“Before the engagement is announced.”
Silence followed.
Then he nodded once.
“Done.”
I stood.
“As soon as the paperwork is finalized, I’ll meet Julian.”
---
The city outside the tower was slick with rain, neon bleeding into puddles like bruised light.
Ethan was waiting by the car, umbrella already in hand, posture immaculate as ever.
“Long meeting?” he asked.
“It’s settled.”
He opened the door without another word. The interior smelled faintly of leather and clean citrus — the scent of order.
I watched the city slide past the tinted windows.
“You didn’t ask,” I said.
“About what?”
“Why I agreed.”
He paused. “You don’t owe me an explanation.”
I smiled faintly. “That’s new.”
His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
“I just assumed you had your reasons,” he said.
“I do.”
He waited.
I didn’t elaborate.
Traffic slowed at a red light. For a moment, his reflection overlapped mine in the glass — two people occupying the same space without truly sharing it.
“You’re walking into something unstable,” he said at last. “The Grant family doesn’t relinquish control easily.”
“I’m not asking them to relinquish it.”
“You’re asking them to trust you.”
I laughed softly. “No. I’m asking them to underestimate me.”