Prologue
“I love you, Leia,” he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. “More than anything.”
Leia smiled, her fingers brushing lightly against his chest. “And I love you, Jake. Always.”
As he released one of her hands, took a step back from her, and reached into his pocket. Tears welled in Leia’s eyes. Slowly, he sank to one knee, the city lights reflecting in the diamond ring he now held up to her.
“Leia,” he said, his voice trembling slightly, “you are my everything. My best friend, my partner, my heart. I want to spend the rest of my life making you as happy as you’ve made me. Will you marry me?”
The world seemed to pause as Leia stared down at him, her vision blurred by tears.
She couldn’t speak, her emotions caught in her throat. But then she nodded, her smile breaking through as she whispered, “Yes. Yes, Jake, a million times yes.”
Jake’s face lit up with joy as he slipped the ring onto her finger. The room erupted into applause, the music swelling as he stood and pulled her into his arms. Jake stood and pulled her gently into his arms, his relief and joy palpable. He cupped her face with both hands, his thumbs brushing away her tears. “I love you,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
Then, with a tenderness that took her breath away, he leaned in and kissed her. It was slow, deliberate, and filled with every ounce of love he had for her. The world around them seemed to melt away, leaving only the two of them in that perfect moment. His lips moved softly against hers, a dance of unspoken promises and unending devotion.
Leia’s hands found their way to his chest, clutching his shirt as if grounding herself in the overwhelming rush of emotions. She kissed him back with equal fervor, pouring her heart into the connection. It was a kiss that spoke of their past, their present, and the beautiful future that awaited them.
When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads rested together, their breaths mingling as they gazed at each other with tear-filled eyes. Jake smiled, his hands still cradling her face. “I’ll spend the rest of my life making you happy, Leia. That’s a promise.”
She nodded, her heart so full it felt as though it might burst. “You already do, Jake. Every single day.”
In that moment, surrounded by the city’s brilliance and the warmth of their love, Leia felt a sense of completeness she had never known before. This was her forever, and it was more beautiful than she had ever imagined.
“Tell me more,” she said smoothly, her tone laced with quiet authority.
The blonde worker who had spoken earlier stepped forward again. “He’s been coming here for about four years,” she said matter-of-factly, as if reciting a routine fact. “Twice a month, like clockwork.”
Leia’s stomach churned. Four years? That was nearly their entire relationship.
Another worker, a brunette with sharp eyes, added, “He usually stays for 48 hours straight. Doesn’t leave until he’s had his fill.”
The bouncer nodded. “And he spends a lot. Enough to keep the VIP rooms happy.”
Leia felt her heart drop further with every word. She thought she knew him—kind, grounded, and loving—was unrecognizable in this context. “No,” she whispered to herself, shaking her head as if to dispel the words.
The lady turned back to her, tilting her head curiously. “Now that you know, I’ll ask again. What do you plan to do with this information?”
Leia blinked and looked at the lady; she answered, “I don’t know.”
