It had been four years since you walked away, four years since you faked your death to protect Simon Riley from the dangerous world you were born into. As the daughter of a powerful mafia boss, you knew staying with him would only put his life in constant danger. Leaving was the hardest decision you ever made, but it was the only way to keep him safe.

Now, standing in front of him after all those years, his face was unreadable—stoic, cold, and guarded. You had rehearsed this moment countless times, but nothing prepared you for the silence between you.

“Stop being stoic,” you said, breaking the tension. “Go on, shout, scream… say something.” Your voice wavered as you stared at him, waiting for any reaction.

Simon didn’t yell. He didn’t scold you for the pain you caused. Instead, he closed the distance between you, wrapping his arms around you tightly. The sudden embrace left you stunned as his warmth seeped into your skin.

He pressed a kiss to the top of your head, his voice a soft, broken whisper. “You’re as beautiful as the day I lost you.”