His Property: A Billionaire Possession Romance

The gala was not on Aria's schedule.

She hadn't planned to attend. Too many cameras. Too many names she didn't care about. Too many questions she didn't want to answer.

But the moment she saw the headline flashing on her phone —CASTELLAN RETURNS TO THE PUBLIC STAGE — WITH SOMEONE NEW?— she knew.

He was there.

And he hadn't gone to Tokyo.

Her heart thudded once.

Then twice.

Then she grabbed her coat and ordered a car.

By the time she arrived, the event was already in full swing.

A modern art auction. Crystal lights, clinking glasses, women in diamonds, men in power.

She slipped in through the side entrance, keeping her head low.

Her dress was simple. Black. Clean lines. Nothing borrowed. Nothing bought.

She didn't need armor tonight.

Because she wasn't chasing anything.

If he had chosen her, truly chosen her, he'd prove it.

And if he hadn't...

She'd walk away with her dignity intact.

Inside the grand hall, Leon stood at the edge of the stage, dark suit immaculate, gaze scanning the crowd like a man searching for a ghost.

He looked calm.

But only someone who knew him — really knew him — would see the tension in his jaw.

The crack beneath the polish.

He stepped up to the microphone.

The crowd hushed instantly.

Every camera turned to him.

"I'll be brief," he said. "You're all here to raise money for something beautiful. But before that—there's something I need to say."

A murmur rippled through the room.

Leon glanced down.

Then looked up again.

"This isn't a press release. This isn't a headline. And it damn sure isn't a contract."

His voice deepened.

"This is me."

Aria froze at the edge of the crowd, breath caught in her chest.

He hadn't seen her yet.

But he was speaking like she was already there.

"I've spent years building a life on rules. Power. Safety nets. I thought if I controlled everything, I couldn't be hurt."

He paused.

"But then she walked in. Unimpressed. Untamed. Unafraid to call me out for every wall I'd built."

A soft, stunned laugh from the crowd.

But Leon didn't smile.

"She changed everything."

"I didn't expect to feel anything. And when I did, I tried to bury it. Control it. Hide from it."

He finally looked up.

Right at her.

"I can't anymore."

The crowd turned as one.

Cameras swung.

All eyes found her.

But she didn't move.

Not until Leon stepped off the stage, cutting through the space like it didn't matter who watched.

He stopped in front of her.

Chest rising.

Eyes full.

"Aria Rousseau."

She blinked once, slow.

"I'm not asking you to stay because of a deal. Or a role. Or an arrangement."

He reached for her hand.

"I'm asking because I choose you."

A hush.

He took a breath.

"You're not my clause. You're not my liability. You're not a secret."

His voice shook just slightly.

"You're the one thing I want without terms."

Silence stretched between them.

Not cold.

Not hesitant.

Electric.

Then Aria smiled.

Slow.

Sharp.

Beautiful.

"What took you so long?"

Leon laughed—just once. Rough. Honest.

"I had to be sure."

She stepped closer.

Pressed her palm to his chest.

"And now?"

He covered her hand with his.

"Now I'm certain."

Applause broke out somewhere behind them.

Cameras clicked.

But none of it mattered.

Because when Leon kissed her, it wasn't for anyone else.

It was for her.

Just her.

No scripts. No safety.

Just love.

✨ Epilogue: A Private Ending

Later that night, in the quiet of the penthouse, she stood in front of the window in his shirt, wine in hand.

He came up behind her.

Wrapped his arms around her.

Rested his chin on her shoulder.

"You could still change your mind," she teased.

"I won't."

"Even if I steal all your closet space?"

"It's already yours."

She turned in his arms.

"Then this," she said softly, "is real now?"

He nodded.

"No contracts. No conditions."

She smiled against his lips.

"Good. Because I'm not going anywhere."

END OF VOLUME 1