The next morning, Oliver woke to a stack of urgent emails. Most were routine, but one subject line made his stomach tighten:
"Carter Enterprises – Strategic Move"
He sighed, knowing that Mr. Carter was planning something. Always polite on the outside, always scheming underneath.
Anna, noticing his tension during breakfast, slid her hand over his. "What's wrong?" she asked softly.
"Carter," he admitted. "He's trying something during the engagement celebrations. Nothing dramatic yet, but he's planning a move. I'll handle it, but…" His voice softened. "I don't want it to worry you."
Anna smiled gently. "You think I'm fragile?"
He shook his head, a playful glint in his eyes. "Not fragile. But precious. And I protect what's precious."
Later that day, Anna joined him in his office to help finalize a few wedding arrangements. She noticed Oliver's focus was divided, his sharp eyes occasionally flicking to his laptop.
"Carter again?" she asked, teasing lightly.
He laughed softly. "It's like he's allergic to my happiness."
Anna leaned against the desk, sliding her hand into his. "Then let's make sure nothing ruins it. Together."
Oliver's eyes softened. "Always together."
During a meeting with a few business partners, Mr. Carter subtly tried to undermine Oliver. A quiet comment, a hint of doubt about a recent deal, nothing obvious.
But Anna noticed.
She leaned slightly closer to Oliver during the discussion. "Ignore it," she whispered. "We know the truth."
He glanced at her, grateful for the support. Her quiet confidence reminded him of all the reasons he had fallen in love with her — her intelligence, her patience, her unwavering trust.
After the meeting, they returned to their private office. Anna poured two coffees and handed one to Oliver.
"You know," she said softly, "you don't have to fight alone."
"I know," he replied, taking her hand. "But having you here makes it easier."
She smiled, brushing her thumb over his knuckles. "I always have your back. And you have mine. Always."
That evening, after a long day, Oliver surprised her with a quiet dinner on the rooftop terrace. No guests. No cameras. Just them, under the stars.
He reached across the table, holding her hand. "You're my calm, Anna. In the chaos of business, in the stress of everything… you remind me why I fight."
Anna's heart skipped. "And you're my anchor. Even when the world tries to push me around, I feel safe with you."
He leaned closer, their foreheads touching. "We've faced almost everything together already. Carter? Just a small bump."
She smiled softly. "Then let's enjoy the night. Just us."
Oliver kissed her gently — not rushed, not dramatic — a slow, soft kiss filled with trust, reassurance, and love.
Under the quiet city sky, Anna realized that together, they could face anything. Business rivals, misunderstandings, or the pressures of the world — nothing could shake what they had built over ten years of patience, trust, and love.
And in that kiss, she felt it clearly: no matter the challenges ahead, they were unstoppable — together. 💙✨