For the first time in weeks, Amanda and Greyson had carved out a moment of peace. The chaos of boardrooms and press conferences seemed far away as they sat together on the penthouse balcony, the city lights glittering beneath them like scattered stars.
Amanda leaned against Greyson's shoulder, her heart steady for once. "It feels like the world finally stopped spinning," she whispered.
Greyson's lips curved faintly, his voice low. "Moments like this are rare. That's why they matter."
Amanda closed her eyes, savoring the warmth of his presence. For the first time, she allowed herself to believe they could have something beyond battles and whispers — something real, something lasting.
But peace, as always, was fragile.
The sharp buzz of Greyson's phone shattered the quiet. He ignored it at first, but when it rang again, his jaw tightened. Amanda sat up, her pulse quickening.
"Answer it," she said softly.
Greyson's voice was clipped as he spoke. "Black."
Amanda watched his expression shift, the calm fading into steel. "What do you mean she's back?" he demanded.
Amanda's stomach dropped. She didn't need to hear the other side to know who it was. Vanessa Cole.
Greyson ended the call abruptly, his eyes dark. "She's not finished. Vanessa's aligned herself with one of my oldest rivals. They're planning something bigger — something that could tear the company apart."
Amanda's breath caught. "And me?"
Greyson's gaze locked with hers, fierce and unyielding. "You're the target. They think if they break you, they break me."
The words pressed against Amanda's chest, heavy with fear and defiance. She had fought whispers, faced the press, and stood her ground in the boardroom. But this was different. This was war.
Greyson reached for her hand, his touch grounding. "I promised you we'd face this together. That hasn't changed. But you need to be ready. They won't stop until they've tested every part of us."
Amanda's heart raced, but she met his gaze, her voice steady. "Then let them try. I'm not running."
Greyson's lips curved faintly, pride flickering in his eyes. "That's why they'll never win."
The city lights shimmered below, but Amanda felt the storm gathering above them. Their love had survived whispers, sabotage, and sacrifice. Now, it was about to face its greatest test — an enemy determined to destroy them both.