Three days had passed since Emmett's unexpected visit and Elias's manipulative scheme.
In those three days, Brooklyn had felt everything — rage, relief, fear… and something she still didn't know how to name whenever Damien looked at her like she was the only thing that mattered.
But now, the tension was unbearable.
Between the press, Elias's threats, and Brooklyn's own spiraling thoughts, she barely recognized herself. Every night, she laid in bed beside Damien, wondering if peace was something they'd ever truly have.
And then, without warning, Damien handed her a white envelope at breakfast.
"What's this?" she asked, blinking sleepily.
"Your instructions for today."
Brooklyn raised an eyebrow, opening the envelope.
Inside was a handwritten note.
> Pack light. Dress comfortably. No phones. I'm stealing you for the weekend.
—D
She stared at the note, heart skipping.
"You're kidnapping me?" she teased.
"Only temporarily," he said with a rare smile. "You deserve a break from the chaos."
She stared at him for a beat, then folded the note and whispered, "Thank you."
---
Later – Private Jet
Brooklyn stepped onto the jet and instantly felt her stress start to melt.
It was luxurious, of course — cream leather seats, champagne waiting, Damien's jacket draped neatly over one armrest. But it wasn't the wealth that soothed her.
It was the intent.
He didn't have to do this.
He just wanted to.
Damien joined her on the plane, sunglasses on, phone turned off. The moment the doors closed and they took off, Brooklyn let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
"Where are we going?" she asked, sipping champagne.
"You'll see," he said with a mysterious smile.
The window showed nothing but sky.
For the first time in weeks, the world couldn't touch them.
---
Arrival – Amalfi Coast, Italy
By the time they landed, the sun was golden and low on the horizon.
Brooklyn gasped as they drove through winding cliffs, the ocean glittering beneath them.
"Wait… we're in Italy?"
"Just for the weekend," Damien said smoothly. "One of the villas I rarely use."
Brooklyn leaned toward the window as their car pulled up to a private estate perched above the sea. The villa looked like something out of a movie — white stone walls, olive trees swaying in the breeze, a long infinity pool reflecting the pink sky.
She stepped out slowly, taking it all in.
"It's beautiful," she breathed.
"You haven't even seen the view from the bedroom," he teased.
She flushed slightly but followed him inside.
---
Evening – Poolside
Hours later, Brooklyn stepped outside in a sleek black swimsuit and sheer wrap.
The pool was lit from beneath, casting ripples of light on the surrounding marble.
Damien was already in the water, his toned body half-submerged, hair damp, watching her like she was the only thing worth seeing in the world.
"Coming in?" he asked.
Brooklyn laughed softly. "I don't usually swim with billionaires."
"I don't usually swim with goddesses," he replied.
She blushed but stepped into the warm water.
The second her body hit the surface, all the noise of the world disappeared. The only sounds were the distant crash of waves and the water lapping against their skin.
They swam toward each other instinctively.
And when their hands touched under the surface, it felt electric.
"You look different here," he murmured.
"Different how?"
"Lighter. Like you finally let the world go."
Brooklyn looked up at the stars.
"Maybe I did."
They floated there in silence for a moment.
Then Damien leaned in.
This kiss was deeper.
Hotter.
It was a question.
And Brooklyn's answer was her arms sliding around his neck.
---
Later – The Bedroom
The villa's master suite was made of dreams — soft gold lighting, white linen sheets, glass doors that opened straight to the sea.
Brooklyn sat on the edge of the bed, hair still damp, wrapped in one of Damien's oversized shirts.
He emerged from the bathroom shirtless, towel around his neck, and paused when he saw her.
"What?" she asked, laughing nervously.
"You're in my space," he said softly.
"You brought me here."
"I didn't mean the villa."
Brooklyn's smile faded as she realized what he meant.
You're in my heart.
He sat beside her, reached for her hand.
"I know we didn't plan this," he said. "I know we started with a lie. But this—us—it feels more real than anything I've ever had."
Brooklyn's voice cracked. "Me too."
"I can't promise perfection," he whispered. "But I'll fight for you. For us."
She swallowed, heart pounding. "Then I'll stop running."
They leaned in at the same time.
And this kiss?
It wasn't the kiss of a billionaire and his contract bride.
It was the kiss of two souls finally meeting in the same place.
---
Morning – Trouble Awakens
They woke tangled in sheets, sea breeze wafting through the open doors.
Brooklyn felt warm, safe, and whole.
But when Damien checked his phone hours later — just once, despite the rules — his entire face changed.
"What is it?" she asked, suddenly alert.
He turned the screen toward her.
A headline blinked on the screen:
> "BREAKING: Brooklyn Carter's Ex Posts 'Exclusive Tell-All' Interview — Says Baby Might Not Be Hers."
Brooklyn's blood ran cold.
"What?"
Another article followed.
> "Brooklyn James Lied About Her Pregnancy — Ex Claims She 'Stole Someone Else's Baby' to Secure Billionaire Marriage."
Damien cursed under his breath.
Brooklyn's phone started vibrating nonstop, even though she had it on silent.
Texts. Calls. Mentions.
She couldn't breathe.
"Why is he doing this?" she whispered. "What kind of sick—"
Damien was already dialing Vivienne.
"Pull the footage from the clinic," he snapped. "Every security camera. Every appointment record. I want a full counterstrike. Now."
Brooklyn stared at the sea outside.
It had looked so peaceful just minutes ago.
But now, the waves were crashing.
---
Back in LA – Elias Watches
Elias sat in a darkened room, watching the media frenzy unfold.
Emmett's story was live on every gossip site.
And the narrative was spinning beautifully out of control.
"She'll crack," Elias whispered.
But even he wasn't prepared for the final scene.
Because hours later, another headline stole the show:
> "Carter Enterprises Files Lawsuit Against Emmett Reese — 'Defamation, Emotional Abuse, and Malicious Endangerment.'"
A photo accompanied it: Damien standing beside Brooklyn, hand on her belly protectively, both of them in matching black.
And below that:
"Brooklyn Carter Responds: 'I Won't Let My Child Be a Pawn.'"
Elias clenched his jaw.
So they weren't going down quietly.