Joshua West watched Leonard Peters’ face darken, and a sudden wave of panic hit him out of nowhere. He cut into the conversation fast, voice sharp with urgency. “Mom, we need to get out of here.”

Mrs. West was thrown off by Joshua’s sudden move at first, but one glance at the sweat beading on his forehead and she got it right away. Any more of this fight wouldn’t just turn the Hendersons against them—it’d draw Leonard Peters’ wrath full-on. Leonard wasn’t just the hot new rising star in London; he was tied to one of the city’s most powerful families. Pissing him off would be a complete disaster.

Her shoulders sagged with quiet defeat. She nodded at Joshua, and the same sharp unease coiling in his chest twisted in hers too as they headed for the exit.

When they brushed past Nelson Carlson, he dropped a calm, razor-sharp warning right into their path: “If I catch you anywhere near my sister again, you’ll be lucky to scrape by anywhere in this city.”

With Maxwell Henderson’s connections backing him, Leonard could boot Joshua out of London’s elite circles before the sun even rose tomorrow. Joshua kept his eyes glued to the floor, too humiliated to meet Nelson’s glare, as he and his mother walked out of the ballroom.

Back inside, Haven Peters turned around to find her mother, Sophia Porter, standing poised in a silk Victorian-era evening gown that looked straight out of a royal portrait. Haven went rigid. She had no clue how much of that awkward confrontation her mom had overheard. But Sophia didn’t look ruffled at all—her eyes were still locked on Leonard, like that whole messy run-in with Joshua and his mother hadn’t even happened. Haven let out a shaky breath she didn’t realize she was holding, relief flooding her.

She hurried over to slip her arm through Sophia’s, her voice soft and warm, that gentle tone only her mom ever got to hear. “Mom, why don’t you sit down for a minute? There’s another wave of guests coming later.”

Sophia listened to her daughter’s gentle offer, but her gaze never strayed from Leonard. A faint, almost unreadable smile tugged at her lips, but when she spoke, her voice was ice cold. “This young man is quite something, isn’t he, Haven? Is he a friend of Nelson’s?”

The nearby guests caught her question, and their eyes went wide. Low, curious whispers rippled through the crowd right away.

“Aren’t Haven and Leonard Peters married? Why’s Mrs. Porter acting like she doesn’t even know her own son-in-law?”

“I heard Leonard’s grandfather is pushing him to court all those rich, powerful heiresses. If Haven’s already his wife, wouldn’t Mrs. Porter know him?”

“Did they elope? Get hitched in secret?”

“No way that’s actually happening.”

The whispers were quiet, but Sophia picked up every word. She kept her eyes on Leonard, and it clicked into place—this was definitely the man her daughter had been seeing for five years. What threw her off was why Haven had kept him hidden this whole time. Her husband had sung Leonard’s praises more times than she could count, after all.

Nelson was waiting for Haven to do the introductions, but Leonard beat him to it. His voice was clear, respectful, as he stepped forward and handed Sophia a wrapped gift. “Happy anniversary, Mom. I picked this out just for you.”

That one word—Mom—caught Sophia completely off guard, cracking her calm composure for half a second.

She pulled herself together fast in front of all the watching guests, nodding at Bo Mitchell, who stepped forward to take Leonard’s gift and hold it for her.

All eyes in the ballroom zeroed in on the box when it was opened, and the entire room drew a collective breath. The emerald jewelry set inside was stunning, its deep, rich green glinting bright under the chandeliers, the delicate handiwork stealing everyone’s attention.

“Wow! That emerald set is absolutely breathtaking!”

“It’s nicer than any piece I own—has to be worth at least a million pounds. Mrs. Porter really hit the jackpot with a son-in-law this thoughtful.”

Nelson admired the lavish gift, taking it as solid proof how much Leonard cared for Haven.

Meanwhile, Haven couldn’t hide her shock. Their arrangement of convenience marriage, this over-the-top extravagant gift for her mom—none of it felt real, it was all so much bigger and more formal than she’d ever imagined it would be.

While everyone else gushed and stared in awe, Sophia kept her calm, cool demeanor. She spoke softly to Leonard, just loud enough for him to hear: “Come with me, please.”

Did her mom already know something?

Leonard exchanged a polite, steady glance with Haven before following Mrs. Porter back to her private lounge.

Once the door clicked shut, and they were alone with no outsiders listening, Sophia’s whole demeanor shifted. It went from calm polite to sharp, frosty sternness in a heartbeat.

“Mr. Peters, pardon me for being blunt. You hold such a respected position in this city, yet you’ve been with my daughter for five years and you’ve never once come to see me, her own mother! Can I even ask if you have any respect for my daughter, or for our family at all?”

Tension thickened the air in the small room. Nelson and Haven’s nerves spiked as their mother called Leonard out.

The truth was, Haven and Leonard were practically strangers. They’d barely spoken two words to each other before all this, and now here was her mother calling his whole commitment into question.

Leonard’s absence all these years was definitely a problem. Any parent would feel snubbed, hurt even.

Haven wanted to just melt into the floor out of sheer embarrassment. She even felt guilty for Leonard, even though this chewing out wasn’t entirely his fault.

Then, out of nowhere, Leonard reached for her hand and laced his fingers through hers.

His warm cedar scent wrapped around her, and it calmed her out of nowhere, soothed the jittery panic coiling in her gut.

Haven’s heart skipped a crazy, unexpected beat, shocked by how steady and sure he was being.

What on earth was he doing?

Leonard Peters stood rock solid, his broad frame wrapping Haven Peters in a protective shield. His deep voice rolled through the quiet dressing room, thick with warmth and steady reassurance. "Mom, this isn't Haven's fault. It was my mistake. I care about her deeply, and I respect her completely."

"That's why I wanted to prove myself in the business before I came to meet you. All of this was my call, so don't blame Haven for any of it."

Haven's heart skipped a beat.

How did Leonard stay this calm? His earnest gaze and honest words made his love for her feel so real. She found herself wondering if Leonard's grandfather would ever be half this attentive to her.

Sophia Porter's gaze drifted down to where Leonard and Haven's hands were laced tightly together. Leonard's sincere face, paired with her husband's glowing recommendation of him and that warm, familiar way he'd called her "Mom" softened her reluctance just a little, even if she wasn't ready to fully accept him yet.

Leonard was the kind of man her husband respected, and his willingness to step up and apologize proved how genuine he was.

Glancing at Haven, who stood stiff beside Leonard, worry etched all over her face, Sophia couldn't help but heave a deep sigh.

Her expression softened, though her tone stayed sharp and serious. "Fine. If you two truly care for each other, I won't stand in your way. But Leonard—my daughter is my whole world. She's my princess. I will not let anyone hurt her. If she gets wronged, I don't care who you are, I will make things right for her, no matter what."

Leonard answered politely, his voice warm and steady: "Mom, please, call me Leonard. I'm Haven's husband. I get it if you don't trust me yet, but I don't just say I love you—I show it."

His words struck a chord with Sophia.

As a mother, all she ever wanted was for her daughter to be happy.

Leonard's looks, his charm, his skill, his manners—everything about him was perfect. And side by side, he and Haven looked like they were made for each other.

The lingering irritation Sophia had felt finally melted away, and her face softened noticeably.

Haven could feel the heat of Leonard's hand tangled with hers—unfamiliar, but weirdly comforting. She tried to subtly pull her hand back, but his grip only tightened. Even with her thoughts spinning a million miles a minute, her smile came out genuine and sweet.

Seriously? He was holding on way tighter than he needed to, for a fake couple. Any other girl would be blushing, heart racing right now. But Haven? She'd already had her heart broken once. She wasn't that easy to fluster.

Nelson Carlson caught the subtle shift in his mom's mood. He knew even if she wouldn't say it out loud, she was starting to like Leonard.

He'd pushed Leonard towards Haven because he trusted the guy's character… and also…

Nelson glanced at his watch, a thoughtful look crossing his face, then smiled. "Mom, it's time. Let's head down to the ballroom."

Sophia nodded.

The group walked into the ballroom, where crystal chandeliers poured brilliant golden light over the entire room. Every corner was stuffed with fragrant blooms and elegant, tasteful decorations.

Socialites and big-name industry figures filed in one after another, each bearing gifts, and the whole room hummed with lively, bustling energy.

Haven wore a soft lavender evening gown that clung elegantly to her lithe, graceful figure. Intricate embroidery and glinting crystals shimmered across the fabric like stars scattered across a night sky. Her long hair was swept up into a polished updo, a few loose strands curling softly against her fair neck, adding an extra touch of soft sweetness.

Leonard cut just as striking a figure in a tailored black suit and deep charcoal tie, dashing and effortlessly sophisticated. His tall, commanding presence at Haven's side grabbed everyone's attention the second they walked in, and soft whispers of admiration rippled through the crowd.

"Look, that's the Rivera heiress and the Peters heir, aren't they? Total couple goals, right?" a woman in a silk gown murmured under her breath.

The man standing next to her nodded in full agreement. "You got that right. Ms. Rivera is gorgeous and talented, Mr. Peters is handsome and killing it in business. This match is pure power couple goals."

Haven and Leonard both smiled gracefully, nodding at the guests, oozing old-money elegance.

They stepped up to Sophia, and Haven held out the carefully wrapped gift with a warm smile. "Mom, happy birthday! I hope you stay healthy and happy for years to come."

Every eye locked on the box in Haven's hand. A man in a black suit squinted at it, and his eyes went wide with disbelief.

"If I'm not wrong, that watch Haven's holding is the exclusive meteorite dial piece from world-famous designer Claire—one of only five ever made."

Most of the guests were familiar with high-end collectible watches, and they caught the implication immediately.

"Rumor was Claire kept this one for his own personal collection, he never puts it up for sale. I've always wondered who ended up with it… turns out it's Ms. Rivera."

Sophia was a lifelong watch collector, and it was obvious how thrilled she was with the gift.

Leonard stood beside Haven, his dark eyes full of quiet appreciation.

Sophia gently squeezed Haven's hand and smiled. "Thank you, Haven. I absolutely love it. Leonard, you're staying with us a while this time, right?"

Haven caught it immediately—her mom was already acknowledging Leonard as her son-in-law.

Leonard paused for half a second, then answered politely: "Aunt Sophia, don't you worry. This time, Haven and I are staying a few extra days before we head back to New York. Haven came home mainly just to spend time with you."

Sophia's face broke into a wide, genuine grin. "That's wonderful! In a couple days your father and brothers will be back. It's going to be a proper family reunion."

The atmosphere grew warmer and more comfortable by the minute.

With every eye on them, Leonard led Haven out to the dance floor just as the first notes of the waltz started playing. They moved across the floor gracefully, their steps falling into perfect sync.

Haven tipped her head up slightly, her gaze meeting Leonard's, and whispered, "We're signing the marriage license tomorrow. Am I really going back to New York with you after that?"

Her steps flowed smooth and easy, and Leonard matched her rhythm perfectly, like they'd danced together a hundred times. They moved as one across the floor, and one by one the guests stopped their conversations to watch. By the end, soft applause broke out around the room.

Leonard's dark eyes locked onto hers, and with a quick spin he pulled her tighter, their chests pressing flush together.

He leaned down, his breath warm and tickling against the shell of her ear as he whispered, "That's right. And you're going to meet my grandfather."

Haven's heart tripped over itself. She could feel his heat seeping through the thin fabric of her gown, spreading warm all the way down to her toes. Her cheeks flushed pink, and a tingling tingle ran all the way down her shoulder.

When the dance ended, the evening hit its peak. Haven and Leonard circulated through the guests, exchanging polite small talk.

Haven, with her natural poise and sharp, thoughtful takes, had everyone she talked to hanging on her every word.

Leonard swapped business insights and war stories with industry leaders, and won over every single one of them.

As the night wound down, Haven, Leonard, Sophia, and Nelson headed back to the Rivera family home.

Later, after Haven spent a while catching up with Sophia, she noticed how tired her mom looked and gently urged her to turn in. "Mom, you should get some rest. I won't keep you up any longer."

Outside Sophia's room, Bo Mitchell stepped forward. "Ms. Rivera, Mr. Peters' room is all ready. He's already settled in there for the night."

Haven stopped short, a flicker of hesitation crossing her face as she froze mid-step.

Tonight looked like it might end with Haven and Leonard sharing a room. When her brother stepped up, Haven asked, "Nelson, where's Leonard?"

Nelson moved closer and gave her that knowing look. "He's resting in his room. I've got an early meeting tomorrow. Your stuff's already in your room. Go check it out when you get a chance."

With the housekeeper, Bo Mitchell, standing right there, Haven bit back the question of whether he'd arranged a separate guest room for Leonard. She bid Nelson goodnight and headed for her room, a tangled mix of anxiety and curiosity coiling in her gut—anxious that Leonard was actually waiting for her inside, curious what Nelson had left for her there.

The night sky stretched out like a vast curtain of black velvet, hanging quiet and swallowing all the noise of the day. The moon hung low like a silver lamp, spilling soft glow over everything, turning the whole world soft and dreamlike.

Haven turned the handle of her spacious bedroom door and pushed it open. The room was empty. Leonard was nowhere to be found, and a wave of relief washed over her. After spending all evening at her mother's fancy event, she'd been stiff and on edge the whole time. Finally alone, she slipped out of her evening gown, ready to head for the bathroom.

Suddenly, the door slammed open. Haven's bare skin was right there in front of Leonard—her pale skin, her soft, graceful curves froze him in place. His throat went tight on instinct, his gaze darkening with a sudden, sharp hunger he couldn't hide. He couldn't look away if he tried.

Startled by the sound of the door, Haven spun around. Her eyes blew wide with shock, and a sharp little yelp slipped out. Flustered, she fumbled to cover herself, her whole face flaming bright red with embarrassment.

Leonard shook himself out of his daze fast, spinning around to face the wall. His voice came out low and rough, "Sorry."

Haven was already bright red, too flustered to get a single word out. She darted straight into the bathroom, her whole body burning with mortification. The slam of the bathroom door echoed in time with Leonard's hammering heartbeat, the image of her bare skin burned straight into his brain.

Locked inside, Haven paced back and forth, still mortified, muttering to herself under her breath. "Why right now? Seriously, of all the damn times. This is so embarrassing. How am I even supposed to look at him again after this?"

Thinking back to that split second, she wanted to just curl up and vanish off the face of the earth. Finally, after half an hour of talking herself down, she scraped together enough courage to pull the door open.

The door creaked softy as she stepped out, letting the warm, scented steam drift out into the bedroom. Leonard, who'd been scrolling through photos on his laptop, looked up on instinct. His gaze lingered on her for a beat too long before he looked away.

Haven came out wrapped in a crisp white towel, moving through the lingering steam. Her hair was still damp, little strands sticking to her rosy cheeks. Water droplets glistened as they trickled down her neck, disappearing under the edge of her towel.

Leonard's breathing went thick and heavy. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard, his throat inexplicably dry. He tried to look away, but the scent of her body wash mixed with her own natural soft smell flooded his senses, drowning out everything else.

Clenching the edge of the desk to keep his composure, he said, almost absently, "You were such a cute kid."

Haven could still feel his earlier gaze burning into her skin, and she blushed even harder, her fingers tapping nervously against her side. "Thanks."

Silence settled over the room, thick and heavy. Only the sound of their breathing cut through the quiet. Haven bit her lip and worked up the nerve to break it. "Why'd you come into my room all of a sudden?"

Leonard drew a breath, his deep dark eyes meeting hers, a flicker of vulnerability in his gaze. "Where else am I supposed to go? Can't let mom think this fake marriage is just for show, can we?"

Haven dropped her gaze, knowing he was right. A married couple sleeping in separate rooms didn't make any sense—it would only raise questions.

Seeing how uneasy she was at the thought of sharing a room with him, Leonard offered a compromise. "To keep people from asking stupid questions, let's just play along for a few days. We can hit the registry office first thing tomorrow morning. Tonight, I'll crash on the couch."

Haven glanced at the tiny sofa—it barely looked big enough for him to stretch out on, and she found herself shaking her head. Leonard wasn't the type to suffer through discomfort for no reason. "My bed's big enough for both of us. You should sleep here."

Her bluntness caught Leonard totally off guard. Amused, his voice dropped an octave, deep and warm. "Sure. But can I borrow the bathroom for a minute?"

"Of course." Haven nodded and turned to her desk, booting up her computer as Leonard headed into the bathroom.

Haven logged into her email to sort out a few urgent messages. No sooner had she connected than a voice call popped up on screen. She answered it, and a surprised, excited voice greeted her. "Wow, you're finally online! I heard the client's pulling that project from Joshua and giving it to a new designer—you, right? Is that true?"

Haven's gaze sharpened. Calm, steady, a sharp contrast to the caller's excitement, she replied, "Yeah. I'm just taking back what's mine. No point letting Joshua West profit off my work anymore. I'll be in London next week, we can hash out the details then."

The voice on the other end got even more excited, "That's fucking amazing! One week, see you in London!"

After hanging up, Haven's fingers flew across the keyboard, knocking out her to-do list. When she finished, she stretched and yawned, feeling her tired muscles finally relax. That's when Leonard stepped out of the bathroom.