Page 116 of Stronger Than Fate

“Thank you, Dalina.” He took the painkiller and asked: “Did I say anything to you yesterday?”

“Something like what?” I asked, not knowing what he was referring to.

“I don’t know, something that might have surprised you.”

“Actually, I was surprised to see you in that state, but we didn’t talk,” I replied, because you couldn’t really call the few words we exchanged a conversation.

“That’s right, I had forgotten that you talked with Waylon instead,” he said ironically.

“Why did you drink so much? You shouldn’t expose yourself like that when nothing is known yet about the person who attacked you.”

“Dalina…I…I…” He stood up suddenly and looked at me in terror. “I have to go.”

He quickly headed to the door, opened it and left without giving me time to ask anything.

What was that?, I asked myself, staring at the door he had just exited through. I truly didn't understand anything, I only knew that watching him leave felt like a stab of pain in my chest.

I couldn't continue like this. Henry came into my life like a whirlwind and left the same way. I had distanced myself from him and had done everything possible to avoid him, but once again destiny insisted on crossing our paths only to make us take different directions. When I watched him looking at me, I thought his eyes did so with love, but evidently I was wrong. Surely the love I felt for him made me delude myself and see things that didn't exist. Illusions were very powerful and could deceive you, but I needed to empty my pockets of these false hopes. I surrendered.

I got up and decided to do what I had planned—go to the gym. The difference was that a while ago I was doing it to burn energy; now my energy was at rock bottom. I was completely discouraged, but I couldn't allow that discouragement to win.

After the gym, I went back to the suite to shower and then down to the restaurant to have lunch. I had promised my brothers not to go out alone, and I was going to keep that promise.

While I was having lunch, I received a message from Lolo.

“Dali, don't forget that Friday

is our cousin Sara's wedding.

All 3 of us are going”

Me:

“Thanks for reminding me

because I had forgotten.

I like the idea of

the 3 of us going together”

Lolo:

“Me too”

We had received the invitation from our cousin while I was in Paris, and it was Lolo himself who had told me about it, but with all the craziness I'd experienced in the last few days, I didn't remember. I was excited about the idea of going out with my brothers and meeting up with some of our relatives. I still needed to buy a dress for the occasion, and it occurred to me that I could ask Niky to show me some of her designs. Thinking about her, I realized she hadn't contacted me again, which I found strange, but I preferred not to ask more about Henry. I no longer had that right.

I sent Niky a message, but about the dress.

“I have a wedding on Friday.

What day can I come by the

atelier to try on a dress?

Kiss”

Her response didn't take long: