The last customer had just left.
Silence settled into the café, warm and familiar, wrapping around Amara like a quiet reward after a long day. She wiped down the counter slowly, her shoulders aching, exhaustion finally catching up to her.
Another day done.
Another day survived.
"The café's closed," she called automatically as the doorbell chimed. "Sorry, we're—"
"Are you sure you can't make an exception?"
The voice stopped her.
Smooth. Familiar.
Amara looked up—and instantly broke into a smile.
"Lucas!"
Before she could stop herself, she rushed around the counter and pulled him into a hug. "When did you get back?"
"Today," he said, laughing softly. "And clearly, I came to the right place."
She pulled back, studying him. "You didn't even warn me."
"Where's the fun in that?"
For a moment, everything felt normal again.
Safe.
"I missed you," she admitted.
Lucas' expression softened slightly. "I know."
They moved back behind the counter, falling into an easy rhythm—but his eyes stayed on her, observant.
"So," he said casually, "what did I miss?"
Amara hesitated.
Then exhaled.
"Too much."
She told him everything.
Sebastian. The encounter. The way he spoke. The way he looked at her like he had already decided something.
Lucas didn't interrupt.
But the more she spoke, the more his expression changed—subtle, but there.
More serious.
More guarded.
"No one's ever gotten under your skin like this before," he said quietly.
Amara forced a small laugh. "It's nothing."
Lucas tilted his head slightly. "You sure about that?"
She looked away.
"…No."
Silence stretched between them.
Then—
Her phone buzzed.
Sharp.
Sudden.
Amara froze.
Unknown number.
A cold feeling slid down her spine as she opened the message.
Interesting café you have, Ms. Sterling.
It would be a shame if something happened to it.
I know where you are.
Watch your back.
Her breath hitched.
The warmth of the café disappeared instantly.
"Amara?" Lucas' voice sharpened. "What is it?"
She turned the screen toward him, her fingers unsteady.
His expression hardened.
"That's not a joke," he said quietly.
"I know," she whispered.
For the first time that night—
She felt afraid.
Lucas straightened, his tone shifting completely. "We're leaving."
"I can lock up—"
"I'll wait."
There was no argument in his voice.
And for once, she didn't argue.
Minutes later, they stepped outside.
The night air hit her immediately—cool, quiet… wrong.
The street felt emptier than usual.
Too still.
They had barely taken a few steps when Amara slowed.
Her instincts screamed before her mind caught up.
Then she saw him.
Sebastian Vale.
Leaning against a sleek black car like he had been there long enough to own the night itself.
Watching.
Waiting.
Her heart stuttered.
Lucas followed her gaze, his posture shifting instantly. "You know him?"
"…I wish I didn't."
Sebastian straightened.
Then walked toward them.
Unhurried.
Certain.
Like he already knew how this would go.
He stopped just close enough to invade space—but not touch.
"Amara."
Her name sounded different coming from him.
Lower.
Possessive.
"Sebastian," she replied, steady—but only just.
His gaze flicked to Lucas.
Measured.
Assessing.
Dismissive.
"I see you're not alone."
Lucas stepped slightly closer to Amara.
"And you are?"
"Sebastian Vale."
Recognition flashed across Lucas' face—but he didn't step back.
"Lucas."
Their handshake was brief.
Firm.
A silent challenge passed between them.
Amara cut in quickly. "What do you want?"
Sebastian's attention returned to her fully.
"You."
Lucas went still.
"That's not an answer," Amara snapped.
"It's the only one that matters."
Her pulse spiked. "You don't even know me."
"I know enough."
"And what is that?"
He stepped closer.
Too close.
"That you're about to lose everything," he said quietly.
Her breath caught.
Lucas stiffened beside her. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Sebastian didn't even look at him.
"Your café," he continued, eyes locked on Amara. "It won't survive what's coming."
A chill ran through her.
"…What are you talking about?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"Didn't you notice?" he murmured. "Things slipping. Doors closing."
Her stomach dropped.
Because she had.
And suddenly—
This didn't feel like coincidence anymore.
"You—" her voice faltered. "You did this."
A pause.
Not denial.
Not confirmation.
Just silence.
And somehow, that was worse.
Lucas stepped forward slightly. "If you're threatening her—"
"I don't make threats," Sebastian said calmly.
His gaze never left Amara.
"I make decisions."
Her heart pounded.
"What do you want?" she asked again, softer now.
This time—
He didn't hesitate.
"Marry me."
The word hit like a shockwave.
Lucas blinked. "I'm sorry—what?"
Amara stared at him. "You can't be serious."
"I am."
"Why?" she demanded.
His expression didn't change.
"Because I want you," he said simply. "And because you need me."
"I don't need anything from you."
"Don't you?"
He stepped even closer.
Close enough that she could feel the heat of him.
"Your business is already falling apart," he murmured. "And it's only going to get worse."
Her chest tightened.
"You're lying."
"Am I?"
Silence.
Heavy.
Crushing.
"Marry me," he said again, softer now.
"And I make it all disappear."
Lucas let out a sharp breath. "Yeah, no. That's not happening."
Sebastian finally looked at him.
Cold.
Unimpressed.
"This doesn't concern you."
"It concerns her," Lucas shot back.
"And she'll make the right decision."
His eyes returned to Amara.
Certain.
Unshakable.
"Because you're not reckless," he added quietly. "You're smart."
Her thoughts spun.
Her café.
That message.
The way everything suddenly felt like it was slipping—
"If I say no?" she whispered.
A pause.
Then—
"Then you lose everything."
No emotion.
No hesitation.
Just truth.
Her heart slammed painfully against her ribs.
Because the worst part?
She believed him.
Sebastian stepped back slightly, adjusting his cuff like the conversation was already over.
"I'll give you time," he said.
His gaze lingered on her.
Intent.
Knowing.
"But not too much."
He turned.
Walked away.
Just like that.
Leaving silence behind.
Heavy.
Unstable.
Lucas exhaled sharply. "Yeah… no.
Absolutely not."
Amara didn't answer.
She couldn't.
Because for the first time—
It didn't feel like a choice.
And that terrified her.