Sophia Sullivan looked up at him.
Ethan Sullivan's gaze was steady.
"I understand people like us don't approach others without reason. You investigate cases. I seek peace of mind."
His eyes were transparent.
"Besides, I'm no saint."
Ethan navigated both sides of the law with ruthless precision.
He just never let Sophia see it.
Threats. Interrogations. Killings.
He left those tasks to his subordinates.
For a while, the scent of blood clung stubbornly to him.
Who had cleaner hands? Neither of them.
"No lies this time. Only truth."
Ethan stepped forward.
His gaze left no room for escape.
"Saving you when I rose from that wheelchair was instinct. Surviving Sicily was a choice I'd make again. Shielding you from that explosion—all I remember is fear."
"Instinct made me flee. Willingness made me fall."
"—And fear made me realize it's more than liking. It's love, or whatever you call it. I can't lose you."
Ethan lowered his lashes.
Shadows fell across his face.
He knelt on one knee, meeting Sophia at eye level.
"Miss Sullivan, you matter to me."
Sophia froze.
His eyes were bottomless pools.
She retreated until her back hit the gondola wall.
Their breaths tangled.
"Mr. Sullivan, maybe you're just obsessed with—"
Ethan cut her off.
"If it were just physical, I could've replaced you during our distance."
They'd started with one night.
Every intimacy since felt like surrender.
Sophia believed it meant nothing.
Just adult games.
But Ethan knew better.
"My father's infidelity and mother's death made me despise women and scorn love. Then you rewrote every rule."
He took her hand.
Cedarwood enveloped her.
"It's not flesh I crave, but souls aligning. That's why I lose control. Why it has to be you."
Wind rattled the windows.
Night pressed close.
Their shadows merged on the wall like an embrace.
Darkness bred intimacy.
"I told you you're worth it. Because you're loved, everything becomes worth it."
Sophia lifted her gaze.
Cold light outlined Ethan's profile.
Time stilled.
Her pulse raced.
Their softened silhouettes intertwined.
The Ferris wheel climbed steadily.
Light pierced the haze, spilling into the gondola.
Ethan's warm palm covered hers.
Fingers laced.
Sophia tilted her head up.
His eyes were fathomless.
He pressed her hand to his heart.
"They say wishes at the Ferris wheel's peak come true."
Bells chimed.
They reached the summit.
Lightning split the sky.
Illuminating their locked gazes.
Ethan's voice was rough.
Half his face dipped in shadow.
He stared at Sophia.
"Miss Sullivan."
Breaths mingled.
"No matter the obstacles ahead, I'll walk every step with you. This vow is eternal."
Air crystallized.
They saw themselves reflected in each other's eyes.
Sophia's fingers trembled.
Too close.
Nowhere to retreat.
His grip on her wrist burned.
Her heart skipped.
"I know. But Ethan, I won't belong to anyone."
"Miss Sullivan, you belong to no one but yourself."
Ethan tightened his hold.
"I'll always belong to you."