Chapter 50 I Trusted You

Chapter 50 I Trusted You
James’s P.O.V.

“What are you talking about, James? You’re kidding, right?”

Just don’t back off, James. It’s high time. You can’t hide your love for his daughter forever.

I compose myself and answer Denver in a serious tone, “I’m not joking. It’s the truth.” 

He studies me for a moment, then lets out a forced laugh. “Come on, man. Don’t mess with me like that.” He picks up his glass and takes a sip.

I take the drink from his hand and set it aside. “Denver, I’m serious. I’m in love with Selena.”

His brows pull together. “What? How… How can you say that?”

“I know it sounds crazy. She’s younger than me, and I’ve tried to keep my distance. I really did. But I couldn’t. We fell in love, Den. It just… happened.”

I expect the confession to feel heavy, but instead, I feel like I can finally breathe. I feel so relieved. Finally, he knows—and I’ll make him accept us, no matter what. Denver has to accept our relationship.

He’s silent for a few seconds, his expression unreadable. Then, his voice turns low and grim. “Does she feel the same?”

That's when I see it that he's no longer just my best friend. Right now, he's a father, protective of his daughter. And I'm not just James anymore. I'm the man in love with his daughter.

I nod. “Selena loves me too, Den. We’re both madly, deeply in love with each other,” I tell him with confidence.

Before he can respond, we hear footsteps and turn our heads toward the staircase. We see Selena coming downstairs with her mom. Denver gets up from the stool, anger written all over his face.

Damn it. I just hope he doesn’t take this out on Selena.

“Den, listen to me.” I immediately step in front of him. “We didn’t plan this. We didn’t mean for it to happen… but now, we can’t live without each other.”

“I can’t believe this, James. You’re my best friend. I trusted you.” He gives me a disgusted look like he’s starting to hate me for loving his daughter. I didn’t expect this kind of reaction from him. He knows what kind of man I am.

“If you trusted me, really trusted me, you wouldn’t look at me like I’m the enemy just because I love your daughter.” 

Selena and her mom approach us, sensing the tension. They stop beside us.

“What’s going on, Dad?” Selena asks, confused.

He turns to her with a serious look on his face before asking directly. “Selena, do you love him?”

Her eyes instantly drift toward me, and she looks at me, shocked, before shifting her gaze back to Denver.

I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I don’t want Selena to get hurt or lose her parents because of me. 

“Yes, Dad. I love James.” She says it out loud, not caring about anything. To her father. And she doesn’t flinch. I feel proud. 

Denver turns to me again, his brows narrow. “And you, James? Do you really think you’re good enough for my daughter?”

I don’t hesitate. “I will spend every single day proving that I am. I love Selena, Denver. And I will never let anything—or anyone—hurt her. Not even myself.”

He just stares at us in utter silence. It’s like the silence before the storm. I’m certain he’s going to yell at me. So I brace for the worst.

But then… he does something I don’t expect.

He takes Selena’s hand and places it on mine. A smile forms on his face. His wife stands beside him, smiling too. 

What the hell is happening? Why are they smiling?

As we entwine our fingers, Selena also looks at them, just as confused as I am, her brows pulled together.

“Good,” he finally speaks up, breaking the silence. “Because if you hadn’t told me that you love her, I would’ve kicked your ass.”

Wait—what?

Selena and I glance at each other, then down at our intertwined hands, still gripping tightly. We’re both confused. Wasn’t he furious just seconds ago? What the hell is going on? This feels like a dream. Because it makes no sense at all. 

“You think I didn’t know?” he laughs. “You both really thought I’m a fool. Please. When she got kidnapped, I knew something was going on. And when she got shot—the way you lost your mind, James—I knew then and there. I’ve been waiting for you to man up and say it.”

God. He had been faking it for so long. 

It is really unbelievable that he doesn’t have any problem with our relationship, with our love. That’s my friend—he understands me, trusts me. I’m so happy. But his prank nearly made my heart stop. I really thought he was going to hurt his daughter by separating us. But he didn’t. 

Thanks fucking God! 

“You were faking it this whole time?” I ask, half-laughing, half-ready to collapse from this unexpected revelation that he doesn't have any issues with me loving his daughter.“I thought you were going to throw me out of your house and never talk to me again.” 

I’m still holding Selena’s hand. I don’t feel like letting it go now.

He places his hand on my shoulder. “Come on, James. Do you think I’d be that easy to fool? I’ve known you for so long. I know every damn expression on your face.”

I glance at Selena, who still looks stunned. Her fingers tighten around mine. “Wait… Dad, you knew? And you didn’t say anything?”

“Of course, I knew. You think I didn’t notice the way you looked at him and how he couldn’t stop looking at you.” He smirks. “Hell, half the house staff knew before I did.”

Selena’s face turns a deep shade of red. “Dad!”

Her mom laughs, stepping forward to smooth her daughter’s hair. “Sweetheart, I’ve known for months. And for the record, I think he’s the best man you could’ve fallen for.”

She looks at her, stunned. “You too?”

“Of course. We both were waiting for you both to confess.” 



Selena’s P.O.V.

It’s unbelievable!

I can’t believe Dad doesn’t have a problem with our relationship—and even more, he already knew about it.

It feels like a dream. Seriously. 

“I still can’t believe that you don’t have any problem with our relationship.” I look at Dad, still in utter disbelief. 

I imagined the worst reaction from him, but never this. God! I’m happy—truly happy. I keep looking at James, and he looks just as shocked and happy as I am.

“Selena, if you love him and you’re happy with him, then it doesn’t matter to me that he’s older than you,” Dad says calmly. “Besides, I’ve known him since childhood.” He shifts his gaze to James. “And he’s the only one I trust around you.”

“Thank you so much, Dad. You’ve given me the best birthday gift ever.” I hug him tightly. Then I wrap my arms around Mom and hug her too.

I feel like dancing, singing—just exploding with joy. My biggest fear is gone. Now we can love each other openly, and our love isn’t forbidden anymore. 

I look at James again. He’s standing beside me, eyes locked on mine, and he presses his lips on my forehead, making me smile wider. 

“So… we don’t have to hide anymore?” he whispers in my ear, going romantic—right in front of my parents. 

I feel a little shy, but inside, I’m thrilled. Now everyone will know about our relationship. No more hiding. No more pretending. Wow! 

“Yes, no more hiding,” I reply, staring into his eyes deeply.

He leans in and pecks my lips softly. I blush hard and glance around, trying to hide my smile.

God! I can’t believe he just kissed me in front of my parents. If this is a dream, I never want to wake up.

Dad shakes his head with a small sigh. “No more secrets. But.” He points a finger at James, “If you ever hurt her—friend or not—I will make you regret it.”

“You won’t have to worry about that, Denver. Hurting Selena would be like ripping my heart out of my chest with my own hand. I’ll never let a single tear fall from her eyes,” he promises my father, kissing my knuckles and fixing his eyes—filled with immense love on me.

And just like that, without any extra effort, this man steals my heart all over again.