She_istrue1

Beneath the Same Roof

An intense, steamy forbidden romance

When Ava Monroe’s mother remarries into wealth, Ava’s world turns upside down — and so does her carefully guarded heart. Forced to live under the same roof as her enigmatic stepbrother Julian Hart, she’s thrust into a world of polished surfaces hiding raw, tangled emotions.

Julian is a man ruled by control and silence, a brooding enigma who keeps everyone at arm’s length — until Ava. Beneath his cold exterior lies a storm of desire and vulnerability that threatens to unravel them both.

As days bleed into nights filled with stolen glances, charged silences, and forbidden touches, Ava and Julian are drawn into a dangerous game of craving and restraint. Every secret moment deepens the connection neither wants to admit — but the consequences of crossing the line are devastating.

In a mansion built on power and expectation, can two broken souls risk everything for a love that should never exist? Or will the walls they live beneath become the cage that traps them forever.

BENEATH THE SAME ROOF

📖 Chapter 36 – In the Place Where We First Lied

Themes: Sacred love, private promises, quiet rebellion, healing, proposal on their terms

PART 1: RETURN TO GREECE (POV: Ava)

The island hadn't changed — whitewashed houses, blue domes, the scent of lemons and seawater.

They didn't book a resort this time.

They rented a quiet stone villa, tucked behind bougainvillea vines. No press. No expectations.

> "Let's not tell anyone where we are," Julian said, kissing the inside of her wrist.

> "Let's not tell anyone anything," Ava murmured. "For once."

They found the hidden cove from that first trip — where they almost kissed, where her hands trembled, where they called themselves just stepsiblings trying not to fall.

This time, there was no resistance.

This time, they undressed slowly on the sand, skin to skin under the sun, no fear.

They didn't just make love — they took it back.

And when it was over, Ava whispered:

> "I used to want to be saved from this feeling.

PART 2: THE PROPOSAL (POV: Julian)

That night, under candlelight and old Greek stars, Julian pulled out a black velvet ring box — not from his pocket, but from his guitar case.

> "I've already had you in every way the world told me I couldn't.

But I want the part they don't get to witness."

> "I want mornings with your shampoo on my pillow.

Nights with your feet under my thighs.

Grocery lists, baby name arguments, burnt toast.

> "Yes," she breathed, before he could even open the box.

They bought plain gold bands from a local artisan the next day.

Just their initials carved in the inside.

They just wrote their own vows in bed, barefoot, wine-drunk, kissing between every line.

Their written vows, side by side in Ava's handwriting:

"If loving you is a scandal, then let it echo for centuries."

"If this is a crime, then I'll die guilty and grateful."

They seal them with a kiss — not to share, not to post.

chapter 36