Chapter 81

Summer's POV**

Brandon's lips moved against mine with a gentleness that contradicted everything I knew about him. My hands trembled as they found their way to his shoulders, uncertain at first, then growing bolder as he deepened the

When we finally pulled apart. I was breathless, clinging to his neck as my forehead rested against his. My heart hammered against my ribs.

I-sank into his embrace, my hands pressed against him ear a ars heart. The steady rhythm grounded me when everything else felt like

spinning out of comrol.

"You're bleeding," I murmured, noticing the small cut at the corner of his

captured my hand when I reached to touch it. "It's nothing."

en't you asdeg me what happened?

The comer of his mow.h lifte d in that dange rouhalf-smile. You'll tell me

when you're ready.

His thumb traced my cheek, his expression darkening slightly. "They hit you."

My body tensed as the scene at the hospital flashed through my mind-Elizabeth's rage, her handprint still burning on my skin. Brandon leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on my reddened cheek. "You don't have to carry everything alone," he said quietly. "You're not alone anymore. You have me." I lcoked up at him: "Can we go now? I'm exhausted." "Of course. Let's go home."

*Home.* The word hit me harder than I expected.

"Get some sleep when we get back," he continued. "Whatever happened,we can deal with it tomorrow."

"I don't think I can sleep," I admitted. "I'd rather just talk. That okay?"

Brandon's expression softened. "Of course."

As we drove toward the Hamptons, I found myself watching Brandon's profile.

"They found out Grandpa George transferred his Capital Corp shares to me," I finally said. "They think I manipulated him into it. That's why he had the stroke- they confronted him."

Brandon nodded slightly. "That was expected. Your father won't be in control as long as George is alive. Him wanting those shares is natural."His voice was calm. "What happened next?"

"Grandpa's in the ICU." My voice cracked. "They don't know if he'll wake up tomorrow. And now that they know about theshares,they won't leave me alone."

I stared out at the passing streetlights. "I always thought if I just kept giving in, things would never reach a breaking point. But today I realized it doesn't matter how much I give up - they'll never be satisfied."

Brandon reached over, his hand covering mine. The warmth of his touch anchored me. "What do you want to do?" he asked simply.The question caught me off guard. No one in my family had ever asked what *I* wanted.I took a deep breath. already prepare the exchange agreement?"

Brandon handed me the document. "It's for you, but it's not an exchange agreement."

I frowned. "Then what is it?"

"Remember at dinner when I said I had something for you? Seems we had similar ideas."

Confused, I opened the folder and scanned the first page-a transfer of 20% ownership in Stark Entertainment Group, directly to me.

"Brandon, what is this?"

"We've been married for a while now, and I never gave you a proper wedding gift." He spoke casually. "Consider this your bride price."

"But this is..." I stared at the document. "This is way too much. I don't need all this."

"Nothing is too valuable compared to you." The intensity in his voice made me look up. "Your grandfather was right - money may be external,but that doesn't mean it's not necessary. You married me, and I won't have you at a disadvantage."

"But what about Grandpa's shares-” "James will draft another agreement tomorrow," he cut in smoothly."What your grandfather gave you was his gesture of love, What I'm giving you is mine."

"Brandon," I said softly, "why are you so good to me?" His answer was immediate: "Because you deserve it." The words hit me hard. All my life, I'd been told I didn't deserve things-

not my family's love, not Alexander's loyalty, not even basic respect.

I circled the desk and wrapped my arms around him. He stiffened momentarily before his arms came around me,holding me close.

"Brandon," I murmured, "since you're being so good to me, you have to stay that way forever. No changing your mind." The childish demand made me blush. "My heart isn't very big. It's already been broken once. If you ever betray me, I don't think I could forgive you."

His arms tightened. "I won't. Not in this lifetime."

For a long moment, we just stood there. Then, slowly, he loosened his grip.putting just enough distance between us to lift my chin.

"Are you sure?" The question was loaded with meaning, his dark eyes searching mine.

I knew exactly what he was asking.

"I'm sure," I said, holding his gaze. "We're husband and wife, aren't we?"

"We are." His voice dropped lower. "June, do you understand what you're saying? Once we start this, there's no going back. I won't let you change your mind."

The possessiveness in his tone should have frightened me. Instead, it made something warm unfurl in my chest.

My answer was to rise on my tiptoes and press my lips to his.