure imposing in the narrow space.
Nathan's expression shifted from shock to confusion. "Victor? What are you doing here?"
Victor approached unhurriedly. "Someone asked if the Moore family was entering the auction business. I came to investigate." His eyes flickered between Nathan and me. "After all, the Gray family isn't in the auction business."
"Indeed we're not," Nathan cautiously agreed.
"Good," Victor nodded. "Since you're planning to announce your engagement to Miss Martin, you should maintain appropriate distance from former girlfriends."
Nathan's jaw tightened, but before he could respond, Victor removed his coat and gently draped it over my shoulders. This protective, almost possessive gesture, combined with the warmth of the fabric and Victor's subtle cologne, enveloped me.
"Sam," Nathan's voice was strained with disbelief, "you two... know each other?"
I lifted my chin, deriving a small satisfaction from his obvious confusion. "I don't believe I need to explain my personal relationships to a former boyfriend, do I?"
"Nathan," Victor said calmly, "your fiancée is waiting."
Nathan's gaze darted between us, his eyes narrowing. "I never meant for your father to die," he said quietly. "The Moore family built its fortune on Gray family foundations. I was only trying to reclaim what belonged to the Gray family, never expecting it would bankrupt your family completely. Your father's death was an accident."
"Victor," I deliberately turned my back on Nathan, "let's go."
As we walked away, I could feel Nathan's gaze burning into my back. The weight of history and unresolved anger still hung between us, but for the first time in years, I no longer felt powerless against it.
\---
Once we safely reached the outside, I removed Victor's coat and handed it back to him. "Weren't you supposed to return to the Moore family estate?"
"I had business in the city," he replied, making no move to take the coat.
"Well—thank you for your help just now," I said awkwardly, draping the coat over my arm. "Goodbye, Mr. Moore."
"Where are you going?" he asked, his tone casual but his eyes intent.
"Does it matter?" I countered.
"It matters to me."
I sighed, suddenly feeling extremely tired. "Mr. Moore, we clarified certain things between us before, didn't we?"
Something—perhaps regret—flashed across his handsome features. "We did. I promised you a clean Moore family. I'll handle it soon."
In the brief silence, the unspoken history between us hung heavily in the night air.
"Sam!" Stella's voice broke the tension as she hurried toward us, Adam following at a more measured pace. "Everything okay?"
I forced myself to smile. "Perfect timing. Let's go celebrate."
\---
Stella's POV
The century-old private restaurant was renowned for its exclusive clientele and exquisite cuisine.
We sat at adjacent tables—Sam and I at one, Adam and Victor at another nearby. This arrangement, though unusual, was appropriate, allowing both pairs to converse privately while remaining close enough for occasional interaction.
"You really didn't need to fly all the way here to throw money around," Sam said, taking a small sip of fragrant tea.
"And let my Sam get pushed around? Never," I reached across to squeeze her hand. "Besides, Nathan deserved to have his scheme blown up in his face."
Sam smiled, though the smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "How did Victor end up here?"
"Nathan's fault," I glanced at the men's table. "Now he seems reluctant to leave."
At the neighboring table, Victor and Adam maintained a conversation that appeared cordial on the surface, though I noticed occasional measuring glances between them.
"Mr. Lancaster, thank you for your assistance today," Victor said, his voice just loud enough for us to hear.
Adam nodded slightly. "Are you serious about pursuing Sam? You're moving rather slowly."
Before Victor could respond, his phone rang. He checked the caller ID, frowned slightly, and answered. "What is it?"
I couldn't hear the other end of the conversation, but Victor's expression grew serious. "Nathan, when I became acquainted with Sam isn't relevant. What matters is that Sam will be my wife and the mistress of the Moore family. As her former boyfriend, you need to maintain your distance."
Sam nearly choked on her tea, staring wide-eyed at Victor. He ended the call and returned to his conversation with Adam as if nothing had happened.
"Did he just—" Sam began, her voice barely audible.
"Yes, he did," I confirmed, unable to suppress a smile at her shocked expression. "It seems Victor has quite publicly staked his claim."
Sam's face flushed. "It's not like that—we aren't—"
"Save those lies for someone who might believe them," I teased, enjoying her rare moment of flustered confusion.
As Sam began to explain, I glanced at Adam. He caught my eye and smiled—a private, intimate expression that made my heart skip a beat. After everything we'd been through, being here together, supporting our friends while strengthening our own connection, felt like a small miracle.
Whatever challenges lay ahead, at least we would face them together.
The auction concluded, and we checked into a luxurious hotel in New York City. Naturally, Adam and I shared a room, while Victor and Sam each had their own room. Whether or not they stayed together, I was uncertain.
I barely registered the sound of the door closing behind me before Adam pressed me against the wall, his lips possessively claiming mine with a hunger that left me breathless. His hands cupped my face, thumbs gently caressing my cheeks—this tenderness forming a stark contrast with his demanding kiss.
Damn, why is he so eager today?