Page 24 of Billionaire Wolf Needs a Fake Girlfriend

His words filled me with hope, and for the first time in a long time, I let myself believe it.

But even as we celebrated, the weight of the board's decision loomed over us. Denver's position as CEO was still on shaky ground. We succeeded in pushing back the torrent of negative press, but XMGH was a conservative brand at its core. Our strategy had dragged the company into the modern age of social media and celebrity news. We had no idea how the board was going to react to this new direction.

That afternoon, Denver received a call summoning him to a board meeting. He left the penthouse with a grim expression, and I felt a pang of anxiety settle in my chest.

I spent the next few hours pacing the living room, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. When Denver finally returned, his face was unreadable.

"Well?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

He crossed the room in a few long strides, pulling me into his arms. "They voted to keep me as CEO," he said, his voice steady but tinged with relief.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, my heart swelling with pride. "You did it, Denver."

He shook his head, his arms tightening around me. "We did it, Sasha. None of this would've been possible without you."

Later that night, we sat on the balcony, overlooking the forested hills below. Denver's arm was draped around my shoulders, and I leaned into him, savoring the peaceful moment.

It was quiet, the bustling sounds of the city were far away, and only the quiet song of chirping crickets filled the air. The balcony was lit up with a dozen glass votive candles.

"Sasha," he said with a deep breath. "I know we started this as an agreement, a fake relationship for PR, but what I feel for you has evolved into something much more, something real. I love you. More than anything."

My heart raced at the sincerity in his gaze, his blue eyes sparkling from the flickering candlelight around us. It was the first time that I had seen such vulnerability on his face. It took my breath away.

I turned to him. "I love you too, Denver. So much."

He cupped my face in his hands, his gaze searching mine. "Then let's make this official."

Before I could respond, Denver dropped to one knee, his piercing blue eyes locked onto mine.

As he reached into his pocket, I felt the flood of tears filling my eyes. My heart skipped so fast it felt like it was going to burst from my chest. He pulled out a small velvet box and opened it to reveal a stunning ring nestled within. My breath caught in my throat. A delicate band of crisscrossing white gold decorated with small diamonds that flanked a larger diamond in the center.

"Sasha Bennett," he began. His voice started steady but soon quivered with emotion. "You've turned my world upside down in the best way possible. I thought I was fine being a lone wolf, but you showed me that life is so much better as a team. You are not only my mate, but my partner, and guiding star. You've put color into my life, filled it with laughter, and shown me what it means to care for someone beyond just myself. Will you marry me?"

His gaze held mine like a lifeline, the seconds between us stretching into eternity.

My vision blurred as I nodded frantically, my voice trembling. "Yes! Yes, of course, I'll marry you, Denver."

He slid the ring onto my finger, and I couldn't help but admire how perfectly it fit. It was as if it had always been meant to be there.

Denver stood, his hands cradled my face, his thumbs brushing away the tears that had slipped down my cheeks. He pulled me into his arms and kissed me with a passion that set my soul on fire. His lips moved against mine with a hunger that mirrored my own, and I clung to him, pouring all my love and gratitude into the kiss. When we finally pulled apart, we were both breathless, our foreheads resting together.

"I never thought I'd find someone like you," Denver murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "You've made me believe in something I thought was impossible, that I could have a real, lasting love. A family. A future."

We'd been through hell and back, but we'd come out stronger on the other side. What had started out as a ruse turned into something real and authentic. And as I looked over at Denver, his eyes full of love and promise, I knew that no matter what the future held, we'd face it as partners.

This was our new beginning.

Epilogue

SASHA

EIGHT MONTHS LATER

The backstage area was a whirlwind of activity. Models darted like gazelles, their heels clicking sharply against the polished concrete floor as they rushed to change into the final pieces of the collection. Their stylists followed them, adjusting their outfits like buzzing hummingbirds. The air was heavy with the mingling scents of hairspray, sweat, and the faint citrus tang of the essential oils I'd diffused earlier to calm everyone's nerves. My pulse thrummed in my ears, a steady rhythm that mirrored the pounding applause echoing from the runway beyond the thick velvet curtains. The final model had just stepped off the stage, her sequined gown shimmering under the lights like liquid gold. The applause was deafening, a roaring tidal wave of approval that washed over me, leaving me breathless.

I exhaled sharply, the air leaving my lungs in a rush. My knees threatened to buckle beneath me, but I steadied myself, pressing a hand to my chest as if to keep my heart from leaping out. Even after several seasons of presenting my work on the runway, I was still a wreck every time. It was over. We'd done it. The XMGH spring collection runway show had been a resounding success. The show was a triumph. My vision and designs had just captivated an audience of the most critical eyes in the fashion industry.

I could still see the glint of the runway lights reflecting off the intricate beadwork of the gowns, the way the fabrics had flowed with each step, as if alive. The collection had been a gamble, a fusion of sharp architectural lines and soft, ethereal textures that had pushed the boundaries of whatXMGHwas known for. And it had paid off.

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