Chapter 28: A New Dawn

The sun cast its golden glow over Paris as the morning light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of their penthouse. Azalea stirred, feeling the warmth of Ambrose beside her. His arm was draped over her waist protectively, his steady breathing a calming rhythm against the hush of dawn.

She turned to face him, taking in the peaceful expression on his face. It was a rare sight—Ambrose without his usual guarded intensity, without the weight of their past missions hanging over him. For the first time in years, their lives weren't dictated by secrecy or danger. They were free.

Azalea traced her fingers lightly over his jaw, smiling as his eyes fluttered open.

"You're staring," Ambrose murmured, his voice husky from sleep.

"Maybe I am," she teased. "I'm just trying to commit this moment to memory. You look... happy."

He let out a soft chuckle, pulling her closer. "That's because I am. I have you, and for the first time in a long time, no shadows are lurking over us."

She sighed in contentment, nestling against him. "It almost feels surreal, doesn't it? No more looking over our shoulders, no more fake identities, no more running."

"Just us," Ambrose agreed, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

They lay in silence for a while, enjoying the rare stillness of their world. Eventually, Azalea propped herself up on one elbow, her hair cascading down her bare shoulders.

"We have a full day ahead," she mused. "The final merger between Scarlet Vogue and Levi Textiles is being announced today. We're making history, Ambrose."

He smirked. "You are. I'm just the man who gets to stand beside the most powerful woman in the fashion industry."

She rolled her eyes but smiled. "You're more than that, and you know it. This is our vision. The foundation we're building together."

He reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You make everything sound so simple, but I know how much work you've put into this. Seeing you step into your full power, leading this empire—it's incredible to watch."

Azalea's expression softened. "It's not just me. It's us. You've been by my side through everything. I wouldn't have made it here without you."

His gaze darkened with emotion as he cupped her cheek. "And I'm never leaving. Not now, not ever."

She leaned into his touch, her heart swelling. "Good," she whispered before pressing a lingering kiss to his lips.

A New Beginning

Later that morning, they arrived at Scarlet Vogue's headquarters, where the media had gathered for the official press conference. The board members, designers, and executives filled the grand hall, eagerly awaiting the announcement.

Azalea stood tall in a tailored crimson dress, embodying both elegance and authority. Ambrose, dressed in a sharp charcoal suit, stood beside her as they stepped onto the stage.

She addressed the audience with confidence. "Today marks a new chapter, not just for Scarlet Vogue and Levi Textiles, but for the industry as a whole. We are redefining the limits of fashion—bringing innovation, sustainability, and empowerment to the forefront."

The room erupted into applause, and as she continued speaking, Ambrose couldn't take his eyes off her.

Later, after the event, they retreated to Azalea's office, where she kicked off her heels and collapsed onto the couch with an exaggerated sigh.

"That went well," she admitted. "But I swear, if one more reporter asks me if merging the companies was just an excuse to be near you, I might throw my shoe at them."

Ambrose smirked. "Can you blame them? We're a power couple. People are obsessed with us."

She groaned. "I know. But I want them to see the bigger picture—what we're trying to build."

He sat beside her, pulling her legs over his lap. "They'll see it. In time, they'll realize this isn't just about business. It's about creating something lasting—something that matters."

Azalea smiled, reaching for his tie and pulling him closer. "You always know exactly what to say, don't you?"

"I like to think so," he murmured before kissing her, slow and deep.

A Night to Remember

That evening, Ambrose had planned a private celebration, away from the prying eyes of the media. He whisked Azalea away to an intimate rooftop dinner overlooking the city, the Eiffel Tower glittering in the distance.

As they dined under the stars, the air between them buzzed with something unspoken. The past was behind them, and the future stretched before them, full of endless possibilities.

"You know," Azalea mused as she sipped her wine, "I never imagined this life for myself. I thought I was destined to be alone, to be nothing more than a ghost drifting between missions."

Ambrose reached for her hand. "You were never meant to be alone, Azalea. You were meant to shine, to lead, to love. And I'm just grateful I get to be the one who stands beside you."

Her throat tightened with emotion. "I love you, Ambrose. More than I ever thought I was capable of loving someone."

He lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss against her knuckles. "I love you too. And I promise, no matter where life takes us, I'll always be by your side."

Azalea exhaled softly, feeling lighter than she ever had before. This was her new dawn—a future she had once thought impossible.

As they clinked their glasses together in a quiet toast, the city below them pulsed with life, but all that mattered was the man sitting across from her. Together, they had faced the darkest shadows, and now, in the warm embrace of love and redemption, they had found their light.