09

9

Matias looked at me briefly before bowing his head, letting out a quiet laugh. "I'll have a drink," he said.

That particular day, he consumed five entire bottles of liquor, immersing himself in his misery, only to see Clayton whisk me away.

"Irene, I was there for you, but I had no claim to your affection."

"I bore that anguish for eight years."

"At last, fate has smiled upon me."

With those words, Matias embraced me, kissing me repeatedly as if he had finally obtained a long-coveted prize.

"Irene, you're my guiding light."

As I grinned and made to depart, he caught my hand, kneeling before me. He produced a ring from his pocket, his eyes brimming with anticipation and adoration.

"Irene, be my wife."

"I won't repeat Clayton's mistakes. I've waited eight years for you, and I'll cherish and safeguard you for the rest of our days."

His sincere gaze nearly crumbled the defenses I had constructed around my heart.

I wavered momentarily, but then I yielded.