Page 141 of Captive Bride

I had thought myself so vulnerable until I met Tristan. He made me find my inner strength. He helped me find myself.

In his presence, I feel like I can be my true self, and all those inauthentic layers crumble away. He’s made me strong, and he’s made me believe that life is worth living.

I’m special in his eyes, and that reassurance gives me a profound strength that I can’t quite describe.

“Are you sad to see it go?” he asks me.

I look at him and say honestly, “Not one bit. I couldn’t be happier, Tristan. I’m excited about where we’re going and excited about our new life.”

Goodbye, city.

Goodbye, captivity.

Goodbye, Capulets.

And goodbye to my past.

I am no longer the person I once was, and I refuse to look back on anything. Sure, Theo’s still there ever-present in my heart. But I know the costs of war between our feuding families were many.

Now I’m heading toward freedom. And safety.

I feel Tristan beside me, supporting me in every way, and I know it can’t get much better than this.

Sure, he’s promised me a mansion, a new life, and everything, but all I really want is him.

“Here we go, on our way to Vienna,” Tristan says. “Baby, I’m gonna show you the whole fucking world.”

I smile at him, and I know that he means it. Tristan probably will show me the entire world. I know he feels like we have a lifetime of memories to make.

And so, I relax into the leather seats, look out at the city that is soon becoming a distant memory, and I embrace the new me.

Maybe Fate had brought Tristan and me together to redefine enemy lines.

Or maybe it was an accident.

True love is hard to find, I’ve heard.

But I’ve always dreamed about it.

And I never stopped believing in him.

He’s that man that’s been in my heart for as long as I can remember.

And he burns there today as brightly as ever.

I just have to remember that I knew all along he would come find me. And I’ve finally found my escape in him.

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