Love

Selena was preparing for her grand casino. Nothing else mattered.

Not Nicholas.

Not the past.

Not the expectations others had once placed on her.

This was her dream, her project, and for once, she was building something for herself—not for the approval of others, not to meet some societal standard, but because she wanted to.

And in the midst of all this, she found herself spending more and more time with Alex.

It was gradual at first. He would drop by to "check on her progress," though he never actually did anything useful.

He would sit back and watch, amused, as she scribbled down blueprints, discussed logistics with investors, and finalised plans with Garrick. If she looked even the slightest bit stressed, he would lean in and whisper, "Do you need me to 'take care' of anyone?" in that teasing voice of his, making her roll her eyes and swat at him.

But she never told him to go away.