Page 110 of Shades of Loyalty
“If they’ve been able to do this, we can, too.”
His gaze turns towards me, his eyes teary. The reflection of the fireplace is in them.
“But she died. Because ofthis. I can’t have this happen to you, too.”
I stay still. Fuck. He’s not wrong. But all this time, I was always his number one priority. He never got me or my daughter into any dangerous situations.
He always protected me first. Then himself.
And it means everything to me.
“I want to be with you, Daniel. Forever.”
It makes me think of the necklace which is lying in the nightstand. This morning, I didn’t want to put it on. It felt like a sin.
Wearing the necklace that she gave me.
But at the same time, accepting it… It felt like a promise to her. To stay with her son forever. So, I will.
It’s the least I can do for Lilia after she trusted me this much.
His eyes look at me in pain. “Please don’t leave me once you find out about the monster I am.”
“I won’t. I promise you that. Just promise me you won’t leave, either.”
He nods. “I promise, pretty. I’ll always be by your side”, he slides my hair behind my ear as he kisses me gently. I sigh into the kiss, taking him in completely. “Princess… I’ll always protect you. With my life.”
I lower my head, looking down. “Can I tell you something, as well?”
Daniel smiles, knowing exactly what I’m doing. He opened up to me. It’s only fair I do the same.
“Yes, pretty. Always.”
I smile at him, but it falters for a second as I gather my thoughts.Where do I even start?I have no idea.
“…I’ve been alone for a long time before we met, Daniel,” I admit, my voice softer now.
“Once my ex found out I was pregnant, he broke up with me immediately. He moved, but I have no idea where, really. We never talked again. He never met her. Not even once.”
Daniel listens to me, not interrupting me for even a second. He looks at me and keeps his focus on me.
However, his expression makes him look like he wants to strangle my ex. For hurting me? For never taking care of Mary? I don’t know.
What I do know though, is that I’m over this man. And I’m happy he left.
Because if he stayed with us, I wouldn’t be here. And Daniel is giving me everything that he couldn’t.
Love. Comfort.Safety.
“After Mary’s father left, I— I never really let anyone in. I had to be strong for her, and at some point, I just… stopped believing in love. Or at least, that love could last for me, you know.”
His brows furrow, his grip on my hand tightening just slightly. “Pretty…”
I shake my head. “I’m not saying this to make you feel bad. I just— I guess I want you to know why this is scary for me, too. Why I took so long to admit how much I loveyou.” My breath hitches on the wordlove, but I push through.
“Because every time I let myself need someone, they leave. And I don’t think I could handle that again.”
Daniel stares at me for a long moment, something unreadable in his eyes. Then, he cups my face so gently it almost breaks me. “I’m not leaving you,” he murmurs. “Not now. Not ever.”
