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Her freedom will be taken from her.

And I won’t be the monster responsible for that.

So, tomorrow… It’s time to do what I should have done weeks ago.

I lean forward and press a soft kiss to her lips.

One last time.

Savoring everything about this moment.

Everything about her.

Chapter twenty-five

Charlotte

Colors blend beneath my brush as it glides across the canvas, creating a colorful version of what I see before me. Shades of blue, pink, yellow, and green swirl together, creating flowers so lifelike I feel as if I could reach out and grab one.

The door behind me opens, and I don’t have to look behind me to know who it is. Alex approaches quietly, his presence overtaking every thought in my mind as he stands behind me, lowers his head, and presses a tender kiss to the side of my neck, igniting a pleasant shiver down my spine.

Something changed between us last night.

I feel it in every cell of my body.

Every beat of my heart.

Like the missing piece of our puzzle was set in place, causing the tether between us to become tighter, stronger… Maybe even unbreakable. Solidifying everything I feel toward him.

That he’s the one who has awakened my cold heart, making it beat for the first time in my life for another. Something I’ve always wondered if it was capable of doing.

And I was so close to telling him those three words.

They sat on the tip of my tongue, ready to escape into the universe. But fear dug its claws around my throat, stopping me from uttering anything.

“This is stunning,” he says, leaning closer to admire the painting. “You told me you were okay at painting, but I think that’s a pretty significant understatement.”

I smile, a blush spreading over my cheeks. “Thank you.” I set the brush down on the table and grab a cloth to wipe my hands. “It’s been a while since I’ve painted purely for fun. I’d almost forgotten how much I enjoy it.” Swiveling in my seat, I look up at him.

He sets the baby monitor and a folder on the side table, then reaches for me. His hands cradle my cheeks, his thumbs brushing lightly against my skin. “You should do it more often.” His lips curve into a handsome smile. “You’re practically glowing.”

I bite down on my bottom lip, holding back the grin that wants to blossom across my face.

Yeah, painting may have something small to do with the happiness inside me. But the real reason my heart feels ready to burst out of my chest has everything to do with the man standing before me. The one who continually graces me with a kindness I’ve never been offered and a gentle touch I’m not entirely sure I’ll ever tire of.

He’s shown me a whole new life I never imagined I would be lucky enough to experience. A future I look forward to, not fear.

Sometimes I have to pinch myself because it’s all starting to feel like a dream I never want to wake up from.

“I can’t recall ever feeling this happy before,” I admit softly. Most men in this world would use this sentiment against me. Remind me of my place as a woman in their world and be on with their day.

But not Alex.

His eyes soften as he leans down and brushes his lips against mine. “You deserve to always feel this way.” He rolls his forehead against mine, his hand sliding around my neck, his thumb dusting over my fluttering pulse.

The words settle deep in my chest, igniting a need within me to tell him everything. Like how slowly but surely, he brought my heart back to life. And how my biggest fear is walking out of these gates and never seeing him or Clara again.

Just as my lips part, he steps back, and the distance between us hits me immediately.