Prologue

"Love was not their salvation... Only the beginning of their downfall"

Dear readers... (Sigh) or should I say "beloved"? Let's embark on this novel where I sincerely hope you will immerse yourselves in the complex feelings of my characters. I look forward to surprising you, stressing you out, even reaching the point of making you hate me, and then deciding to forgive me for making you angry. (Shameless laughter)

When you feel like giving up, take a deep breath and keep in mind that you are almost at the end and that it surely won't disappoint you.

Without further ado, I challenge you to devour this plot that will be the cause of your confused emotions in the next few minutes.

With that I say goodbye (bows) and we will meet in the last chapter...

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Under the relentless sun of a summer afternoon, young Dafne pedaled hurriedly to the house where she lived with her parents, her tanned skin gleaming with sweat, her brown hair dancing in the wind. Upon arriving, she quickly got off the bike, letting it fall to the ground.

"Mom! Where are you?"

Dafne searched all over the house and couldn't find her mother; after a few minutes, she saw her lying in the garden.

"Oh my God!"

She shouted with her hands on her head, as she ran towards her mother. Her eyes welled up and her heart raced so fast she felt like it was going to come out. Minutes later, the ambulance arrived, and Dafne grabbed her bike and followed the ambulance to the hospital.

"Little one!"

Dafne, who was sitting in one of the chairs in front of the operating room, looked at the man who had just arrived and immediately jumped into his arms, crying.

"Calm down, I'm here now. Have the doctors said anything?"

She shook her head as tears continued to stream from her eyes.

Minutes passed, and one of the nurses came out of the operating room and was immediately approached by Dafne and her father.

"Miss, is my wife okay?"

The nurse had a kind face and responded with a smile on her face.

"The patient is fine, we had to perform emergency surgery because her appendix was about to burst. Thanks to the young lady's quick action, things didn't end badly."

Dafne lost the strength in her legs and fell to the ground, feeling relieved that her mother was well. After her mother was settled in a room, she and her father entered and saw her with a pale face.

"Mom..."

Dafne's broken voice reached the ears of her mother, who tried to put on a brave face.

"My little one, you must have been so scared."

She approached her mother and took her hand gently as she kissed it.

"Love, don't scare us like that again, what would we do without you?"

"Probably nothing."

The three of them laughed, but Dafne's mother complained of pain and immediately stopped laughing. Dafne looked at her father and, with sad eyes, looked back at her mother.

"Mom, Dad... before I found my mother passed out, I was trying to tell you some news."

She paused and pursed her lips for a few seconds.

"The thing is... I got accepted to P University."

Upon hearing the news, both parents were surprised and immediately congratulated their daughter.

"I'm so proud of you, daughter!" exclaimed her father. "The truth is, I felt very sad that I couldn't send you to university sooner, but it's never too late, right?"

"I know, Dad. After the business failed, things got complicated, but the important thing is that I can do it now. I'm only 25 years old, and I feel like I'm at the best age to study."

After talking to her parents, Dafne went home to get clothes for her mother. While she was driving, she got distracted thinking about everything that had happened during the day and was almost hit by a car. Trying to dodge it, she fell to the ground.

"Miss, are you okay?"

Dafne, in pain, let out a soft moan. She looked up, and her eyes lit up when she saw a handsome, tall, foreign man with black hair, green eyes, and an imposing figure.

"Do you want me to call an ambulance?"

Dafne came out of her daze and quickly refused as she got up with difficulty.

"No need, I just bumped myself a little."

"I'm glad to hear you're okay. Miss, you must be more careful when driving."

"Yes, I'm sorry."

Dafne felt ashamed; she knew she was to blame for the incident. After a few minutes, the man left, and she felt the blood rush to her cheeks.

"What a handsome man."

Days passed, and that little incident had remained deep in her memories. She had been so busy taking care of her mother that she hadn't had time to think back to the man who had made her heart skip a beat with his beauty.

When her mother was finally able to move around on her own, Dafne felt free again, filled with an energy accumulated from being locked up at home for so long. She ran hurriedly to the beach. Standing in front of the impressive sea, she let out a huge smile as she dipped her feet in the water. She felt alive as she felt the fresh air on her face.

"I see that you didn't really hurt yourself when you fell, miss."

Hearing the voice, she turned and, seeing the man she had met in such embarrassing circumstances, couldn't help but act shy.

"Of course, I just bumped myself a little when I fell."

The man smiled mischievously as he looked her up and down.

"I see. But I think you owe me an apology. If something had happened to you, my conscience wouldn't be clear."

Dafne blushed and began to laugh nervously.

"I'm sorry, you wouldn't have to feel guilty anyway. I was the one who committed the infraction; if anything, you would be the victim."

"I'm glad to meet people who are able to own up to their faults."

They both fell silent, and her hands began to sweat.

"Would you like me to buy you a drink or something to eat as an apology?"

The man looked thoughtful as he looked out at the sea.

"Maybe, but I'm picky."

"Damn... he's probably going to make me buy him something expensive" Dafne thought as she smiled.

"Okay, just tell me."

"In that case... Since I arrived, I've only eaten in restaurants, I'd like to eat something homemade."

Her eyes widened in surprise.

"Oh... in that case, Hmmm. Would you like to eat at my house?"

"Of course."

The two of them walked side by side; as they talked, she began to lose her nervousness. He was kind to her and occasionally cracked jokes.

"Excuse me..."

"Yes?"

"I still don't know your name."

"That's right. I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Samael."

He stopped and held out his hand to her. Dafne looked at his hand and noticed he was wearing a watch that cost millions. Not just the watch, his clothes were also designer, and the car from the other day was very expensive. She shook his hand shyly.

"I'm Dafne."

"Beautiful name."

"Thank you."

When Dafne introduced Samael, her parents were surprised; it was the first time her daughter had brought a man home, and this one was really handsome. Her mother, who was still recovering, was sitting on the furniture, and while Dafne and her father took care of the food, she took it upon herself to interrogate Samael.

After dinner he said goodbye politely and Dafne was forced by her parents to accompany him to the nearest bus stop.

"I'm sorry you have to come with me."

"Don't worry, this is still part of my apology.."

He smiled and stopped while holding her wrist, she looked at him in surprise and her skin where he touched her could feel a heat that made her tingle.

"Something wrong?"

"Would you mind if we exchange contact info?"

Dafne's heart skipped a beat but she still decided not to, he was a man she had just met and they were not close enough to contact each other by phone.

"I'm sorry, I don't usually give my number to people I barely know."

"Do you mean that when we get to know each other better, you will give it to me?"

"I don't think we'll see each other again, but if that happens, I guess it'll be fine."

The two said goodbye and during the following days Dafne was ambushed by Samael who always pretended to be surprised to see her. She could notice his interest in her and did not hesitate to draw a line with the man, however after many encounters she could not continue to refuse to exchange her contact with him. As they talked, she felt more and more attracted to him, however when he confessed his feelings, she could not answer him.

"Dafne, do you need time to think about it?"

"I... I don't think I'm ready for a relationship."

"I can wait."

"No, please. Don't do it, I don't want you to waste your time waiting for something that may not happen."

"What do you mean?"

The truth was that in the past Dafne was cheated on by the person she loved and since then she had not been able to trust anyone again, she was afraid of being hurt again.

"I can't trust you, or any other man. It's not your fault, it's my thing."

She avoided his gaze trying to contain her tears, deep down she wanted to accept him, but fear stopped her.

"What if I prove that I am someone you can trust?"

"What?"

"I don't know what he did to you, but I can be that person you can trust. Just give me a chance to prove it."

He approached her and caressed her face, she felt herself melting at his touch and for a moment all her doubts disappeared in the soft kiss he gave her.

"Let me love you."

Dafne let out a few tears and with her fists clenched Samael's shirt.

"Promise never to lie to me, if you hurt me I don't know if I can get over it."

"I promise."

The months passed and Dafne started college, contrary to her fears she was able to adapt easily to the environment, her relationship with Samael had grown significantly and she could tell that she was totally in love. He was dedicated and affectionate, he filled her with details and made her feel special all the time, without realizing all her time and attention were revolving around him.

One day at her house while she was studying for an exam next to Samael, she felt him take her hand and slide something cold on her finger, she raised her hand and seeing a beautiful ring looked at him full of tears.

"Will you marry me?"

She nodded as she covered her mouth trying to contain her crying. She was excited, she couldn't explain everything she was feeling, but she felt as if every difficulty she had gone through in her life was being rewarded at that moment.

"Listen, I have to go back to my country, I have to tell my grandmother about the wedding, as you know... my parents died many years ago and she is the one who raised me, I don't think she will come to the wedding, but even so she should know from me in person."

Dafne nodded with a smile as she took his hand.

"Also... I don't know how to say it."

Samael looked uncomfortable for a few seconds as he rubbed his hand on his leg and neck.

"What's wrong? You can tell me"

"I think I'm asking you something selfish. Come with me to my country after the wedding."

"What? Leave my family?"

"No. Start a family with me in my country."

"But... What about my parents?"

"I have to go back, I only came here while the company was stable, but my place is not here."

"I don't know... I can't leave my parents."

Samael kissed her forehead while stroking her back.

"Can you leave me?"

She was silent and felt confused, she didn't want to leave her parents but she didn't want to lose the man she loved either.

"Give me time to talk to my parents, my place is by your side."

Dafne thought of thousands of ways to tell her parents about her engagement, but every time she imagined a scenario, it all ended the same way: Her parents locking her up and forbidding her from seeing Samael. She scratched her head in despair and, feeling frustrated, she let the days go by while she mustered up the courage to break the news. When Samael had to return to his country, Dafne knew she couldn't put off the awkward situation any longer. While they were eating quietly, she glanced sideways at her parents and took a deep breath and spoke firmly.

"I'm engaged."

The table fell totally silent and Dafne began to tremble with nerves. After a few seconds of discomfort, her mother broke the ice.

"Are you talking about getting married?"

Dafne looked at her with wide eyes and nodded her head and then looked away, her mother sighed and put her cutlery on the table while she pondered for a few seconds.

"Can you explain that better?"

"Yes..."

Dafne swallowed hard and rubbed her hands as she avoided her parents' gaze. She was normally assertive and direct, but when it came to her parents, all her courage vanished.

"Samael has to go back to his country, he was only in this place for work... but we both love each other and the last thing we want is to be apart. It may seem sudden and rushed to you, but I've really thought it through and I feel and think it's what I want."

"Honey, how can you be so sure when you've only been with him a few months? I know you're not one to act without thinking things through, but I think this decision is very premeditated."

"Mom. I don't need a lifetime to know that he's the man I want to be with. You know that in all this time I haven't accepted anyone who has tried to be with me after what happened, I've never had this kind of feeling for anyone, not even for that person, now that I have Samael I realize that the past was just a small illusion. I know this is not just a spur-of-the-moment thing."

"That's what worries me. I don't doubt your feelings, but what about him? Does he feel the same way about you? I don't want you to embark on a marriage where you're the one who gives it your all."

"Mom, Dad. He loves me, I know it. I know it as well as I know you love me."

"And your studies?"

Her father asked with a sad face, he had stayed out of the conversation but seeing his daughter so determined made him feel as if he was losing her.

"I'll do it later. I spoke with Samael and after I adapt to the language I can go to a university there, I can wait."

"But honey, you've already had to wait too long. I still blame myself for not being able to give you an education, I don't want you to fall behind."

She smiled tenderly knowing her father's concern.

"As we've always said. It's never too late to study, I just have to wait a year or two."

Her parents didn't continue to try to convince their daughter that night, but as the days went by, she noticed that they were strangely distant from her. After returning to his country, Samael communicated with her daily but very little, the schedules did not coincide so that made communication limited, however he agreed to return to celebrate the wedding, he wanted everything to be done the way she and her parents wanted. Dafne made the arrangements and seeing that everything was serious, her parents gave in to her and helped her organize everything. Two weeks before the wedding, Samael returned and caught up on the preparations, Dafne's parents did not hide their intimidating looks at the man who was stealing their precious daughter.

Finally the wedding took place and Dafne looked beautiful, her father who was walking her down the aisle did not stop crying for a moment, her mother looked at her sadly and that made her feel bad; she was happy and yet her parents were not, she sighed and decided to ignore them and enjoy her day in the best possible way.

After the party she had drunk enough to pass out, Samael carried her in his arms to the hotel room where he laid her down gently. When Dafne woke up her head wanted to explode, the memories of the night before came flooding back and she wanted to cry, not only had she drunk to the point of passing out, but she had also ruined her first night with her husband.

"You're a fool, fool, fool."

Dafne hit her forehead for being so careless, looked around the room and saw no sign of Samael and sighed. When she came out after taking a bath she found Samael with his back to her holding a glass of wine, he turned around and seeing her smiled mischievously. Seeing him, she felt very nervous and embarrassed, she was wearing only her bathrobe and instinctively knew what was going to happen.

He wrapped his arm around her waist as he sniffed her damp neck, her body shivered and she tried to pull away but he hugged her tightly as he captured her trembling lips. Her body relaxed and she began to enjoy the caresses of that man who was now her husband, she did not know how much time passed or how many times she had succumbed to pleasure, but her body was exhausted, falling asleep on Samael's chest.