Page 107 of Of Vows and Betrayal

He looks down at the box in his hand, brushing his finger on the velvety top. “I’m not sure I want to know. I’m grateful as hell you’re with me, but it will drive me crazy. When I left, you all but hated me, and when I came back—” He shrugs, looking lost.

“Ah,” I say, slipping into the shirt and coming to stand between his open thighs. “Derek and Tiago told me about the life you all had growing up.”

He looks up, and the explanation in his eyes is pained again. “So it’s pity? Because if it is, don’t. I just can’t bear?—”

I grip his face in my hands and kiss him hard. “There’s no pity,” I say after breaking the kiss. “You got dealt shitty cards, and you managed. No, I never hated you, not really. I think it was because I loved you so much that I was hurt. The boys explained your need to defend and protect, and I understood things so much better. The way you gave me all my dreams back without asking for anything showed me that you aren’t trying to dominate or control me—you wantme to shine. Being away from you helped me understand that. I was grieving, Javier, and it was so much easier to blame you for everything than to face my own pain.”

I run my hand through his hair before letting it trail down his face to his sharp jawline. “But I had no reason to blame myself, just like I had no reason to blame you. You were wronged so badly so many years ago, and I’m humbled, truly, that you wanted to let go of your revenge for me.”

He rests his hands on my hips. “Loving you, being loved by you, was worth all the revenge in the world. I just realized it too late.”

I lean in, resting my forehead against his. “No, you realized it just in time. We have a future ahead of us, and we’ll make it beautiful together.”

He looks into my eyes, the heaviness of his love and regret palpable. “I’ll spend every day making it up to you.”

“You already are,” I whisper, kissing him softly. “Now, let’s start today right—together.”

He kisses me slowly, lovingly, and I’m about to fall back into bed with him when he finally pulls away, allowing me to go back to my room on shaky legs.

I love this man, and I know he loves me just as deeply. We both made mistakes, some more costly than others, but I’m certain we’ll make it. We will always fight for what we believe is right, and we will always love each other unconditionally.

Epilogue - Javier

Six Months Later

Istand on the balcony of our room in London, the cool night air brushing against my skin. The iconic London Bridge is illuminated in the distance, its reflection shimmering on the Thames. Beside me, Ophelia gazes at the sight with wide eyes, her face glowing with awe and wonder.

She will never know how much I love her, how everything in my life revolves around her. The thought of her smile, her laughter, her love—it’s the center of my universe. I glance at my watch, my heart hammering with anticipation. The moment I’ve been planning for months is about to unfold.

I stand behind her and wrap my arms around her waist.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” she whispers, her voice filled with amazement.

“Not as beautiful as you,” I reply, kissing the crook of her neck.

She turns to look at me, a smile playing on herlips. “You always say that.”

“Because nothing is more beautiful than you.” I take a deep breath, steadying myself. “Turn back around, sunshine. I have something special planned tonight.”

Her eyebrows arch with curiosity. “Special? What do you mean?”

I nod toward the bridge. “Just wait and see.”

As if on cue, the lights on London Bridge begin to dim, casting the entire area into darkness. Ophelia gasps, her hands instinctively tightening on my arms. The air is filled with a hushed anticipation, the city holding its breath.

Then, slowly, the bridge lights up again, but this time with a brilliant, dazzling display. Lights dance across the structure, creating patterns and shapes that mesmerize the onlookers. The lights form words, glowing brightly against the night sky: “Ophelia, will you marry me?”

She turns to me, her eyes wide with shock and tears welling up. “Javier…”

But it’s not over yet. From beneath the bridge, a fleet of boats emerges, each adorned with sparkling lights. As they glide across the water, they form a breathtaking heart shape, perfectly framing the illuminated proposal on the bridge.

And then, the final touch. Fireworks explode in the sky, painting the night with vibrant colors. The air is filled with the sound of celebration, each burst of light echoing the pounding of my heart. I drop to one knee, pulling out the same black velvety box I had shown her in the bedroom.

“Ophelia,” I say, my voice trembling with emotion. “I think I loved you from the moment my eyes locked with yours. You are making my life a miracle. You made thecondo a home, a place I long to return to. You are my world, my everything. I love you more and more each day. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Tears stream down her cheeks as she nods, unable to speak. I slip the ring onto her finger, a perfect fit, just like she is for me. I stand, pull her into my arms, and kiss her with all the love and passion I feel.

“This is the most insane proposal,” she whispers, wrapping her arms around my neck.

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