Chapter 1 Beneath the Skyline

Ethan Blackwood was the kind of man who had the world at his feet. At just 34, he was the youngest self-made billionaire in the country, his tech empire reshaping industries across the globe. His penthouse overlooked the dazzling city skyline, a symbol of his success-but also of the emptiness that came with it.

Ethan's days were a blur of board meetings, investment deals, and lavish parties he barely remembered. He'd long ago given up on finding someone who saw him as more than a walking bank account. That is, until a chance encounter with Clara Hayes.

Clara was unlike anyone he'd ever met. She was a small-town artist trying to make a name for herself in the bustling city. The first time they crossed paths, it wasn't in a high-rise office or a gala but at a quaint café where Ethan, desperate for a moment of quiet, had taken refuge.

Clara was seated at a corner table, her sketchpad open and her hands smudged with charcoal. She barely glanced up when Ethan walked in, a detail that intrigued him. He wasn't used to being ignored.

When Ethan spilled his coffee, Clara chuckled softly, offering him a napkin without even looking away from her sketch. "You might want to slow down," she said, her tone light.

"Thanks," he replied, taken aback by her casual demeanor.

They struck up a conversation, and Ethan learned that Clara had moved to the city to pursue her dream of becoming a gallery artist. She spoke passionately about her work, her eyes lighting up in a way that made Ethan forget about his empire.

Over the next few weeks, Ethan found excuses to visit the café, drawn to Clara's authenticity. She treated him like a regular person, teasing him for his clumsy attempts to draw and sharing stories about her small-town life.

When she finally learned who he was, her reaction was not what he expected. "So, you're rich," she said with a shrug. "Doesn't change the fact that you can't draw a straight line."

For the first time in years, Ethan felt seen-not as a billionaire, but as a man.

Their relationship blossomed, though it wasn't without challenges. Clara struggled with the overwhelming world of wealth and the scrutiny that came with being associated with Ethan. Meanwhile, Ethan had to learn how to balance his demanding career with the simplicity Clara cherished.

One pivotal moment came when Ethan canceled an important meeting to attend Clara's first gallery showing. As he stood among her vibrant, emotional pieces, he realized how much she'd changed him. Her art was a reflection of her soul-raw, beautiful, and unpretentious.

"Why me?"Clara asked him later that night, as they stood on the rooftop of his penthouse, gazing at the city lights.

"Because you remind me of what matters," Ethan replied. "You're the only person who's ever looked at me and seen more than my bank account."

Their love story wasn't a fairy tale-it was real, messy, and imperfect. But it was theirs, and that was all that mattered.