MONTHS LATER

The Sicilian sun bathes the garden in golden light, warming my skin as a gentle Mediterranean breeze carries the sweet scent of blooming jasmine and citrus trees. Pink and blue balloons dance between the ancient olive trees, adding a touch of whimsy to the elegant outdoor celebration. I watch my sister and her husband sharing secret smiles across the decorated patio, their hands intertwined over her growing belly. The sight of them, so in love and excited about their baby girl, seems almost surreal. If anyone had told Melina a year ago that she'd be here today, hosting her own baby shower in this beautiful garden, she would have called them crazy. Yet here we are, and my heart could burst with happiness for her.

My thoughts drift to this morning – to Rafael's muscular arms wrapped around me, his voice husky with sleep as he made a fuss about me attending Melina's baby shower today. My devil might have let go of his revenge against Thomas, but the hatred still lingered. Forgiveness wasn't in his vocabulary when it came to him.

I let out a soft sigh as my thoughts drift to the whirlwind of the past few months. Rafael recovered fully after everything with his father. To everyone's shock, it was Caroline who had sent the anonymous warnings about him being in danger. She'd been under Andrés' control, but she'd found a way to get hold of his phone and send those life-saving messages.

I've forgiven her. I know her actions weren't truly her own. She's braver than she believes, and I'll always be grateful to her for what she risked.

Miguel has moved on as well. Just last week, he brought home a sweet, shy girlfriend, and Julio hasn't stopped teasing him about it since. Julio, for his part, is still smitten with Carla. He's itching to marry her, though she's been taking her time, needing to heal from the pain of her past.

Then there's Pedro, who somehow keeps all of us grounded. He's the father figure none of us realized we needed, and he shoulders the role with quiet strength, especially when it comes to keeping Miguel out of trouble.

And little Danny—he's always full of energy, running around and making us laugh. Despite his young age, Danny has a way of lightening the mood, keeping us all from taking life too seriously. He's a reminder that there's always room for joy in our lives, no matter how heavy things get.

"Your baby is going to be the cutest in the world," someone says beside me, pulling me from my thoughts.

It's Melissa, Melina's sister-in-law and her closest friend. Her words make me pause, and for a moment, my hand falls to my own flat stomach.

I bite my lip, swallowing the familiar ache. Rafael and I can't have children. I did things to my body long ago to ensure I'd never bear my father's child, decisions made out of desperation and survival. Now, those choices haunt me, robbing me of the chance to have a baby of my own.

Rafael says he's okay with it and swears it doesn't matter to him. But I know how important an heir is to him, to his legacy. I can't help but dream of a child—a little one with his green eyes and my stubbornness, a mix of us both. My heart clenches at the thought that it might never happen.

The sound of raised voices pulls me from my spiraling thoughts. Blinking back to the present, I turn, and my eyes widen in shock.

Rafael is here.

He's standing nose to nose with Thomas, the tension between them crackling like a live wire. I leap out of my chair and rush over, slipping between them.

"Baby, what are you doing here?" I ask, looking up at Rafael.

His hand immediately wraps around my waist, pulling me to his side. The possessiveness in the gesture is unmistakable, as is the fire in his glare directed at Thomas.

"You left your phone in the car," Rafael says flatly, handing it to me without taking his eyes off Thomas.

I stretch up to kiss his cheek, feeling his tension. "Thank you."

His lip curls with disgust as he surveys the cheerful decorations. "Are you finished here? I don't want you spending another second in this place."

"Almost," I soothe, running my hand along his arm to calm him. "I haven't told Melina about us yet."

His gaze softens slightly, though his irritation simmers just beneath the surface. I'd planned to tell Melina about us after the baby shower.

"Us?" a voice cuts through the air, sharp and disbelieving.

I whirl around, and my stomach drops when I see Melina standing there, her face a mixture of hurt and confusion.

Shit.

"I can explain," I begin, but the words stick in my throat.

"I'm listening," she replies, her tone edged with betrayal. Her arms are crossed, and her eyes bore into mine.

Before I can find my voice, Rafael's deep tone fills the silence. "I love your sister."

"What?" Melina's eyes go wide as she spins to face Thomas, whose calm expression tells its own story. "You knew?"

"It wasn't my story to tell," Thomas replies gently.

"Then whose?"

"Mine." I swallow hard, gripping Rafael's hand as if it's the only thing keeping me grounded.

I take a deep breath and let the words spill out—everything, from the beginning to the end. Rafael's hand moves in a soothing rhythm on my waist, silently encouraging me to keep going even as Melina's expression shifts from disbelief to something unreadable.

By the time I finish, my sister isn't looking at me anymore. Her eyes are locked on Rafael, narrowed with suspicion.

"He's the one you told me about?" she asks, her voice tight.

I nod, my throat dry. Melina is my best friend. It's always been hard to keep secrets from her, and I'd told her about Rafael before—just not everything. I left out the part where he's the Don of the Mexican cartel and Thomas's sworn enemy.

Melina steps closer to Rafael, her protective instincts flaring. Thomas shadows her movement but doesn't interfere. "Why should I believe you love my sister?"

Rafael meets her gaze without flinching. "The only reason this estate is still standing is because of her," he says simply.

Melina's brows furrow, her confusion evident. Then, as if a light flicks on, her eyes widen.

"You gave up your revenge because of Frankie?" she asks, her voice trembling as she spins to face Thomas.

Thomas nods once, his expression serious.

"You really love her," Melina whispers, her tone filled with disbelief.

Rafael smirks, that signature confidence slipping into his voice. "She's the reason I bother waking up each day." His hand slides to my waist, and he buries his face in the curve of my neck, inhaling deeply. A shiver races down my spine at the warmth of his touch.

Melina blinks back tears, her lips trembling into a soft smile. "I'm so happy for you, sis," she says, her voice breaking. "It might be a lot to take in right now, but still happy."

"Thank you," I whisper, taking her hand in mine. My smile is radiant, and for the first time in a long while, I feel a deep sense of peace.

We return to the party, and Melina does everything in her power to make Rafael feel comfortable. I know it's for my sake, but Rafael doesn't seem to care. He keeps his guard up around the Costanzos, and I can't blame him.

Still, as the day wears on, I see small moments of thawing between him and Melina. By the time we leave that evening, they've found a fragile understanding, and my heart swells with gratitude.

As we settle into the plane, Rafael pulls me onto his lap, wrapping his arms around me. His warmth is steady and reassuring, grounding me after the whirlwind of the day.

"Are you happy, amor?" he asks, his voice low and intimate.

"Yes. Very happy," I reply, my hands sliding around his neck. Watching him and Melina today was everything I'd dreamed of.

"I'm glad," he murmurs, his lips curving into a rare smile. He leans in and kisses me, slow and deep, pouring every unspoken emotion into the moment.

The kiss deepens, and we don't pull away. One touch leads to another, and soon, we're in the bedroom. Rafael lays me down, his lips trailing over every inch of my skin, worshiping me in a way that makes my heart swell.

Gasps and moans escape me, my body arching toward him, toes curling in pleasure. In his arms, I feel cherished, adored—like the most loved woman in the world.

And for Rafael, the man who once claimed to be incapable of love, I know I've become his everything.