The next morning, the rain had cleared, leaving the city streets glistening under a crisp, bright sun. Inside the penthouse, the atmosphere was entirely transformed. Hazel’s colorful clothes were back in the closet, her canvas shoes neatly aligned next to Ethan’s leather loafers in the entryway. But the biggest change was the platinum band resting securely back on her left ring finger. They sat together at the kitchen island, sharing a single mug of coffee. Hazel was leaned entirely against Ethan’s side, her head resting on his shoulder, while Ethan’s long arm was wrapped firmly around her waist, his fingers idly tracing patterns on her bare hip beneath her silk robe. He looked relaxed, the sharp, defensive edges of his posture completely softened by the security of having her back within his perimeter. The sharp, rhythmic ding of the penthouse elevator shattered the quiet. Ethan’s feline eyes narrowed instantly. He didn't move his arm from Hazel’s waist as the elevator doors slid open directly into their living room. Stepping out into the apartment was his father, Chairman Choi, flanked by two senior legal advisors. The older man’s face was a mask of thunderous rage, a stark contrast to the bright morning light. "Ethan!" Chairman Choi boomed, his heavy steps echoing on the hardwood. "You completely ignored my calls this morning. Director Kang has informed me that you threatened his shipping sectors last night. The merger is in jeopardy, and I hear rumors that you left your wife’s old apartment in the middle of the night like a lunatic! What is the meaning of this?!" Hazel stiffened slightly, her natural instinct to shrink away from the terrifying corporate giant kicking in. But before she could move, Ethan squeezed her waist gently, a reassuring vibration humming through his chest. Ethan didn't stand up to greet his father. He didn't adjust his posture or adopt the submissive, formal shield he usually used. He simply turned his sharp gaze toward the Chairman, his hand remaining firmly, publicly wrapped around Hazel’s hip. "The meaning is quite simple, Father," Ethan said, his voice smooth, clear, and dripping with an absolute, terrifying authority. "The merger with the Kang family is officially dead. I have already instructed our compliance team to review their logistics data, and we will be absorbing their domestic routes by the end of the next fiscal quarter. We don't need their alliance." Chairman Choi gasped, his face turning a deep shade of red. "You arrogant boy! You think you can just dictate the board’s decisions?! You think because you have a pretty childhood sweetheart to play the part of a traditional wife, you can defy me?! If I leak what I know about your private life—" "You have nothing to leak," Ethan interrupted coldly, finally standing up, pulling Hazel gently to his side so they stood shoulder-to-shoulder against the Chairman. "The servers Director Kang used have been completely wiped. And even if you had something, I don't care anymore." He reached down, taking Hazel’s hand and lifting it, locking his fingers with hers so their matching platinum bands glinted perfectly in the sunlight. "Hazel isn't a cover story, Father. She isn't a part I am playing to keep the board happy," Ethan stated, his voice echoing with a fierce, territorial pride that made Chairman Choi take a half-step back. "She is my wife. She is the future matriarch of this company, because I am taking the CEO position on my own terms. If you or the board attempt to interfere with her, or with this household ever again, I will strip the Choi Group of its domestic assets and build my own empire from the ground up. Try me." The silence that followed was absolute. Chairman Choi looked at his son—looked at the unyielding, fierce predator standing before him—and realized that the cage was completely gone. The aloof prince had claimed his throne, and he had done it with his golden retriever right next to him. Without another word, the Chairman turned on his heel, gesturing wildly to his advisors as they retreated back into the elevator, the doors sliding shut with a definitive click. As the elevator descended, Hazel looked up at Ethan, her puppy-like eyes shining with a brilliant, blinding pride. "Wow. You really are a scary cat when you want to be." Ethan let out a soft, fond chuckle, the fierce corporate mask melting into a warm, breathless smile just for her. He pulled her flush against his chest, burying his face in her hair. "Only when someone tries to touch what's mine," he murmured, his fingers locking tightly behind her back, sealing them into their own perfect, unbreakable bubble forever. The End. --- Author's Note: Hi there, thank you so much reading Lavender Marriage. I want to hear your thoughts about this story, please rate it, it means a lot for me. Also, please support my other completed stories, thank you so much!

The United Front