Page 102 of The Substitute Fiancée

“But the truth is, what I had with her is nothing like what I want to build with you.”

I set my glass on the windowsill, my heart pounding.

He steps closer, takes my hand.

“With you, I want to become better. You challenge me. You scare me sometimes, because I care so much about you that the idea of making mistakes and losing you terrifies me.”

His voice drops, rougher now.

“I haven’t always been up to the task. I know that. But I care about you. So much.”

My heart slams against my ribs.

“I know everything is happening very fast, almost brutally,” he continues, his gaze locked on mine. “But I think I’m falling in love with you.”

The world stops.

My heart explodes in my chest. My legs threaten to give out beneath me. I search for words, but my thoughts are chaos—joy, fear, disbelief.

Not I love you.

But a declaration nonetheless.

Honest. So deeply… him.

Alexander doesn’t wait for a response. He pulls me onto the dance floor. The music has shifted from lounge electro to something slower, more intimate.

His arm wraps around my waist and draws me closer. A possessive, protective, tender gesture. I rest my head against his shoulder, breathing in his scent, feeling the steady beat of his heart against my cheek.

We sway gently, and for a moment, I forget everything. The crowd around us. The curious stares. My doubts, my fears.

There is only him and me, and this fragile bubble we are building together.

As midnight approaches, the countdown begins. Voices around us shout the numbers, excitement rising.

Ten… Nine… Eight…

“Thank you for coming tonight,” he murmurs into my hair.

Seven… Six…

“I’m happy to be sharing this moment with you,” I reply, and I truly mean it.

Five… Four… Three…

He pulls back just enough to look into my eyes. His gaze is dark, intense, filled with an emotion I don’t dare name.

Two…

“Happy New Year, Sam,” he whispers.

One!

And he kisses me.

A deep, almost desperate kiss. As if sealing a promise. As if he’s afraid I might disappear.

Around us, people applaud, kiss, exchange wishes. Confetti falls. Champagne flows.