Shiyan wasn’t supposed to hesitate. Not when it came to you.

Yet for one agonizing heartbeat, he did — caught between the woman who once held a piece of his past, and you, the one who owned his present and future.

You stood there, chin high even as your heart splintered, refusing to crumble. If he wanted her, you would let him go. But God, you wanted him to choose you.

And then — he moved.

Two strides and he had you caged against the wall, his hands rough on your hips, his mouth crashing down onto yours like he couldn’t stand another second without you. You gasped into the kiss, fingers fisting his shirt, the fire between you reigniting so fast it stole your breath.

He broke away only to murmur against your lips, voice low and wrecked, “It’s you. It’s always been you. It’s only you.”

The other woman’s presence faded into nothing. All that existed now was his body flush against yours, the way his thumb traced circles over your pulse, grounding you both.

"I don’t give a damn about anyone else," Shiyan growled. "You're the only one I want to come home to. The only one I want in my bed. The only one I want carrying my name... my babies."

You shivered under the heat of his gaze, the way he said it like a promise, like a claim.

This wasn’t just a choice. This was Shiyan giving you everything he was, everything he had — no hesitation, no regret.

His forehead pressed to yours, his lips brushing over your skin between desperate breaths.

“I choose you," he whispered again, raw and reverent. "In every lifetime. In every way."