Things had slowly returned to normal in the weeks after Dana's accident. The air between Rhys, Steven, Melanie, and Dana had cleared, though not without some lingering tension and unspoken words. Rhys and Steven had come to an understanding—a silent agreement that whatever had driven them to fight each other, it was all trivial. Power, control, and dominance didn't matter anymore. Not when they realized what really mattered: the people they loved.
The two men had bonded over late-night conversations, heart-to-heart talks about their pasts, their mistakes, and their dreams. Slowly, they had let go of the animosity that had held them apart for so long. They'd begun to see one another not as competitors or enemies, but as allies—two strong men who had been through their own battles, both trying to protect the ones they cared about in different ways.
One evening, after a casual conversation between the four of them about a celebration, Rhys and Steven came up with the idea of throwing a party. A big one. To celebrate their triumphs, their new beginnings, and most importantly, the bonds they had formed. They called it a "new start" party—a chance for everyone to let go of the past and move forward.
---
The night of the party arrived, and the atmosphere was electric. Guests filled the large mansion, their laughter and chatter filling the air as the evening stretched on. It was a lavish affair, but there was something more intimate about it, something less about appearances and more about the people within. The decorations were elegant, but there was an underlying warmth that came from the shared experiences between the group.
Rhys had made a mental note earlier in the night—this party wasn't about dominance, it wasn't about status. It was about celebrating what they had: their friendships, their growth, and the love that had unexpectedly blossomed among them all.
Dana and Melanie had spent the evening together, the two of them laughing as they swirled their drinks in their hands, sharing stories of their pasts and their dreams. Despite the shock that Dana had felt in the moments after her kiss with Steven, she now felt like she was starting to understand what had drawn them together.
Meanwhile, Steven had been quieter than usual. He couldn't help but look across the room, catching glimpses of Dana and feeling a pull in his chest. She was beautiful in the soft lighting, and her laughter was like music. He knew he was in love with her—it had hit him like a freight train, and now he couldn't hold back anymore.
And Rhys—Rhys wasn't much different. Though he had kept his distance from Melanie, there was no denying the connection that had been there from the start. He'd been fighting it, trying to protect himself from the vulnerability of love. But as the night went on, as he watched Steven's eyes follow Dana with such tenderness, Rhys realized he was only fooling himself. He had feelings for Melanie, feelings that had always been there but had been buried under layers of pride and fear.
---
The music shifted to a slow ballad, and the crowd quieted down, sensing that something was about to happen. Steven turned to Rhys, giving him a small nod. Rhys gave him a knowing look, and they both made their way toward the center of the room.
With a deep breath, Steven cleared his throat, and all eyes turned to him. He wasn't a man who was often vulnerable, but this moment, this one moment, felt more important than any boardroom deal he had ever made. It was time to say what had been on his heart for so long.
"Dana," Steven said, his voice soft but steady. "I know we've been through a lot—more than anyone should have to. But in everything that's happened, there's one thing I've learned: you're the one thing in this world that I never want to lose. I've fought for things, for power, for control, and none of it matters. You do. You're what matters."
Dana stood frozen, her heart beating fast, unsure of what was coming next. The entire room seemed to hold its breath as Steven knelt down before her, his eyes never leaving hers.
"Dana Edison," he continued, his voice thick with emotion. "I love you. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"
For a moment, Dana couldn't speak. Her heart swelled, her chest tightening as she realized what was happening. Tears welled up in her eyes as she nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "Yes. Yes, Steven."
The room erupted into applause, and Steven's face broke into a smile as he slipped the ring onto her finger. As Dana gazed at him, she could feel the weight of the moment settle over her—this was real, and it was everything she had ever wanted.
But just as the cheers began to die down, Rhys stepped forward, his face serious yet tender. He took a deep breath, and his gaze shifted to Melanie, who was standing beside him, her eyes wide with surprise.
"I wasn't planning on this," Rhys said, his voice raw, "but seeing Steven take that leap… I realized I can't hide from my feelings anymore."
Melanie's heart skipped a beat, but she didn't move as Rhys continued.
"Melanie," he said, his voice catching. "I love you. I've loved you for longer than I care to admit. And I don't want to live a life where I don't tell you that. Will you marry me?"
The room fell silent as Melanie stared at him, her emotions warring within her. Her lips trembled as she took a step closer to him, her voice choked with emotion. "Yes. Yes, Rhys."
Another round of applause broke out, and the two couples stood in the center of the room, their love palpable. Rhys and Melanie shared a tearful kiss, and Steven and Dana did the same, their lips meeting in a tender kiss as the crowd cheered.
---
In that moment, it was clear to everyone in the room: these two strong, powerful people—Steven and Rhys—had shown their vulnerability for the first time. They had both realized that love was the greatest power of all, and they weren't afraid to admit it.
As the night went on, the four of them danced together, laughter filling the air, the bonds of friendship and love stronger than ever.