The Rose He Killed novel Chapter 105

Chapter 95: Ethan’s Proposal

Bella POV

Ethan picked a restaurant with no paparazzi access, a corner booth, and wine he’d clearly researched in advance. It was a thoughtful choice. Everything about Ethan was a thoughtful choice.

“The Singapore expansion is going well,” he said, refilling my glass. “I heard from the analysts that you’re ahead of schedule.”

“Marginally.” I turned the stem of the glass in my fingers. “Your Jakarta deal – did that close?”

“Last week.” He smiled, that easy, open smile that never seemed to cost him anything. “Which is actually part of why I wanted to see you.”

I waited.

“Before I say what I came to say” He paused, something more deliberate in his tone than usual. “I want you to know that I’ve thought about this carefully and I am not here on impulse.”

“You’re never on impulse,” I said.

“No.” A quiet smile. “Which is why I need you to hear me out, and then I promise – whatever you say, I’ll respect it completely. No second attempts after tonight.”

Something in that last sentence made me set my glass down. He meant it and I could hear the finality in

“I’ve been thinking about a merger,” he said. “Hart Worldwide and Pierce Capital. The overlap in our Southeast Asian portfolios is significant, and the combined entity would be.”

“Dominant,” I finished. “I’ve run the numbers.”

He looked pleased, like he’d expected nothing less. “Then you know it makes sense.”

“Business marriages always make sense on paper.” I met his eyes. “What’s the actual pitch, Ethan? Because you didn’t bring me to a candlelit restaurant to talk about portfolio overlap. And you told me once you weren’t interested in being the safe choice.”

۴

He was quiet for a moment. Then he sat back and let the pretense go entirely. “I remember what I said and I meant it then.” He looked at me steadily. “But that was before I understood what I’d actually be walking away from if I never said anything.” He exhaled. “So this is me saying something. Once. Clearly. And then never again.”

“I care about you,” he said. “More than I expected to. And I think what you have with Caleb – whatever is – is driven more by history and chemistry than by whether it’s actually good for you.”

“You might be right,” I said honestly.

“I know I’m right. What Caleb is offering you is the chance to re-live something painful and hope this time it doesn’t destroy you. What I’m offering is a clean start. No trauma, no baggage – but a real partnership built on.”

Chapter 95&than’s Proge

“Mutual respect and aligned interests?”

“And genuine affection.” He looked at me steadily. “I’m falling for you, Bella. I’m not going to dress it up or pretend otherwise. But also know myself well enough to know I can’t keep half-hoping in the background. So tonight is me being honest, and then letting go. Either way.”

I looked at his hands on the table. He was a man at peace with himself, who had never once looked at me like I was a problem to solve or a wound to dress. He looked at me like I was simply someone he wanted.

That should have been enough. It should have been more than enough.

“You deserve someone who chooses you without hesitation,” I said finally. “Someone whose first thought when they wake up is you and only you.”

Something in his expression shifted – a small brace, the kind you make when you already know what’s coming but you hold still anyway. “Is that not you?” he asked.

“You’re everything I should want, and I mean that genuinely. You’re kind, you’re intelligent, you’ve built something real. You’re the safe choice.”

“I hate that word.”

“I know.” I met his eyes. “Safety shouldn’t be a compromise. With someone else, it wouldn’t be.”

The restaurant hummed around us. Ethan looked at the table for a moment, then back at me – and something released in his expression. Not defeat. Something quieter than that. Resolution.

“He’s still in there,” he said simply. “Whatever I offer you, he’s still in there.”

“I’m sorry,” I said and meant it deeply.

He was quiet. Then he exhaled, reached across and squeezed my hand once. “Don’t apologize. I’d rather know.” He picked up his menu. “Can we still eat? I’m actually starving, and this wine is excellent.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify