Page 136 of Stronger Than Fate

“I was terrified.”

“I’m sorry you all had to go through something like this.”

“I’m sorry that you went through it. I would have given anything to be in your place so you wouldn’t have suffered,” he stated.

“It’s over now,” I said, caressing his face.

“I should have guessed that crazy woman was behind all this and I should have protected you better,” he lamented.

“Henry, I forbid you to blame yourself for this. No one is to blame, not even Sol, I think, because she’s not well. That woman who hurt me was mentally disturbed.”

“I don’t even want to think about her because I’d go wherever she is and strangle her with my bare hands.”

“Was she the one who drugged you?” I asked, though after what I had heard her tell me, I had no doubts.

“Yes, it was her. She confessed everything.”

“I love you, my love; I love you so much that when she was standing in front of me, all I could think about was you and that I might never see you again.”

“Don’t even say that…” He leaned in and gave me a sweet kiss on the lips. “I love you, Dalina. I went crazy when I found out what had happened to you. I’ve never felt so much fear and anguish in my life. If something had happened to you…”

“Shhh, we’re together now.”

“And we’re not going to be apart anymore,” he affirmed, and kissed me again.

“I have something for you,” I said, and took out his gift from under the blanket where I had hidden it.

“What’s this?” he asked, surprised.

“It’s your Christmas gift. Niky knew I had bought it for you and she just gave it to me.”

Still surprised, he took the gift, kissed me sweetly, and began to unwrap it very carefully before opening the box with anticipation. He took out the watch and looked at it astonished, and when he turned it over and read the inscription, he looked up, stared at me intently, and hugged me.

“This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever received. I love you, my Dalina, I love you so much I can’t even explain it.”

“And I love you too. May I have the honor?” I asked, pointing to the watch.

“The honor is mine,” he said, extending his arm so I could put it on him. “I’ll never part with this watch.”

He kept looking at the watch, now on his wrist, with indescribable emotion. After observing it for a long time, he raised his eyes to mine and hugged me again.

“Promise me you’ll never leave me, I couldn’t bear it,” he pleaded.

“You know I can’t make that promise, but I can promise you that as long as life allows, I’ll be by your side loving you with all my heart. In the end, it seems you were right and we are stronger than destiny.”

“We are, our love is what strengthens us and we’ll be able to face anything,” he affirmed, giving me a sweet kiss on the lips.

At that moment, there was a gentle knock on the door and Henry moved away from me. My friend Sean’s head peeked in and our eyes met. He entered the room and in two strides was by my side, taking my hand. Henry watched us attentively and, from his expression, it was clear that Sean’s closeness bothered him, but my friend didn’t even notice.

“Dali, how wonderful to see you awake. You can’t imagine how scared we were. Now I can finally breathe again.”

“I know, I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize. How is any of this your fault? You were the victim.”

“Thank you for coming.”

“How could I not be by your side? I couldn’t believe it. That woman fooled us all, it’s like we grew up with the enemy.”