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We, as Vitalises, were born into paths predetermined by family tradition, with destinies written in our very veins.

I watched her gracefully enter the bookstore, following closely and taking in every detail of her elegant movements. She carried herself with ease and confidence, her head held high, exuding an inner pride that clearly reflected her self-awareness.

Despite what those men had attempted, they couldn’t break her spirit. Her resilience was far too strong to be crushed by anything they did.

“Look at this book,” Cali called, as she reached for a volume on the shelf and presented it to me as if it were a hidden treasure.

Curious, I asked, “What is it?”

“It’s a book about plants,” she explained with a wink, “but not just any plants—these are the ones that might be the key to achieving one’s goals.”

I tilted my head, examining the title with curiosity. “Wicked weeds? A collection of poisonous botanicals?”

She responded with a mix of humor and sincerity. “Hey, you never know when you might require a specific piece of knowledge to shield yourself.”

I nodded in agreement. “That’s true. Fortunately, thanks to Vik, we have acquired the necessary skills for effective protection.”

Her smile grew reflective as she admitted, “I used to despise those endless hours of training he forced on us, but now I’m truly grateful for the skills I’ve gained.”

“Me too,” I replied. “Cali, I can’t express how thrilled I am to see that spark returning in your eyes.”

“Thanks, I feel good. I think I’m ready, Laya,” she confided.

A thrill of anticipation ignited my voice as I suggested, “Once we get back home, we should call Avra and share the news.”

“Yes,” she affirmed, taking the book from my hand and tucking it under her arm like a treasured secret. “I’m getting this. It’s all for research.”

“Research, of course.” I nodded in agreement. “What else would you call it?”

I linked my arm with hers as we strolled through the labyrinth of shelves, where the aroma of old paper and ink enveloped us, creating an ambiance perfect for curiosity and exploration.

As we approached the section dedicated to romance and desire, she stopped before a display and took another book from the shelf.

“Perhaps you need this?” she held up a volume on the Kama Sutra, while wagging her brows and pursing her lips.

“Seriously?” I rolled my eyes and pointed to the shelf. “I believe I’m managing just fine. Put that back.”

“If you say so,” she replied, carefully setting the book down while flashing an adorable smirk. “I hope that one day I find someone with as much passion for me as Niko has for you.”

“Cali, you’re an incredible woman.” I smiled. “Any man would count his blessings to have you by his side. I honestly don’t think you have anything to worry about in that area.”

“You and Avra make it look almost effortless,” she mused.

“What? Marriage?” I asked, half-amused, half-incredulous.

“Yeah,” she shrugged, but it was evident she worried about her future. “Everyone says marriage is a daily effort—if you don’t give it constant attention, the spark fades away.”

“That’s true,” I conceded, “but when you find someone who is genuinely compatible and equally invested in the relationship, it hardly feels like work. That’s why it seems so natural between us. It really is that easy.”

“You two made the right choice,” she remarked.

“We did,” I replied with a contented sigh. “I wasn’t sure we would, but everything turned out better than we ever expected.”

“I want that too,” she murmured, and I pulled her into a tight hug.

“You’ll find exactly what you’re looking for, Cali. I promise,” I murmured in her ear.

She drew back and nodded in acknowledgement. “I know.”