I could feel my chest so free and light, I mumbled happily while watching the breeze in front of me.
Erik placed the coffee beside me and sat down on the bench too. Instead of staying inside the coffee shop, I preferred to be in this spot. This was where I always hung out before, ever since I was taken and problems weighed heavily on me. I felt that here, nobody knew me, and I was free to feel even a little peace, something I no longer felt in our home.
“Congratulations. At least, in the end, he really did sign it.”
I nodded joyfully at him.
“I considered that his way of really giving me freedom.”
And honestly, it meant a lot to me. When I went there, I no longer cared how they would make Darius sign. I just warned them there was nothing to lose if I faced the court. If I fought, even if they spent a huge amount.
But for them, there was something to lose. I would use the fact that they’re Lucans, possessive and unbearable, and the adultery too. I knew Darius‘ father would never let that happen because if their name was ruined, the position they had worked hard for so many years would also be destroyed.
“He said he won’t trouble you,” Erik said. “You can now pursue starting new things. And even try to give your love life a chance.”
I laughed at what I heard, glanced at him sideways, and pointed at myself.
“Me? Do I still have a chance? I am a widower. Maybe after years, if I’m still attractive and not from a place where people know what I’ve been through, maybe then.”
He adjusted his seat at what I said, turning to face me as if he wanted to talk directly because he didn’t like what I said.
“What do you mean you’re a widower? What is that supposed to mean?” he asked, frowning.
Tfaced him and smiled. “There are still many in our time who don’t accept a woman
coming out of a marriage.”
“Then you decline those boys and find a man,” he said seriously to me. “There are people who wouldn’t judge you for who you are, for what happened to you before, and for what you have become. Someone who would love you despite everything.”
I bit my lip because somehow I felt shy at how he looked at me as if he saw more than just what I am.
When I met Darius before, I was clean, fresh, I was everything a man could wish for but now… I lost a lot because I suffered hardships beyond the physical.
“But most of you dream of starting a family, and that means wanting children. While I…” my voice weakened. “I’m only a wife.”
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I saw how his lips parted in shock because of all the words I had just said. It seemed he still could not belleve what he heard from me.
“You’ve overcome a lot and still doubt yourself? You’re always enough, Rosella.” He swallowed and took my hand. “To me, you’re more than enough, especially someone who loves you.”
Tears welled up in my eyes at what I heard. When was the last time I heard those words? A long time ago. It felt like the words ‘you are more than enough‘ and ‘you are enough‘ expired since I learned I could no longer have children.
It really feels good because maybe I had already forgotten that.
“Do you think someone will love me again?” I barely heard my voice because it was full of budding sadness.
Erik’s gaze lingered on me as he studied my face and every corner of it.
I “You’re not hard to love, Rosella. You’re still perfect in my eyes a I think it’s the same for others when they see and get to know you. Even me… I will love you fully because divorce is not enough a word to see you as less than other women.
I gasped in surprise and almost froze at what I heard. That’s just his perspective, right? That’s just a way to tell me I won’t rot alone because surely someone will still accept me after everything.
I looked at our entwined hands.
“Erik…” I whispered. That hold felt different, like it was trying to say something.
“I want you to love yourself first, Rosella. See the beauty in you, so when someone else loves you… when you’re ready to love someone… you won’t need to question what they see in you because you’ll already know. Because you love yourself, you’ll know you’re loved in every way.”
I had to bite my lips to stop myself from crying but when I looked at his eyes again, I saw my reflection there. Clear, bright, and somehow beautiful.
It was like I didn’t just see myself as a reflection but as how he looked at me and saw me.
“Erik…” I whispered out of myself. “Do you like me?”
I wanted to be ashamed of my question but the same eyes looking at me now were the same I saw before in Darius. Does that mean he has feelings for me? Is that why he said those words?
He chuckled and looked away, first but I saw him slightly nod.
“I think yes. Will that be a problem?” he asked, so proud as his eyes twinkled.
