When Contracts Turn to Forbidden Kisses Chapter 168

Amelia

I hurried through the hospital's sliding doors, my heart pounding against my ribcage like it was trying to escape. The curious stares from the nursing staff had morphed into something different—something like admiration or maybe even envy. A few of them smiled knowingly as I passed.

"Go get him, Dr. Thompson!" one of the younger nurses called out, giving me a thumbs up.

I couldn't help but smile. Just hours ago, these same people had witnessed me weathering a social media storm. Now they were cheering me on. It was amazing how quickly things could change—how Ethan had changed them with just one interview.

The taxi ride to Wall Street felt excruciatingly slow. Every red light was a personal affront, every slow driver an obstacle in my path to Ethan. I fidgeted with my phone, replaying the video Rachel had shown me.

When the taxi finally pulled up in front of the towering Black Investment Group headquarters, I took a deep breath.

The glass and steel skyscraper reflected the blazing midday sun, shining like Ethan’s ambition made flesh. I paid the driver and stepped onto the sidewalk, suddenly realizing I was completely unprepared. This was probably my first time here, and I didn’t exactly look like the kind of person who belonged in this building.

We had built a life together, but his world of corporate power was still foreign territory to me.

“Whatever,” I muttered to myself, pushing through the revolving doors into the marble-floored lobby.

The reception area was bustling with suited professionals, their hushed conversations creating a steady hum of productivity. I approached the sleek reception desk where a perfectly coiffed woman sat behind a computer.

"I'm here to see Ethan Black," I announced, trying to project confidence despite the nervous flutter in my stomach.

"Do you have an appointment?" she asked, her eyes flickering briefly to my face before returning to her screen.

"No, I don't," I admitted.

She opened her mouth, likely to ask me to wait, but I leaned in and said firmly, "Tell him there's a woman here to 'take Mr. Black away.'"'

Her eyebrows shot up, but she dialed the number. "Hello, Mr. Davis? This is Sarah at reception. There's a lady here who says she's come to... take Mr. Black away."

Within minutes, the atmosphere in the lobby shifted. People began to whisper, and heads turned toward the executive elevator. I followed their gaze and saw the doors slide open. My breath caught in my throat.

Ethan stepped out, tall and commanding in a perfectly tailored navy suit. His eyes scanned the lobby until they found mine. The moment our gazes locked, everything else faded away—the murmuring crowd, the clicking keyboards, the ringing phones—all of it disappeared.

He strode toward me with purpose, his face serious but his eyes burning with an intensity that made my knees weak. I took a step forward, and then another, meeting him halfway.

Without a word, Ethan pulled me into his arms and captured my lips in a kiss that spoke volumes. I melted against him, my arms wrapping around his neck as I returned his kiss with equal fervor. Someone whistled, and I heard scattered applause, but I couldn't bring myself to care.

When we finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, Ethan cupped my face in his hands. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice husky.

I smiled up at him. "I came to show you my heart," I said simply. "The real one."

His answering smile was brilliant. "Come with me," he said, taking my hand and leading me toward the elevator. Before stepping inside, he turned to Michael, who had appeared beside us. "Cancel everything for the rest of the day. And no one—I mean no one—comes to my office. Understood?"

Michael nodded, his usually stoic face betraying a hint of a smile. "Perfectly, sir."

The elevator doors closed, sealing us in a private bubble. Ethan immediately pulled me close again, his lips finding mine with unerring accuracy. We stayed locked together until the elevator chimed, announcing our arrival at the executive floor.

Ethan led me down a corridor to a set of double doors, which he opened to reveal a sprawling office with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Manhattan. The view was breathtaking, but I couldn't take my eyes off him as he locked the door behind us.

"I wasn't expecting you," he said, his voice soft as he guided me toward the windows. "But I've never been happier to be interrupted."

The afternoon sun streamed through the glass, bathing us in golden light. I turned to face him, ready to pour my heart out, when Ethan suddenly dropped to one knee.

My hand flew to my mouth. "Ethan..."

"Amelia Thompson," he began, his voice steady despite the vulnerability in his eyes. "Today, I'm asking you with nothing but my heart." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. "Will you marry me? Not for three months, not for convenience, but forever?"

Tears blurred my vision as he opened the box to reveal a stunning diamond ring, far more beautiful than the one he'd given me before. This wasn't for show—this was real.

"Yes," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I want to be your wife. Your real wife."

Ethan slid the ring onto my finger, then stood and pulled me into his arms. "Mrs. Black," he murmured against my lips. "My Mrs. Black."

I laughed through my tears. "That has a nice ring to it."

He kissed me again, deeply and thoroughly, before pulling back with a thoughtful expression. "Wait here," he said, crossing to his desk. He returned with another small box. "I had this made for myself. I want everyone to know I'm yours, too."

Inside was a matching band, simple but elegant. I took it out with trembling fingers and slid it onto his left hand. I noticed the tiny engraving inside—the letter 'A'.

"Yours has an 'E'," he said, running his thumb over my ring.

I looked up at him, overwhelmed by the moment. "Ethan, let's do it again. Let's get married—not because of a contract or an arrangement, but because this is for life."

His eyes grew suspiciously bright. "For life," he agreed, his voice thick with emotion.

We sealed our promise with another kiss, this one tender and full of promise. When we finally broke apart, Ethan's eyes had darkened with desire.

"Mrs. Black," he whispered in my ear, sending shivers down my spine, "I think we need to celebrate."

He took my hand and led me toward a door at the back of his office. It opened to reveal a small private suite, complete with a comfortable-looking couch and what appeared to be a bedroom beyond.

"For late nights at the office," Ethan explained, seeing my raised eyebrow. "Though I've never used it for anything like what I have in mind right now."

I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in years. "Then I guess we're christening it properly."

As Ethan pulled me into his arms once more, I knew with absolute certainty that this—this man, this love, this life we were building together—was exactly where I was meant to be. No contracts, no conditions, just two hearts finally beating as one.