Over the next few weeks, the shift in their relationship became more apparent. At work, they were still the same formidable team, but there was an ease between them that hadn't been there before. They no longer had to hide their feelings or pretend that they were something they weren't. And in their personal lives, they allowed themselves to enjoy the little moments—the quiet mornings over coffee, the late-night conversations on the couch, the simple pleasure of just being with each other.
Their relationship wasn't without its challenges, of course. The fallout from the media story was still rippling through the company, and there were moments when the pressure of their public personas weighed heavily on them both. But unlike before, they faced it as a united front. They weren't pretending anymore, and that made all the difference.
One evening, as they sat together on the balcony, Marie found herself thinking back to the beginning of their arrangement—the contract, the merger, the carefully calculated plan they had devised to save the company. It all seemed so distant now, like the plot of someone else's story.
"I can't believe how far we've come," she said, her voice soft as she gazed out at the city lights. Welder glanced over at her, a small smile playing on his lips. "I know. It feels like a lifetime ago."
Marie turned to him, her expression thoughtful. "Do you ever regret it? The way we started?"
Welder shook his head, his smile widening. "No. I don't regret a single moment. It led us here, didn't it?" Marie smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "Yeah, it did."
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the weight of everything they had been through finally giving way to a sense of peace.
And as the city hummed softly below them, Marie realized that for the first time in a long while, she wasn't worried about what came next. She didn't need to know the future or plan every detail. Because whatever happened, they would face it together.
They had survived the unexpected twists and turns of their story, and now, they were writing a new chapter—one where the only thing that mattered was that they had found each other in the most unlikely of circumstances.And this time, they weren't going to let go.
As the weeks passed, Marie and Welder settled into their new reality. Their relationship, once confined by the rigid boundaries of a business arrangement, had evolved into something genuine—something that felt as solid as the foundation they had built their lives on. The press had moved on to other scandals, and though there were still occasional whispers and speculation, most people had accepted their story as truth. The company had weathered the storm, and both Marie and Welder had emerged stronger, not just as partners in business, but in life.
Still, there were moments when the enormity of their situation would hit Marie—flashes of doubt, or perhaps just disbelief, that she had gone from a carefully constructed life of independence to this whirlwind romance with the man she had once seen as nothing more than her boss. But now, he was her husband. Her partner. And the connection they shared felt more real every day.
One afternoon, Marie was in her office, reviewing contracts for an upcoming project when her phone buzzed with a message from Welder.
Welder: Can you meet me in the garden? There's something I want to show you.
Marie smiled at the text, curiosity piqued. The garden was a private spot at the company headquarters, a secluded space behind the building that Welder had designed himself. He had always said it was his way of staying grounded in the midst of the chaos of running the company, and Marie had come to appreciate its serenity too.
She quickly wrapped up her work and made her way downstairs. As she stepped outside, the cool breeze brushed against her skin, and the soft scent of lavender filled the air. Welder was waiting for her by the fountain, a small smile on his face as he spotted her.
"What's all this about?" Marie asked, walking over to him.
Welder motioned toward the corner of the garden, where a newly installed trellis stood, covered in blooming vines of jasmine and roses. "I thought this place could use a little upgrade. And since you love flowers, I figured it would be a good addition."
Marie blinked in surprise, taking in the beautiful arrangement. The trellis framed the corner perfectly, creating a picturesque nook where she could already imagine herself spending hours reading or simply relaxing.
"It's beautiful," she said softly, touched by the gesture. "But you didn't have to go through all this trouble just for me."
Welder stepped closer, his eyes warm and affectionate. "It's not trouble, Marie. I wanted to do something that would make you smile. And besides, this garden has always been a place for me to find peace. I wanted to make it a place we could share."
Marie felt her heart swell at his words. Welder had a way of making her feel seen—truly seen—in a way that no one else ever had. She reached up, brushing a hand against his cheek. "Thank you. It's perfect."
They stood there for a moment, basking in the tranquility of the garden. But there was something in Welder's expression—something deeper, more contemplative—that told Marie he had more on his mind.
"What's really going on, Welder?" she asked, her brow furrowing slightly.
Welder hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "There's something I've been thinking about—something important. And I've been waiting for the right moment to bring it up, but I don't think there's ever going to be a perfect time, so I might as well just say it."
Marie's heart skipped a beat, her mind racing through a hundred different possibilities. "What is it?"
He took her hands in his, his gaze steady and serious. "I know we've been through a lot these past few months, and everything's been happening so fast. But I don't want us to just react to the circumstances anymore. I want to be intentional about our future."
Marie felt her pulse quicken. "What do you mean?
Welder looked deeply into her eyes, his voice gentle but resolute. "I want us to start thinking about what comes next for us—not just in terms of the company, but in terms of our lives. Our family."
The word "family" hung in the air, and Marie's breath caught in her throat. She had never imagined herself as the type to settle down, to build a family in the traditional sense. Her career had always been her focus, her ambition her guiding light. But now, standing here with Welder, the idea didn't feel so foreign. In fact, it felt… possible. Right, even.
"You're talking about… kids?" Marie asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Welder nodded, his expression softening. "I know it's a lot to think about, and I don't want to rush you into anything. But I've been thinking about it a lot lately. I want a family, Marie. And I want to build that life with you."
Marie was silent for a moment, processing the weight of his words. She had never been one to imagine a future filled with children and family dinners, but now, with Welder, the idea didn't scare her the way it might have before. In fact, it made her heart ache with a strange, unfamiliar longing.
"I never really thought about it," Marie admitted, her voice quiet but honest. "Not until recently. But now… I think maybe I want that too. With you."
Welder's eyes lit up with a mixture of relief and joy. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as if he never wanted to let go. "We don't have to decide anything right now," he murmured against her hair. "I just wanted you to know where my head is at. Wherever we go from here, I want us to do it together."
Marie nodded, her heart swelling with emotion. The future still felt uncertain in many ways, but one thing was crystal clear: she didn't want to face it without Welder by her side. The idea of starting a family—of building a life with him—was something she hadn't expected, but now that the seed had been planted, she couldn't ignore how right it felt.
"I'm with you," she whispered, pulling back just enough to meet his gaze. "Whatever we decide, we'll figure it out together."
Welder smiled, his eyes soft with affection. "That's all I need."
They stood there for a while, wrapped in each other's arms, the world around them falling away as they contemplated the future. It was a future they would build together—one that was no longer bound by the constraints of business or duty, but by love and a shared vision of what they wanted their lives to be.