As the four of them prepared to leave the venue, a man stepped into their path.

"Excuse me, Mr. Alexander. I have a rather presumptuous request—would you be willing to sell this gown to me?"

Marcellus lifted an eyebrow, his expression languid. "Reason?"

"My daughter is eighteen. She's been struggling with depression for two years. I want to give this to her as a coming-of-age gift, hoping it might help her break through her own darkness and find some light."

Marcellus glanced at Evangeline, waiting for her silent nod before responding.

"Take it."

The man went wide-eyed. "Really? Thank you so much! What’s your bank account information?"

Marcellus looked entirely indifferent. "Don't worry about it. It’s a gift for your daughter."

The man paused, clearly stunned, then added, "Then, in this young lady’s name, I will donate the funds I had intended to pay to a charity of her choice."

"Suit yourself."

Evangeline, catching the flow of the moment, had a sudden thought. She turned to the group. "Making money off these two isn't exactly sporting. Why don't we donate our own share, too? What do you think, Remi?"

"Absolutely! It’s for a great cause!"

The two women struck a deal in an instant.

Remi looked toward the two men and grinned. "Sorry, boys. We’re using your wallets to do our good deeds for the day!"

Evangeline waved a hand dismissively. "It’s fine. They’ve got deep enough pockets; they won't even feel it."

Damian smoothed back Remi’s hair, his gaze brimming with indulgence. "What’s mine is yours. Do whatever you want."

Evangeline smirked. "Dr. Spencer, you’ve really leveled up your game, haven't you?"

Damian looked a bit bashful. "Cough—well, I’ve had a very good teacher in Marcellus."

"He’s teaching you?!"

Evangeline stared, completely incredulous. She hadn't forgotten how Marcellus had hauled her off to the Elysian Estate without a word back then. If he had been this smooth, they wouldn't have spent so much time going in circles.

"I’m speaking from experience," Marcellus drawled. "Every lesson was paid for in blood."

"Ha!"

"Alright, alright," Damian proposed, "let’s find somewhere to celebrate the two of you."

"Can I drink to my heart's content tonight?" Evangeline asked, gazing at Marcellus with wide, pleading eyes.

"As long as I’m here, you can drink whatever you like."

"Yes! Remi, where should we go?"

"How about glamping? A bonfire under the stars!"

"Perfect!"

With the plan set, the group headed toward a high-end retreat in the countryside. The scenery was breathtaking, the air crisp and clean—a true escape into nature that left the mind feeling refreshed.

They set up a campsite on the grass beneath a sprawling canopy of stars. The crackle of the charcoal fire provided a cozy rhythm, and the air was thick with the scent of roasting meat. The pressure of the last two weeks seemed to evaporate. They set aside all worries, focusing entirely on the indulgence of the moment, letting the wine flow until their inhibitions began to slip.

"Can we stay here tonight?" Evangeline asked, her eyes hazy.

"We can."

"Then I want to room with Remi."

"Absolutely not!" Two voices rang out in perfect, possessive unison.

"Why?"

"Because I want to sleep with Evangeline!"

The two women clung to each other, giggling. Marcellus grew impatient. He turned to Damian and barked, "Get your woman out of here!"

Damian sighed, helpless. "What do you want me to do? I can’t exactly drag her off, can I?"

He leaned over to Remi, his voice softening into a coaxing whisper. "Remi, be a good girl and let go, okay?"

"No!"

"…Listen to me."

Marcellus looked at him with sheer disdain. "Damian, are you even capable of handling this?"

"If you're so good at it, you do it!"

*Watch and learn.* Marcellus stepped toward Evangeline, cupping her flushed face in his hands before leaning down to kiss her. He murmured into her skin, "Cleo… didn't you miss me?"

As expected, Evangeline’s grip on Remi loosened, and her hands drifted up to rest on his chest.

Damian seized the chance and scooped up the now-limp Remi.

"Hell! You’re way too slick," Damian muttered.

Marcellus shot him a triumphant brow-flick and carried his woman toward the cabin.

"Remi?"

Damian called her name, but she didn't stir. He had no choice but to carry her to their room, kick off her shoes, and tuck her in. He was about to turn away when Remi’s hand shot out, grabbing his wrist.

"Big guy! You’re really going to walk away when you’ve got the perfect chance?"

"Remi, you…"

Remi sat up, leaning into his chest, her voice a low murmur. "Haven't you been waiting for a chance to be alone with me? Why are you running?"

"I’m afraid… I won't be able to control myself."

Remi wanted to laugh—and cry. The man had kissed her the third time they met, and now that they were actually dating, he was acting like a saint. "Fine. If that’s how it is, just leave." She lay back down.

Damian froze. He was a complete novice at dating and had no idea how to interpret this. He didn't want to leave, yet he hesitated, whispering, "Remi?"

When she kept her eyes shut, refusing to look at him, his resolve crumbled.

Remi waited. When no further words came, she felt a flare of annoyance. *Fine. If he won't make a move, I will.*

She reached out, grabbed his collar, and yanked him down.

Damian braced his arms on either side of her, his eyes dark, his throat bobbing as he stared at her glistening gaze. "Remi, are you sure?"

"If you don't kiss me right now, I really am going to kick you out."

"Remi, have we got our scripts swapped?"

Remi rolled her eyes. "Who told you to be so useless?"

"Useless, am I?"

Before she could answer, his lips crashed onto hers—a searing, desperate kiss that brooked no argument. Remi had never kissed like this before; she didn't know how to breathe, her head spinning from the intensity of the contact.

Overwhelmed, she pushed him back, gasping for air.

Damian looked at her, his eyes clouded with raw, unchecked desire. His voice was a strained rasp. "What’s wrong?"

When Remi saw the intensity in his gaze, she felt a jolt of alarm. She almost regretted the bait she’d set. "I… I’m tired!"

"…Right. Sleep, then." He reached out and tenderly wiped the moisture from her lips.

"What about you?"

"Where would you like me to sleep, Remi?"

"I want you to stay with me."

"Alright. Sleep now, little one. I’m just going to take a quick shower."

Remi watched him head toward the bathroom, a soft smile playing on her lips. It seemed he had finally learned how to respect her boundaries.

Damian stood under the freezing water for an hour, trying to douse the fire in his blood. When he emerged, Remi was already asleep. He approached the bed with soft, careful footsteps and slid under the covers. Propping himself up on one elbow, he watched her sleep, a sense of profound, blooming happiness filling his chest.