AMELIE
The air inside Logan's luxury car felt stiff with tension as we pulled away from the Crane estate.
I slumped against the soft leather seat, the gravity of what had just happened finally hitting me. I was homeless, dirt poor, and had just burned my last bridge in spectacular fashion.
Yet somehow, I felt freer than I had in years. I felt alive.
"Are you alright?" Logan's low voice pulled me out of my thoughts. He was watching me with curious eyes, his expression a blend of concern and something else I couldn't quite understand.
"I'm not sure," I answered honestly. "I should be terrified right now. I have nowhere to go, barely any money left..." I trailed off, shaking my head. "But all I feel is relief. Isn't it weird?"
A small smile graced his lips. Goddess, what a stunning man he was. "Sometimes burning bridges gives us enough light to see where we're supposed to go."
I stared at him, strangely fascinated by that answer. "Are you one of the lights that will help me see my path, Mr. Grant? Frankly, I still can't believe you went there with me."
"There was something I got out of it, too," he replied with a shrug. "The Crane family has a reputation for devouring people they consider beneath them. It was... satisfying to disrupt their little banquet."
The memory of their shocked faces when Logan walked in beside me made me chuckle. "You are right, the sight was priceless."
We fell into a comfortable silence as the car navigated through the City's upscale neighborhoods. I realized I had no idea where we were headed.
"Where are we going?" I finally asked.
Logan turned to face me. "I own several properties throughout the country. One of them is a guest villa in the Moonlight Heights district. It's fully furnished, private, and currently empty." He paused, gauging my reaction. "You're welcome to stay there as long as you need."
I felt strange. The offer was extremely generous, yet once again, I felt like a charity case. "I can't accept that. It's too much."
"You healed my old injury," Logan insisted, his tone dropping to a commanding grunt. "I don't like being indebted to someone. So, either take my money or a place to stay."
I shook my head firmly. "I won't hold you up to it," I promised. "There is no need to pay me back."
"Fine," he pressed. "Consider it a loan, then. You will be the one to pay me back. Sometime."
"Why are you helping me?" I suddenly asked bluntly. "We only met today. You don't know anything about me. Or rather, you thought you knew enough to crown me a charlatan. So why are you doing this now?"
Logan fell silent for a few moments, adjusting a platinum watch on his wrist as he mulled over his next words.
"And I was wrong, which not many men of my status can admit. Now, I know that you possess a talent beyond my understanding, Mrs. Gilmore. You could have used it to extort money from me, yet you refused payment. Strength. Pride. Dignity. Grace. You are worthy to be Luna... I hate seeing this potential go to waste because of the blind people like Cranes."
I felt heat rush to my cheeks, embarrassment blooming inside my chest. I couldn't remember the last time someone praised me like that. It felt... refreshing.
The car turned onto a private road lined with towering chestnut trees. At the end stood a modern villa, all clean lines and glass, nestled against a hillside overlooking the city.
"Here we are," Logan announced as the car came to a stop. "It's not as grand as the main pack estate, but I think you'll find it comfortable."
'Comfortable' was an understatement. As we stepped inside, I was greeted by soaring ceilings, minimalist furnishings that probably cost more than I'd earned in my lifetime, and floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing a breathtaking view of the city.
"This is..." I struggled to find the right words. "This is incredible."
"This place is being maintained 24/7," Logan explained. "Food, appliances, all the necessary services – everything is here. And if it's not, the delivery service works without breaks."
He started walking through the space, showing me around, but all I could do was gape at him in awe. I couldn't believe it.
Yesterday, I was being ordered around the Riverstone pack like a servant. Today, I was being offered a luxury villa by one of the most powerful men in the country.
"This is too much, Mr. Grant," I said finally, stopping in the middle of the vast living room. "How can you offer this space to someone like me?"
Logan turned to face me, his expression unexpectedly serious. "And what's wrong with someone like you? Like I said, I don't like burying talents. I think you can bloom stunningly, given everything you need."
"Excuse me?" I echoed, confused.
"I'm a businessman above everything else," he said, taking a step closer to me, his eyes burning. "I recognize potential when I see it. Whatever knowledge or ability allowed you to do what you did today, it's valuable. And I prefer to be on the right side of valuable things."
His words struck me as coldly calculating for someone who had just performed such a generous act. But they also made a lot of sense. This wasn't charity; it was an investment.
"So am I just a business arrangement to you?" I asked.
Logan chuckled. "We can call it a mutually beneficial alliance for now," he then replied. "Take your time to think it over, Mrs. Gilmore. You can stay here for as long as you need."
With that, he handed me a small remote and a key card. "All the codes and numbers are in the envelope inside the first kitchen drawer. Call me if you need anything else."
He turned to leave, but paused right at the door. "By the way... If you are indeed serious about your divorce, I'll contact my lawyer right away."
Before I could thank him again, he was already gone, leaving me alone in a house more luxurious than anywhere I'd ever lived, with a view I could have only dreamed of.