The wheels of your luggage clacked against the tile floor as you dragged it beside you—headed toward the full-body scanner. You were done with this place. This country had become nothing but a graveyard for your heart, and it was time to go back home.

Then a sudden yelp echoed behind you—followed by a snarl of frustration.

You turned, brows furrowed, only for your heart to sink and burn at the same time.

Mateus.

Pushing through the crowd, eyes wild with desperation, was the very man you had sworn never to see again. The man who shattered everything. The audacity to chase after you like this, after what he did, made your blood boil.

Once upon a time, he was your safe place. Your best friend. Your everything.

Until that night. The restaurant. The bouquet. His ex’s hand reaching across the table to touch his. Her smile. His silence. The betrayal.

And now—here he was—gripping your wrist like his world depended on it.

"What the hell are you doing here? Let go of me," you snapped, voice sharp with fury.

His grip tightened. “If I let go… you’ll disappear. And I—I won’t survive that again. So hate me. Slap me. Yell. Just—don’t walk away. Please…” His voice cracked. “I need you to stay.”

You scoffed, jaw clenching in frustration. "After you cheated on me? You stand here begging? That’s manipulation, Mateus."

He flinched. Pain flashed in his eyes, but he didn’t budge. “I didn’t cheat. I swear to you, I didn’t.” His tone trembled but never wavered. “That bouquet? It was for you. I wanted to surprise you, come home with your favorite meal. I never planned to see her there.”

“Then why was she smiling like that? Why was she holding your hand?” you shot back.

His voice dropped, raw and trembling. “Because she wanted something I refused to give. I told her I was already in love. That I was already taken—by you.” His gaze searched yours. “You’re the only one I want. You’ve always been the only one.”

You clenched your jaw, gaze wavering. That flicker of doubt in your chest was still too fresh to let go of. But your voice didn’t shake when you challenged him again. "Then prove it. Prove you won't betray me."

He stepped closer, lifting his hand to gently cup your cheek, his thumb brushing against your cheek.

"Take my phone. Every password. Every app. Every secret—yours now. I’ll wear a tracking device if that’s what it takes. Hell, I’ll tattoo your name over my heart if that helps you sleep at night. Just... don’t leave... Don’t take my future with you. Because losing you?” His voice broke, barely a whisper. “That’s a pain I won’t come back from.”