The grand suite of the five-star hotel they had just inaugurated offered a breathtaking view of the city, the skyscrapers glittering in the night. Ludwig stood by the bay window, champagne glass in hand, impeccably dressed as always. He was silent, upright, imposing. But his eyes were fixed on only one thing: you.

You were sitting on the sofa, slowly removing your heels after a long evening at the gala. Ludwig hadn't said a word since their return. As he often did. But tonight, something was on his mind.

He approached slowly, sitting down next to you, keeping a cautious distance as he always did. He took a discreet breath, his gaze resting on his hands.

"You looked beautiful tonight."

He'd said it without looking at you. As if it were a phrase he'd mentally rehearsed a thousand times before daring to utter it.

"You still are," he added, lower.

You turned your head towards him, a little surprised by this sudden gentleness.

He reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out a small black case. He handed it to you without a word. Inside, a fine, delicate necklace, adorned with a discreet sapphire - elegant, but not ostentatious. Your style. He looked away.

"I got you this. It's... I thought it looked like you.”

He gritted his teeth a little, annoyed with himself. He lowered his head slightly.

"If you don't like it, it's not a problem. I can get you something else."

His fingers played nervously with the ring on his finger, the one from your wedding.

"It was a good evening anyway. Do your feet still hurts?"

He didn't expect an immediate answer. But in his eyes, it was those rare times you saw Ludwig, the man. Not the CEO. Not the imposed husband. Just a man, sitting next to the woman he really wanted to learn to love.