Chapter 73 As light as a dandelion

Isabela

Sitting on Fernando's lap, I felt a mixture of joy and restlessness at having him back so close to me, finally the worst was over. All I wanted more than anything was to know the outcome of that story. But suddenly, that revelation shook my emotions, leaving me devastated for an instant: he had planned to kidnap me. Why him?

A knot formed in my throat, and a strange sensation overwhelmed me. I managed to face him with his piercing eyes fixed on me, and he said something that only he knew what it was. And now I'm torn between the difficult decision of whether to forgive him.

His voice sounded as serene as the night breeze, revealing that he recognized how wrong he had been, but also showed true regret. The breeze changed and quickly became a strong gust of wind, which invaded the bedroom through the window. It seemed to symbolize my chance to escape the trap of that pair of eyes. I got up from his lap, determined to find sincere regret in the duke.

"Are you serious?" I asked from two or three steps away, after all, I hadn't counted exactly how many steps I had taken. He sighed painfully. "You don't have to get up, Fernando!"

He stared at me once more.

"All right." He agreed and again leaned his back against the soft back of the armchair. "Unfortunately, what I said is true, and I feel that your trust in me has gone."

"Trust is as light as a dandelion."

"I understand perfectly, but I admit that I was the malicious wind that blew that little flower away. So it's entirely up to you, Miss. I don't want to impose anything on you in any way. I'm sorry to have contributed in any way to your sadness."

Fernando, avoiding looking at me directly, began to massage his temples with his fingertips, in slow, circular movements. Reflecting on all this, I realize that both he and I used each other, each with their own objectives. It's clear that the duke took his kidnapping plan to the extreme, but I need to understand more clearly what really happened.

"Is everything all right?" I asked him, letting out a deep sigh.

"What?" he replied with another question, visibly confused.

"Do you have a headache?"

"Oh, yes, yes. Ever since I left the basement, I haven't been feeling very well. Maybe it's stress or anxiety."

"Can I help you with anything?"

"No, I'm fine, Isabela. I'll be whole soon, don't worry about me, right now we need to sort out our destiny." He stopped massaging his temples and turned his attention to me.

"How can you ask me not to worry about you when I'm your wife? I'm serious!"

"So..."

"Yes, Fernando, I forgive you, but I need to understand absolutely everything about this story involving me, you, and your disgusting brother."

A smile of relief formed on his face, but don't let him think I'm a silly girl, if he falters again, I'll rip his balls off.

"I sincerely apologize, because at that unfortunate moment, I failed to show the necessary courage." In a matter of seconds, he stood up. His cheerful countenance gave way to a serious expression I had never seen before.

"What is it, my duke?"

"You know, when I see you standing there in front of me, so vulnerable, I reflect on my actions. I feel like a real idiot for having been so stupid with the woman who turned my world upside down. I never found anyone who saw my potential until I met you, my sweet lady. How could I believe in myself without you by my side to show me how good I can be?"

Fernando Casanova was truly sorry, I could feel that his words emanated true feelings, he wasn't going to deceive me, after all, what motives would he have? I know that the duke who looked at me with that lucid gaze wasn't the same stingy man as before.

"I'm glad I changed your life, Fernando. You talking like that gives me a chill in my stomach that I can't explain exactly, but it's a great feeling."

"If you want, I can spend the rest of my life regretting it."

"There's no need to exaggerate, Your Grace, for God's sake. There's no chance of hearing your regrets for so many years. I've just discovered what I needed to know about you: my love for you really is reciprocated in equal measure, and I can also see your regret in that pair of determined eyes."

"Never forget that the attitudes of that duke you met some time ago will be buried forever." He took my hands. "You need me, and I need you to exist and be happy, do you know if this time we'll be happy forever?"

"There's no need to exaggerate either, what does a duke like you need from someone like me?"

"Yes, I need you, yes, everyone needs someone to be their sun. I'm not talking about noble status, I'm talking about companionship, Isabela."

"That's nice to hear, but seriously, what do I have to offer your grace?"

"I'm going to need you more than you need me, so we can start with your loyalty and your love, that's all I need from you. I need your company, my beloved."

"Doesn't Your Grace understand me?" I gave him a satisfied smile.

"No, I don't understand you, and I don't want to. From now on, our lives will be different, we have lots of places to go, and besides, I need to learn about your world, I don't want to be like a blind man next to you."

"All right, we'll do our best, but that woman is still out there, she might..."

"Shh!" Fernando silenced me with his finger over my lips. "We'll be happy from now on, Isabela, my brother, and Jaime will be arrested, and that stone in the shoe that's chasing us will also have its end." He pulled his fingers away from my lips. "Now, please, don't say another word."

"Your hand is dirty, and you put your fingers in my mouth?"

"What?"

"And now you're making a fool of yourself, really. Go take a shower, Fernando."

"I'm sorry."

"And stop apologizing all the time. Go away, it's going to be a long night. I want to hear what you found in the basement, and I also have to share my past with you, our pasts." I paused and turned away from the duke, who nodded and walked slowly towards the bathroom.

"After all the talk we're going to have, I want to fuck you intensely, all to celebrate our union, and I also need to relieve myself of this unusual day. And nothing is more pleasurable than feeling your mouth sucking my cock."

"Who says this is the time for that?" I retorted the next second, feeling a caress on my chest. That man knows how to be provocative.

"Me, the Duke of Barcelona! You'll be mine forever, Isabela, or until I die." He said with his back turned, between the door that would lead him to the bathroom.

"I just think you're too bossy. Go soon, or you won't have me for a month." I said between my teeth and cracked a smile, taking advantage of the situation.

He whispered a mysterious phrase before leaving. What a crazy afternoon that was. I almost had to pick up my bags and go back to my parents' house. Speaking of them, I hope they're okay. Anyway, Lucia couldn't keep us apart. Fernando and I have overcome everything and are closer than ever.

How I miss a social network, how I'd love to take a photo and post it, tagging it to show how well we're doing. I also know how to be debauched when necessary, so let her prepare for the next turn in my life, I won't be as complacent as before. I intend to run away with Fernando and leave everything behind once and for all, but first she'll feel a bit of everything I've felt. What's more, I'll prove to her that, this time, the Duke's love for me won't be erased. We will love each other as our destiny wishes.

"Does Fernando love me because I'm Isabela, or does he love me because of who I am inside?" I thought aloud as I approached the window. "If I were another woman outside the beauty standard, would he say those same words?"

The wind was intensifying.