Ray's POV
She hadn't said much all day. And Sky was never quiet—at least not with me. I knew something was off when her voice didn't rise with that soft edge of worry. When she didn't remind me to drink water or sleep early or fix my tie even though I already had.
She sat across from me now, eyes downcast, hands in her lap. Her voice, when it came, was small—too small for her.
"Are you only dating me because of the merger?"
Silence.
I blinked. My spine went stiff.
"Sky."
She didn't look up. "It's okay if you are. I just want to know the truth."
"No." I leaned forward. "God, no. Sky, look at me."
She hesitated, then met my eyes—and something about the way she looked like she already knew the answer made my chest tighten.
"I'd burn the whole merger down if it meant keeping you."
She flinched.
I went on, softer this time. "I didn't fall for you because our fathers struck a deal. I fell for you when you brought me coffee you didn't even like drinking. When you knocked on my door at midnight just because you 'felt weird.' When you started rambling about your day and somehow made the world quieter in the process."
Her throat bobbed. "Then why do I still feel like I'm just… convenient?"
"Because your dad made you believe love had conditions. But I'm not him." I stood, walking over, gently lifting her chin. "I'm not using you. I love you."
She blinked fast, like she was trying not to cry. "You never said that before."
"I know," I whispered. "I was scared it would mess things up."
"It did."
I nodded. "Then let me fix it."