Page 50 of From Fake Dates to Forever Goals

Tears spill down her cheeks, and she shakes her head. “You made it perfectly clear how you felt, Sebastian. You don’t have to pretend now. I can do this on my own.”

“No,” I say firmly, taking a step closer to her. “I’m not pretending. You’ve changed me, Ava. You’ve made me a better man in ways I didn’t even think were possible. I don’t want to lose you. I can’t lose you.”

She steps back, maintaining the distance between us. “It’s too late. You had your chance, and you threw it away.”

Her words cut me deeply, but I refuse to give up.

“Please, Ava,” I beg, my voice breaking. “Give me a chance to prove I’m the man you need me to be. For you. For our child.”

Ava turns away, tears streaming down her face. I can see the conflict in her—her love for me buried beneath layers of hurt and disappointment.

“I don’t want to live without you, Ava,” I say softly, my own tears threatening to fall.

She looks at me then, her eyes filled with anguish.

“Our baby deserves to have both of us,” I add, my voice trembling with emotion.

Just as I’m about to leave, I hear her voice, broken and raw. “Stop!”

I turn back to her, and she’s sobbing, her entire body shaking.

“You hurt me, Sebastian,” she whispers.

“I know,” I say, stepping closer. “And I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you. You met me when I was just a boy, but you turned me into a man. All this man wants is to love his family for the rest of his life, if you let me.”

She lets out a deep, shuddering breath and whispers, “I would like that.”

In an instant, I close the distance between us, pulling her into my arms.

“You have no idea how much this means to me,” I murmur, kissing her face between her tears.

She laughs softly through her sobs, and it’s the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard.

“This baby is going to be lucky,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. “She’ll have her mom, her dad, and grandparents who will love her to bits.”

Ava smiles, wiping her tears. “You sound awfully confident it’s a girl.”

“She’s going to be just like her mother,” I say with certainty. “Beautiful, strong, and capable of melting hearts.”

Ava giggles, her cheeks flushing. “I can already see the father in you.”

Today, I’ve learned how powerful love and forgiveness can be. Ava has given me another chance to prove myself, to be the man she and our child deserve. For that, I will forever be grateful.

fifteen

Ava

It’s been three years, and Sebastian and I are still going strong. We’ve been building our careers while navigating the joys and challenges of raising a family.

Last year, we moved to Chicago. Our daughter, Mia, is now two years old and the absolute light of Grammy Edna’s life. The move was partially for her benefit; being in San Jose made it hard for Edna to spend time with Mia, and she welcomed the change with open arms. Truthfully, I’ve fallen in love with Chicago myself. When Sebastian signed with a team here, and I was able to get a transfer, the decision was easy. Now, Edna and Mia get to see each other whenever they want, and I couldn’t ask for a better mother figure than Edna. She’s been more like a mom to me than anything else.

After the success of my project, I traveled to Africa to oversee its implementation. Though illegal logging of endangered trees hasn’t fully stopped, hefty penalties have been enforced, sending a clear message that there are consequences for such actions. Knowing I’ve made even a small difference in a world where many turn a blind eye fills me with pride.

Annie, my best friend, moved to the U.K. to be with Stewart. Even though we’re miles apart, we talk on the phone at least once a week. She’s now a mother to twin boys, who are about six months younger than Mia. We exchange stories about motherhood and laugh at how much our lives have changed.

Sebastian, too, has been thriving. Season after season, he’s had incredible success, often joking that I’m his lucky charm. His inheritance, which once seemed like the finish line, became the starting point for something bigger. He’s been using it to fund environmental projects, making a real difference in the world—something I never imagined when we first met.

Life in the spotlight has become something I’ve learned to accept. Mia, however, loves it, especially when she sees her photo in the newspaper, captured while cheering for her dad. Though I’ve never craved attention, I’ve grown used to it, understanding that it’s just part of the package.

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