Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 110351 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 552(@200wpm)___ 441(@250wpm)___ 368(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110351 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 552(@200wpm)___ 441(@250wpm)___ 368(@300wpm)
I bite my lip, the weight of his words sinking in.
“But it’s not just about me dealing with the media, Santi. Don’t you get it? They’ve dragged my students, my school, into this mess. I’ve worked so hard to build something meaningful, and now it’s all overshadowed by... by us. My professionalism has been slaughtered by me being your girlfriend.”
The words hang in the air, heavy and unspoken until now. His jaw tightens for a moment before he leans forward again, his voice low and steady.
“You’re more than just my girlfriend, Olivia. You know that, right?”
I don’t respond, and he frowns, though his frustration is giving way to something gentler.
“I hate that this has hurt you,” he says, his tone quieter now. “I hate that I can’t shield you from it. But you are the love of my life, and running away from me isn’t the answer.”
My breath catches, and I look up at him, stunned.
Love of his life?
My chest tightens at the sheer certainty in his words, at the way he says it like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
“Santi,” I whisper, shaking my head. “You don’t mean that -”
“Yes, I do,” he cuts in, his voice firm but gentle. He shifts closer, leaning forward in the chair until he’s practically at the edge of it. “I’ve known it for a long time now. You’re not just someone I want in my life, Olivia. You’re the person I want to build a life with. And I know this is hard. I know it feels impossible right now. But the thought of you running away from me... it breaks me.”
Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, and I swipe at them with the back of my hand, overwhelmed by the raw emotion in his voice.
“Santi, I feel like I’m ruining everything. Your life, your career -”
“Stop,” he says firmly, cutting me off. He reaches out, his tanned hand brushing against mine. “You’re not ruining anything. Do you hear me? Nothing. My life is better with you in it, Olivia. Not because you’re perfect or because you have it all figured out, but because you’re you. And that’s enough.”
My chest aches at his words, at the sheer conviction in his tone.
“I don’t feel like enough,” I admit, my voice breaking.
He moves from the chair to sit beside me on the sofa, his knee brushing against mine. He takes my hand in his, his thumb tracing slow, soothing circles over my skin.
“You don’t have to feel like enough right now,” he says gently. “But you are. You always have been. And you always will be to me.”
I let out a shaky breath, the tears I’ve been holding back spilling over. “I just don’t know how to do this, Santi. I feel like I’m drowning in it all. The media, the pressure, the way people look at me. And now my school, my students... I didn’t sign up for any of this.”
His hand tightens around mine, and when I look up at him, his green eyes are filled with a mix of empathy and determination.
“I know you didn’t,” he says softly. “But you don’t have to face it alone. We’ll figure it out together, step by step. And if you ever feel like it’s too much, I’ll be there to carry as much of it as I can. Because that’s what you do when you love someone.”
I stare at him, his words wrapping around me like a lifeline. There’s a vulnerability in his eyes - an openness I’ve rarely seen in anyone - and it’s enough to chip away at the walls I’ve been building around myself.
“I’m scared,” I admit, my voice trembling.
“I know,” he says, his thumb brushing away the tear that rolls down my cheek. “But no matter how scary it gets, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll fight for us - for you - every single day. I swear.”
My heart feels like it’s breaking and healing all at once, the weight of his love pressing against the doubts I’ve been carrying for weeks.
“I don’t deserve you,” I whisper, my voice breaking under the weight of everything I’m feeling.
The guilt, the fear, the overwhelming sense of being so small in a world that feels too big for me- - it all comes rushing out in those four words.
“Maybe not,” Santi replies, his lips curving into a small, teasing smile. But the warmth in his tone, the softness in his eyes, takes the sting out of his words.
He shifts closer, his presence solid, strong and secure.
“Or maybe I don’t deserve you. Either way, I don’t care.” His hand cups my cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over my skin, and his gaze locks onto mine with an intensity that makes my breath hitch. “You’re mine, Olivia. And I’m yours. Always.”
The certainty in his voice is enough to undo me. My chest tightens, my throat constricting as tears blur my vision.