Chapter Ninety-Three: Things Made of Silver and Spine
Atria Solis
was polished gold and glass—sunlight gleaming off atriums that stretched five stories high and every storefront sparkling like temptation dressed in credit limits.
Kian walked in with Carter slung on his hip like it was second nature.
Chloe trailed just behind them, laughing as Carter narrated every single store window.
"That one's got robots. That one's got cupcakes. That one's got BOTH."
"Strategic branding," Kian muttered.
"Five-year-old brilliance," Chloe replied.
They wandered through two boutiques, paused for Carter to try on sunglasses shaped like pineapples, and made it all the way to the mezzanine before Chloe noticed Kian veer off to a discreet little jewelry alcove.
He leaned in, murmured to the sales attendant with that low, velvety tone of his, and when Chloe looked over, he caught her eye like he didn't care if she overheard.
"Necklace,"
he said. "And a ring. Nothing flashy. Just something to mark the moment."
Chloe blinked, heartbeat knocking once against her ribs.
Kian grinned.
"Not that kind of ring, Redgrave. Yet."
He turned and carried Carter off toward the restrooms—completely unbothered. Completely himself.
Chloe wandered into a men's accessories boutique nearby, flipping through chronographs and leather bands. The salesgirl offered help. Chloe waved her off kindly.
She wanted something simple. Classic. Something Kian would wear like a second skin.
She reached for a brushed steel-faced watch—sleek, minimal, quietly beautiful.
But before her fingers touched it, another hand swept in.
"I'll take this."
Chloe turned.
The woman beside her was tall, stylish, and expensive in a way that didn't require price tags. She didn't meet Chloe's gaze at first. Just cradled the box like it had always belonged to her.
"Been eyeing it for weeks," the woman said smoothly. "He prefers clean. Uncluttered. No embellishments."
Chloe's voice came quiet and even.
"You're buying that for Kian?"
The air between them went still, charged like something waiting to snap.
"Who's asking?"
Chloe stepped forward.
"His woman."
That landed.
Aviana smirked tightly, just a flicker of defiance before Chloe added—soft but precise—
"You remember me. From the benefit."
A pause.
"You didn't like watching him choose where he'd already chosen."
That was it. The line. The truth.
Aviana's chin lifted.
Chloe continued, unwavering.
"I'm Chloe Redgrave."
She extended a hand in the most polite threat imaginable.
"You didn't know who I was the first time. You do now. And you know what he calls me."
Aviana's jaw clenched.
Chloe smiled.
"Thank you for holding the watch."
She plucked the box effortlessly from Aviana's hand.
"I'll take it from here."
Outside the store, Kian returned with Carter on his shoulders.
The boy was giggling about fancy soap in the restroom and asking if they could ride the glass elevator again and then again and one more time for science.
Kian spotted the slim box in Chloe's hands.
She met his gaze.
"There are things I want you to wear," she said softly, threading her fingers through his.
"Because you've worn me so well."
Kian's breath caught—but he didn't say anything.
He didn't have to.
Because love, when spoken plainly, doesn't need echo. Just silence. And staying.