Chapter 2

Rachel and I met at an international alumni networking event.

I noticed her right away.

She was beautiful, the kind of person who stood out without trying.

Back then, no one understood my paintings except Rachel.

She comforted me and told me not to give up.

I had to admit, Rachel felt like the only light in my dark world.

I fell for her almost instantly.

The more time I spent with her, the more I got pulled in, until I was completely gone.

Later, I heard from other alumni that she was single, so I went after her with everything I had.

Rachel didn't know what to do with my feelings.

She told me she had come abroad to continue her studies and wasn't looking for a relationship.

She also admitted there was someone she still loved. Even after all that time apart, she couldn't let him go.

Her honesty only made me admire her more.

So I stayed by her side, waiting for the day she'd feel the same way.

The nice version? I was chasing her.

The honest version? I was a simp.

One day, we were out together when a riot broke out.

She was shaking in my arms.

I pulled her into a corner and prayed the crowd would move on.

I was scared too.

But I couldn't show it.

I had to protect her.

Rachel was so beautiful, she caught their attention.

When I saw their cruel smiles, I shoved her behind me and covered her with my body.

Even now, I still remember the pain of those metal bars slamming into me.

I can still hear my bones cracking.

My mind went blank.

Only one thought remained.

Rachel was behind me.

She couldn't get hurt.

I had to protect her.

Even if it killed me.

Fortunately, the police arrived.

They pulled me out when I was barely hanging on. Once I knew Rachel was safe, I finally blacked out.

When I woke up, Rachel was sitting beside my bed.

The second she saw my eyes open, tears spilled down her face.

She hugged me as gently as she could.

"Thank goodness you're okay."

After that day, everything changed.

She stopped pushing me away and stopped keeping me at a distance.

She told me, "I still can't forget Jude, but... can you give me time?"

Of course I could.

I loved her too much not to.

For a while, I worried she'd only accepted me because I'd saved her life—that guilt, not love, had made her give me a chance.

Rachel held me and said, "When you stood in front of me, protecting me, I felt safe. I want you to protect me like that for the rest of my life."

We started dating.

That day, I silently swore I'd protect Rachel forever and treat her right.

I knew Jude still had a place in her heart.

But I didn't care.

As long as Rachel stayed with me, I was willing to wait for her to love me back.

When Rachel returned to Santoria, I followed.

My parents didn't support me giving up my overseas career for her.

They tried to talk me into staying. They even suggested Rachel stay abroad with me.

But Rachel didn't want that.

She preferred life in Santoria.

I couldn't stand being away from her.

I was scared that if we went long-distance, whatever feelings she had for me would slowly fade.

So I ignored my family's objections.

My parents were so furious, they kicked me out and cut me off.

None of it mattered.

All I wanted was Rachel.