Page 20 of Sold to the Fighter

As I open my lips to declare my feelings, he grabs my hand and tugs me out of the room. “Let’s go.”

A few steps down the bright hallway and I look up at him. “What do you want to show me?” I ask, my stomach jittery with anxiety.

He grins down at me and says, “You’ll see.”

We walk hand in hand down the stairs and out of the mansion. I look around in puzzlement, wondering what Theo is so eager for me to see. I take in the well-groomed grounds and beautifully trimmed gardens. “Your home is beautiful,” I say softly.

Theo tugs playfully at my arms. “Our home, sweetheart. Our home,” he says. My heart melts at his words, and I feel the extent of his love for me at the simple admission.

Another building appears at the back of the mansion, and I push back my confession for the second time. The bungalow is on the smaller side but nevertheless a beautiful sight. It looks like a mini cottage, with flowers planted around it and a wide terrace attached to the side.

“This is it,” Theo says as we stop outside the door.

I look up at him in surprise. “What’s this place?”

“It’s your new dancing studio, sweetheart. You mentioned last night that your dream is to dance freely. Here, you can dance to your heart’s content,” he says, opening the door and pulling me inside, gesturing around the bright open space. “It doesn’t look like a lot yet, but I’ll have it equipped and furnished to your taste.”

I gape at him in shock.Is this happening?

Gratitude and happiness wells up inside me, and a wide smile blooms across my face. The dream I thought I’d never reach has just been given to me on a platter by the man I love.

“Oh my God. I love you. I love you so much!” I shout and throw my arms around him, clutching him tight.

He picks me up and wraps his arms around me. “I love you too, sweetheart,” he says, kissing me before spinning us around.

Joyous laughter spills from my lips, mingling with his deep, rumbling chuckle.

Epilogue

Theo

Four years later…

“Daddy, tell me another stowie,” Luna Kane, my two-year-old daughter says with a cute gap-tooth smile.

My heart melts at the sight, but I try to hold on to my last shred of sternness. “But I’ve just told you a story. We agreed to one bedtime story a night, remember?” I say with an arched brow that dissolves into a smile at her childlike frown.

“Pwease, Daddy,” she begs with a pout.

I instantly soften, taking a seat beside her bed for the second time. “Okay, princess,” I say, heaving a fake sigh. I reach out to ruffle her soft black curls, just like her mother’s. “You’re so naughty,” I say, flicking softly at her nose.

She giggles, and at the same time scrunches her nose at my fake theatrics, warming my heart. I’m glad Grace isn’t around to tease me about how Luna has me tightly wrapped around her little finger. I say I’m the stern parent, but I’m actually the one who gives in the most to her whims.

“What story do you want to hear, honey?” I ask.

“I want to hear ’bout the dancing pwincess,” she says.

I smile down at her. I’ve told her this story as frequently as she asks for it, yet she still gets that curious look on her face as if she’s hearing it for the first time.

I clear my throat and start, “Once upon a time, there was a princess who loved dancing so much that her mother got her a dancing instructor. After that, she became so good at dancing that people would come to watch as she twirled and twirled and twirled. One day, an evil man threatened to send her away if she didn’t stop dancing…”

“I don’t like the evil man, Daddy,” Luna interrupts with a waving fist.

I grin down at her, sweeping her curls back. “I don’t like him either, baby. But I have to finish the story.”

“Okay, Daddy.”

“Well, the princess ran away from the evil man, and on her way she met a handsome prince. The prince promised to protect her from the evil man, and so he did. The evil man perished and the prince and princess lived happily ever after.”

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