Aiden Knight's POV
The evening air feels perfect as Chloe drives us back toward her apartment. Classical music plays softly from the speakers, and her hand rests gently over mine on the center console.
"I still can't believe Owen's going to be okay," she says for the hundredth time today. Her voice carries a lightness I haven't heard in weeks.
"Dr. Liu said full recovery within a month."
"And no debt. No marriage to Marcus Chen. No more sleepless nights wondering how we'll survive." She glances at me with those beautiful eyes. "You saved my entire family today."
"I told you. Family helps family."
A soft smile curves her lips. "Is that what we are now? Family?"
"What do you think?"
She squeezes my hand. "I think I'm the luckiest woman alive."
The contentment in her voice makes something warm unfurl in my chest. For the first time in five years, I feel almost... normal. Like maybe there's more to life than revenge and blood.
Then my blood turns to ice.
