Lahat ng Kabanata ng Love Among Thorns : Kabanata 41 - Kabanata 48

Amara was exhausted by the time she slipped through the front door that afternoon, her bag slung over one shoulder, her mind still buzzing with lectures and assignments.But the moment she stepped inside, all of it faded away.Because Rafael was there.Waiting for her.He was leaning against the staircase, arms crossed, shirt sleeves rolled to his elbows, eyes locked on her like she was the only thing in the world worth looking at.“Welcome home, bella,” he murmured.She smiled instantly, her heart doing that ridiculous flutter it always did with him.She dropped her bag, kicked off her shoes, and practically melted into his chest.“Rough day?” he asked, wrapping his arms around her, warm and solid.“A little,” she admitted. “Just a lot of people. A lot of noise.”He kissed her hair.“I was thinking,” Rafael said slowly, almost like he was nervous — which immediately caught her attention — “maybe we could do something… nice.Something just for you.”She pulled back to look at him, bro

Rafael woke to the sound of rain tapping softly against the windows.For one beautiful, disoriented moment, he forgot everything except the feel of her.Amara was curled against him, breathing slow and even, one hand resting protectively over the slight curve of her belly — their child sleeping safely within her.Rafael propped himself up on one elbow, just looking at her.His chest ached, almost painfully.He hadn’t known it was possible to love someone like this — so fierce, so endless, so all-consuming.He brushed a few strands of hair from her forehead, fingers trembling a little.“Mine,” he thought fiercely.“Mine to protect. Mine to love. Mine forever.”He wanted to wake her with a kiss.He wanted to keep her tucked in this bed, safe, away from the world.But today wasn’t about hiding.Today was about standing in front of everyone — enemies and allies alike — and claiming her for all the world to see.Today, Amara was going to become his wife.—The house exploded into chaos aro

The world outside their little sanctuary faded away — no more mafia wars, no more shadows lurking at the edges.Just Rafael and Amara.Two broken souls stitched together by love.The room was filled with the scent of her perfume, the rumpled silk of the bedsheets, and the steady sound of Rafael’s heart beating under her cheek.He hadn’t let her go.Not for a second.One of his arms was wrapped around her back, keeping her pressed to his chest. His other hand stroked lazy patterns along her spine, back and forth, soothing and slow.Amara let out a little sigh of pure contentment, snuggling closer.“I don’t want this night to end,” she whispered into the space between them.Rafael tightened his hold slightly, pressing a kiss into her hair.“It doesn’t have to,” he murmured.“Not ever. Every night… every morning… every lifetime. You’re mine.”She smiled against his skin, feeling his words settle into her bones like a promise.A heavy, warm silence stretched between them, thick with exhau

Five months laterAmara stood in the garden behind their house, her hand absentmindedly resting on her rounded belly.The baby kicked — a firm, fluttery nudge — and she laughed under her breath, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. Every little movement still felt like a miracle.The house Rafael had bought for them was thriving now, filled with life — the garden had bloomed under her care, bursting with herbs, flowers, and tiny vegetables. Every morning, Rafael insisted on inspecting it like it was a fortress wall that needed guarding, muttering about “keeping his girl and his heir well-fed.”Amara smiled, feeling warmth rise in her chest.Footsteps crunched over the gravel behind her, and she didn’t even have to turn to know it was him.“You’re supposed to be resting, corazón,” Rafael’s voice rumbled gently.Amara grinned without looking back. “I’m not running marathons, Rafa. I’m watering tomatoes.”He chuckled, the sound low and adoring. A moment later, his arms wrapped caref