Page 35 of Stalker Daddy

The stalker is caught, and Vito is with me until the end.This will work out just fine as long as I put my heart into it.

“I’m ready,” I say.

He chuckles.“I will be right there with you.”

A big part of me thought that he would stop me from performing since I did just have a close encounter with my stalker, but I’m determined, and he must have seen the stubbornness in my eyes as well as the undeterred tone of my voice.

He escorts me backstage with the curtains drawn.The heaviness reflects the emotions in my stomach as he stands with me, arm around my shoulder and lips finding mine to seek comfort in his own way.

“I’m okay.”I rub his cheek and trail down his strong jawline before tracing the thick scar on his neck.

“Why didn’t you call for me?”he asks, voice rumbling and deep as it shoots a thrilling shiver down my toes.

I shake my head.“It was my mess, and I wanted to deal with it on my own.She wasn’t there to hurt me, Clarissa wanted me to know why she did what she did.In a way, she was looking out for me, too.”

He grunts, eyes narrowing at my explanation.“She wasn’t protecting you.She was trying to kill you through fear.”

“Maybe,” I hum quietly, brushing the smooth surface of the violin.“In her mind, she was protecting me from you because she thought that you were bad for me.”

“I’m not,” he denies.

He doesn’t have to tell me.I know from the bottom of my heart that this man is everything I need, and Clarissa is just a fan who had indulged in her fantasy for far too long without help.

“I’m here for you, and I will always put you first.”His kiss seals the promise, and I greedily hold onto it as I smile against his lips.

“When you come back,” he says as he takes my hand and rubs my ring finger.“I want to ask you something.”

The insinuation is obvious, and I laugh with happiness.Blissful glee simmers in my belly as I nod at the no-so-mysterious ambiguity.

“Make sure to watch me,” I tell him as he begins to pull away.

“I never stopped.”He goes to stand by the edge where the crowd can’t see him, but I can when I need emotional support.

The curtain draws open.Bright lights shine through the stage as clapping roars through the hall.

This is the transition into a new beginning.No more stalking and paranoia, no more wallowing in misery at my parents’ disapproval, and no more doubting myself.I have made it this far, and it’s all because of the people I cherish who supported me through rough times.

I had hoped that my parents would come to see this performance, and maybe they’ll understand why I love the violin so much, but I don’t see them in the seats that I had reserved for them.

That’s alright, I think peacefully as the lights dim.My eyes follow the crowd from one end to another before I make eye contact with Vito.

He smiles.

I’m ready.

Epilogue

___________

Vito

Four Years Later

My wife is so loved by the community that sometimes I feel that I’m sharing her with everyone.It took me a while to accept that I can’t have every piece of Fia to myself.

She had sat me down, and we talked about my possessiveness.I admit to her that it’s a part of me that will always resent everyone who has her attention, but we have come to a compromise.

No matter what people think or what they do, Fia put an end to any attempts to court her, and I can step in when I am uncomfortable with a situation.

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