Page 165 of Wild Tangled Hearts

Five years ago, this moment seemed like a distant dream, but now, it’s my reality. Tonight is my very first art premiere, and I can’t believe how far I’ve come. The gallery is bathed in soft, warm light, casting a golden glow over the vibrant paintings adorning the walls. Each canvas holds a piece of my soul, a testament to my passion and dedication to art.

As I scan the room, my eyes land on the person who’s been my biggest cheerleader through it all — Sebastian. He catches me watching him, and his grin widens as he makes his way towards me.

“You did it,” he whispers against the shell of my ear, his voice filled with pride. “After tonight, the world will know the name Bella Sinclair.”

“I couldn’t have done it without you.” It’s true even though he’ll deny it. Because of him, I was able to focus on my art, and only teach part-time.

“We make a good team.”

“We do,” I agree.

I’m so proud of the advocate he’s become for bringing awareness to cystic fibrosis. He’s opened up publicly about his battle with the disease, and together, we’ve turned his struggle into a source of strength and hope for others facing the same challenge.

Life is good.

Of course, it comes with its struggles too — those inevitable lung infections and hospital stays that remind us of the fragility of life. But even in those difficult moments, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Loving someone who’s battling a terminal illness is a wake-up call to soak up life’s beautiful, fleeting moments. When you’re with them, you realize how courage can be a powerful force, and it teaches you to find happiness in the simplest things, like sharing a laugh or just feeling their heartbeat next to yours.

He wraps an arm around my waist, his eyes sparkling playfully. “You know, now that your art career is taking off, we should celebrate with a world tour.”

I laugh. “A world tour, huh? Where would you like to go first?”

He pretends to ponder, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “Well,” he begins with a mischievous glint in his eyes, “we could start in Paris, of course, for a taste of romance and culture. Then, perhaps we’ll rent a villa in Tuscany, where we can sip wine and dine on delicious Italian cuisine. And, don’t forget your favorite, a week in the Azores for that perfect blend of tranquility and natural beauty.”

I pause, studying his face. It’s not like Sebastian to plan such elaborate trips on the spot. The realization dawns on me, and I see the sincerity in his eyes.He’s serious.

“You’ve already planned it, haven’t you?”

My heart swells with emotion as I grasp the magnitude of his proposal. The absence of children in our lives, a conscious choice we made, has allowed us to indulge in our shared passion for travel. It’s one of the things that has inspired my paintings, the vibrant colors of the world we’ve explored together.

Sebastian’s smile widens, and he nods. He doesn’t need to say a word; his eyes tell me everything.

Unable to contain my emotions, I throw my arms around him, holding him tightly. “You’re amazing,” I whisper.

“I was going to tell you later,” he admits. “I’m stepping down as CEO so we can spend more time together.”

His lips brush over mine, and I don’t care that we’ve gathered a small crowd of onlookers and photographers. Let them capture our love.

“Nothing is more important to me than being with you,” he says, thumb stroking my cheek.

I smile against his mouth, and whisper a quote that’s become my daily mantra, “In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take and the moments we didn’t savor.”

Sebastian’s eyes lock onto mine, and he nods in understanding. We both know that life is too short not to seize every opportunity for love, adventure, and happiness.

Reader’s Choice:

What would you like to do next?

End your journey and go to the Afterward. Turn to this page.

Go back to the beginning and start a new story with Bella. Turn to this page.

Chapter78

Sebastian

A NURSERY OF DREAMS

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