Page 72 of My Spanish Love Affair

“I just hate that people think they can pick apart my life,” I sniff. “That they can take pictures of me and write whatever they want without even knowing my name. And then when someone finally does tell them - because someone will, ofcourse they will - then it’s just going to be a free for all, isn’t it? And I just… I feel like I’ve lost control of everything.”

“That’s the thing, though - you haven’t lost control. Not really. You can’t control what other people say or do, so you never had that power in the first place. But what youcancontrol is how you respond. You’re still the Olivia we all know and love: the one who takes scary things and finds a way to handle them. You dating Santi doesn’t change any of that.”

I let out a shaky laugh, wiping at my damp face.

“That Olivia feels like a stranger right now.”

“She’s not a stranger,” Laura insists. “She’s just overwhelmed. And that’s okay. You’ve got people in your corner. Me, Santi, your new friends in Valencia. You don’t have to do this alone.”

“I told Santi I needed space,” I admit, my voice small. “I panicked, and now I feel terrible about that, too.”

Laura tilts her head, her expression thoughtful.

“Santi cares about you, Liv. He’ll understand. But you should talk to him.Properly. Not over the phone. He’ll want to help, I’m sure.”

I nod, her words making sense even as my chest still feels heavy. “I know. I just… needed to let it out first.”

“That’s what I’m here for,” she smiles. “And you’ve absolutely got this. One step at a time, yeah? Take a deep breath, make a brew, talk to Santi, andthenfigure out what you need to do next. You’re stronger than you think. You’ve proved that over and over again.”

Her confidence in me is like a lifeline, pulling me out of the spiral I’ve been trapped in. I don’t know what I’d do without her.

“Thanks, Laura,” I say softly, my voice steadier now.

“Always,” she replies. “But listen - I’ve got to go, I’ve got a gym class in half an hour, and if I cancel it now I get a fine.Jokers.But please take care of yourself, and if you want me to call you when I’m back, just let me know, okay?”

“Okay,” I promise.

As I end the call, I sit in the quiet of my apartment, Laura’s words echoing in my mind.

One step at a time.

She’s right. This isn’t ideal at all, but I’ve absolutely been through worse, and each time I’ve come out stronger.

So maybe I can handle this too.

Chapter Twenty-Three

It starts off small.

A phone pointed in my direction at the market, the flash going off before the person quickly ducks behind a stand.

A group of women whispering and glancing my way in the café as I sit by the window, trying to enjoy a quiet moment reading over my upcoming lesson plans.

I tell myself it’s nothing; that it’s just people talking, nothing to do with me.

But the way they burst out in laughter the moment I turn away makes my stomach twist violently. When I glance up again, they immediately look away, their giggles fading into awkward silence.

I try to brush it off as I pack up my things, but I can feel their eyes on my back as I leave the café.

By Wednesday, it starts happening at work.

I walk in the teacher’s lounge to top up my bottle of water, only to find some of my colleagues huddled by the coffee machine. The moment they see me, they freeze.

“Morning, Olivia,” one of them says, her smile overly bright, her tone a little too cheerful.

“Morning,” I reply with a nod, keeping my voice neutral.

I turn to leave, but I see them exchange a look out of the corner of my eye before they lean back toward each other, resuming their hushed conversation.

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