The Vane Estate in the Hudson Valley is a skeleton. Ivy climbs the limestone walls like veins. Inside, the air is thick with the perfume of things left behind. "The rot hasn't reached the foundation yet," Silas says, his white dress shirt rolled up to his elbows.

"I see the story," I say, touching a jagged fissure. "The cracks are the house's memory of surviving."

He stops behind me. "Is that what your scars are, too? Memories? Show me."

Slowly, I let him slide the fabric of my sleeve up. The silver jagged line is revealed. Silas doesn't flinch. He takes my hand, his touch electric. "This one," he says, "is where the structure almost failed."

"It did fail," I choke out.

"No. If it failed, you wouldn't be standing here." He looks up, his dark eyes locking onto mine. "Most men want to paint over the damage, Mira. But Silas Vane... I want the truth. I want to memorize every line." He leans in, his lips inches from mine. "I'm learning you. And I’m realizing that my blueprints were all wrong. I didn't know beauty could be this broken." As his mouth meets mine, I realize we aren't here to restore a house. We’re here to see if two fractured things can finally hold each other up.

"I didn't know beauty could be this broken." 🥺 Silas's tender reaction to Mira's scars completely melted our hearts! What was your favorite moment from their beautiful first kiss? Tell us in the comments! 💬 Tap that ❤️ if you love a hero who embraces every flaw, and share this healing romance with a friend. 🏛️🖤 #RomanticAudioClub