"Rosette!"
Dranred's voice broke through the crowd as he caught up to her, his hand closing gently around her arm. "Why did you leave like that? I didn't even know you were there."
She turned, eyes flashing. "Right. I shouldn't have gone at all. I just interrupted your sweet moment with that vlogger."
A small, amused smile tugged at Dranred's lips.
"Are you seriously smiling right now?" Rosette snapped, her brows furrowing. "You have the nerve to grin after that?"
"Sorry," he said quickly, forcing the smile away. He reached for her hand, but she pulled it back before he could touch her.
"Hey." His voice softened. "You once told me I could hold your hand for as long as I wanted if I won. Well, I won. So why are you pulling away now?"
"Then maybe you should hold her hand instead." Rosette turned sharply, her voice trembling. "I'm going home."
Before she could take another step, Dranred's arms were around her, pulling her back against him.
"Let go," she whispered, her voice breaking.
"I can't." His breath brushed against her ear. "Don't ever tell me to hold another woman's hand."
She let out a bitter laugh. "You've got some nerve saying that after what I saw."
"It wasn't what you think," he said desperately. "She was drunk, Rosette. She told me she had a crush on me—"
"Oh, that makes it so much better!" she said, struggling against his hold. "Let go of me, Dranred!"
"She's just a fan," he insisted, tightening his arms around her. "Nothing she does will ever matter to me. Because my heart has belonged to one woman—and only one—for a long time."
He turned her around, his eyes searching hers. "The only woman who gave me strength. Who made me believe again."
Rosette's gaze dropped to the ground, her heartbeat quickening.
"Do I really need to say her name?" he whispered.
She said nothing, but her silence spoke louder than words.
"What should I do to make you believe me?" he asked, voice shaking. "Should I go back there and tell her she could never take your place? That she could never be you?"
"Fine," Rosette muttered, glancing around, her cheeks flushed. "Let go. People are watching."
Dranred smiled faintly. "You're worried about them?"
"You're a famous baseball player. If someone sees us, this will be everywhere by tomorrow. What will your fans think?"
"I don't care what they think," he said, taking her hand firmly. "You're the one who matters. And this time, Rosette…" — he lifted her hand to his chest — "I won't let go."
She blinked away the tears threatening her eyes. "I have to go back to the hotel. James is waiting."
"Then don't go," he pleaded softly. "Stay. Just tonight."
"And what would you tell James?" she asked, her voice trembling. "He'll be furious."
"I'm already in the finals," he said quietly. "I kept my promise to him. Isn't that enough?"
"You still need to talk to him," she said, her tone softening. "He's waiting for you to reach out. You're both holding onto pride like it's punishment. Haven't you hurt enough?"
Dranred's expression darkened with regret. "Then maybe you should be the one to tell him that."
Rosette looked at him—really looked at him—and saw the pain behind his calm. She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him.
"Come here," she whispered. "You've carried that for too long."
He smiled faintly against her hair. "Aren't you afraid people might see us?"
"Let them," she murmured. "For once, let them."
"It's fine. I'm comforting my man — so it's okay," Rosette said, smiling faintly.
Dranred grinned. "Your man?"
"Why? Should I find someone else instead?" she teased, pretending to pull away.
Dranred's arms tightened around her instantly. "Absolutely not. Never."
Rosette laughed softly at his sudden seriousness, her heart warming at his words.
From a short distance away, Nathan stood watching. His fists clenched at his sides.
He had hoped they'd argue — that this time, they'd finally call it quits.
But it seemed Celine had only made their bond stronger.