Page 99 of Loving Violet
And that’s when it hits me. I could have lost her. I could have lost the best thing that has ever happened to me. I stare at her face, her eyes closed, sleeping peacefully. I trace the bruise on her cheek with my fingers and lean down to give her a gentle kiss on her lips. She doesn’t wake up while I admire her beauty.
Silent tears start to fall as the weight of everything crashes over me. The relief of having her safe, the terror of almost losing her, and the overwhelming love I feel for her all blend together. I haven’t even had time to think about John and what happened to him and his family, but I will soon. For now, I’m just grateful to have Violet safe and in my arms.
At some point, Violet stirs and wakes up. She sees the tears streaming down my face and reaches up to wipe them away.
“Austin,” she whispers, her voice full of concern. “What’s wrong?”
“I was so scared, Violet,” I admit, my voice cracking. “I thought I had time to tell you, but when you got taken, I felt like my world was crashing down on me. I was regretting not telling you how much I feel for you. How you literally came crashing into my life and changed me. How whenever I’m with you and Adrian, I feel complete. How you make me want things that I never thought I would want.”
I look into her beautiful eyes, seeing them fill with unshed tears. I smile tenderly at her and say the three words that I know will change everything. “I love you, Violet. And I can't spend another minute without telling you how I really feel. I’ve fallen in love with you every day since I met you, and I hope I have the rest of my life to show you how much you mean to me.”
Tears fill her eyes as she listens to my confession.
She squeezes my hand and pulls me closer. “I love you, too, Austin. More than words can say. Thank you for finding me. Thank you for not giving up on me. For helping me see that I deserve to be loved. For showing me with your actions what a real, healthy relationship is. God, I never thought that I was going to feel this much, but with you, I feel everything.”
We hold each other tightly, our hearts beating in sync. The fear and pain of the past day begins to fade, replaced by love and gratitude. We have a long road ahead of us, but as long as we have each other, I know we can face anything.
As Violet drifts back to sleep, I watch her, feeling more determined than ever to protect and cherish her. I won’t waste another moment. I will spend every day making sure she knows just how much she is loved by me.
Chapter 33
Violet
I wakeup to the sound of beeping and the strong smell of antiseptic.
Disoriented, I look around, trying to make sense of my surroundings. Slowly, the memories from the day before come crashing back: how I was taken by John, and how Austin found me in the woods when I thought I was going to die.
I remember Adrian, Josy, Noah, and Esteban being there, making sure I was okay. And then, I recall the beautiful words Austin said to me in the middle of the night, how he told me he loved me.
I look around my room and see Austin slumped in the chair by my bed, his head tilted awkwardly against the backrest, one arm crossed over his chest, the other hanging limply at his side. Even in a deep sleep, his presence feels steady, like an anchor holding me in place.
I watch him, unable to look away. The soft light from the window catches the lines of his face
the strong jaw, the curve of his cheekbone, the faint shadow of stubble. He looks tired, and I feel a pang of guilt knowing that’s because of me. He must’ve been up all night, running himself ragged trying to find me.
But beyond the guilt is something much stronger. Admiration. Gratitude. Love.
How did I get so lucky? Of all the people I could have bumped into on my first day at work, it was him. That simple, ordinary moment set off a chain reaction that I never could have predicted. And now, I can’t imagine my life without him.
My chest tightens at the thought. What would I do if I ever lost him? The mere idea feels unbearable, like a cold void opening up inside me. Austin isn’t just a part of my life now, he’s a part of me.
In such a short time, this man has done what I thought was impossible. He’s broken down every wall I built around my heart, every barrier I thought was impenetrable. For years, I carried the weight of pain and self-doubt, convinced that no one could ever see past the cracks and scars left by my marriage. But Austin? He didn’t just see them—he embraced them, held me close, and reminded me that I’m worth loving.
My heart aches, but not in the way it used to. It’s not the sharp, bitter sting of the past. This is different. It’s a warm ache, one that comes from healing, from realizing just how much someone cares about you.
I know I’m not fully healed. There are still days when the echoes of my past creep in, whispering lies about my worth, about who I am. But with Austin, those whispers are quieter. He’s been a fundamental part of my journey, a steady hand guiding me toward something brighter, something better.
I glance at his hand, resting loosely on the armrest of the chair, and resist the urge to reach out and take it. He’s given me so much—his kindness, his patience, his unwavering belief in me. And not just to me. To Adrian, too. The way he treats my son, with such love and respect, melts my heart in ways I can’t even describe.
I wasn’t lying when I told him I loved him. I love him in a way that scares me, in a way that feels bigger than anything I’ve ever known.
For now, I let myself simply watch him. The rise and fall of his chest, the slight furrow in his brow, even in sleep. I let myself relish this new love, this fragile, beautiful thing that feels like a second chance.
Whatever comes next, I know one thing for certain: Austin is my future. And I’m not letting go of that. Not ever.
A few moments pass and Austin stirs awake and looks at me. He smiles and stands up. “Good morning, beautiful. How are you feeling today?” He winces as he rubs his neck and tries to stretch. His face shows he’s not getting rid of that pain easily.
“I’m okay,” I reply, my voice a bit raspy. “But you look like you’re in pain.”
