I ASKED A BILLIONAIRE FOR ONE WEEK WITH HIS BROKEN TWIN SONS - THEN HIS SISTER SMILED AT ME LIKE SHE ALREADY KNEW HOW TO DESTROY IT

One month later.

The Sterling Manor was illuminated by thousands of golden fairy lights draped across the white marble terrace and formal gardens.

It was the night of the annual Sarah Sterling Children's Memorial Foundation Gala—a event that gathered the world’s elite, philanthropists, and business leaders to raise money for pediatric hospitals.

In the past, the gala had been a somber, silent affair managed by Charlotte. But tonight, the grand estate was filled with music, laughter, color, and warmth.

I stood on the second-floor balcony overlooking the grand ballroom, wearing a breathtaking midnight-blue silk gown that hugged my waist and flowed behind me like liquid velvet. Around my neck hung a subtle sapphire pendant—a gift from Julian.

Below, three hundred guests mingled around ice sculptures and floral arrangements.

At the center of the room, Leo and Toby were showing a group of amazed scientists and investors a fully functional four-wheeled robot they had built themselves, powered by Leo’s custom code and decorated with Toby’s beautiful hand-painted star designs.

Barnaby the puppy was trotting around on a velvet leash held by Harrison, receiving endless head scratches from wealthy donors.

A pair of warm, strong arms wrapped gently around my waist from behind.

Julian pulled me back against his broad chest, burying his face in the crook of my neck, inhaling the sweet scent of jasmine in my hair.

"You're hiding up here," Julian whispered softly, his voice low and vibrating against my back.

"I’m just watching," I said, smiling as I leaned back against him. "Look at them, Julian. They aren't hiding in their rooms anymore. They're proud."

"They're proud because they have a mother who taught them how to stand," Julian murmured softly.

My heart skipped a beat at the word mother.

Julian turned me around in his arms until I was facing him. He looked breathtaking in his black tuxedo, his dark hair neatly styled, his gray eyes shining with an emotion so deep, so raw, that it took my breath away.

He reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out a small, black velvet box.

My hands flew to my mouth. "Julian..."

"One month ago, you walked into this house with a dust rag and a heart big enough to save three broken people," Julian whispered, opening the box to reveal a flawless six-carat cushion-cut diamond ring that caught the golden light of the chandeliers.

He dropped to one knee right there on the marble balcony.

"Julian Sterling..." I gasped, tears instantly springing to my eyes.

"Maya Lin," Julian said, taking my shaking left hand into his large, warm palm. "You brought light back into a house that was dead. You loved my sons when they were unlovable. You loved me when I was lost in the dark."

He looked up at me, his eyes full of endless love and reverence.

"I don't want a nanny for my sons," Julian whispered. "I don't want a director for my household. I want a partner. I want a wife. Will you marry me, Maya?"

I looked down at the billionaire who had conquered the business world, crouching at my feet with his heart completely exposed in his hands.

I looked over the balcony railing at Leo and Toby, who had noticed us on the balcony and were currently jumping up and down, pointing up at us with huge, radiant grins on their faces.

"Yes!" I sobbed, laughing through my tears. "Yes, Julian! A thousand times yes!"