Chapter 1

Daniella had always believed that love was supposed to be beautiful.

Not perfect, not without arguments, but beautiful enough to make two people choose each other even when life became difficult.

She had watched her friends fall in love, get their hearts broken, and swear never to love again. She had listened to their stories and laughed, promising herself that she would never be foolish enough to lose herself over a man.

Then she met Kelvin.

And suddenly, all the promises she had made to herself became meaningless.

It happened on an ordinary Friday evening.

Daniella had just left work and was standing outside a small restaurant, struggling with her handbag and phone while trying to order a ride. The sky was dark, and the threat of rain hung heavily in the air.

“Excuse me, miss. I think you dropped this.”

She turned.

A tall, well-dressed man stood behind her, holding a small purse.

Her purse.

“Oh my goodness!” She quickly collected it, checking inside. “Thank you so much. I didn’t even notice.”

“You’re welcome.” He smiled. “You should be more careful. Someone else might not be as honest as I am.”

Daniella laughed. “Or maybe I should stop carrying my entire life inside one bag.”

“That would be a good start.”

She looked at him properly for the first time.

He had a calm voice, a confident smile, and the kind of face that made a woman look twice even when she had no intention of doing so.

“I’m Kelvin,” he said, extending his hand.

“Daniella.”

“Beautiful name.”

She rolled her eyes playfully. “You say that to every woman you meet?”

“Only the ones who look like they’re about to accuse me of stealing their purse.”

She burst into laughter.

And just like that, two strangers began talking as though they had known each other for years.

When the rain finally started, Kelvin offered to drop her off. Daniella hesitated at first, but after confirming that he wasn’t some strange man with questionable intentions, she accepted.

Their conversation continued throughout the drive.

He asked about her work, her dreams, the things that made her happy. Unlike most men she had met, Kelvin seemed interested in her answers rather than waiting for his turn to speak.

When he stopped in front of her apartment, he turned off the engine.

“Can I see you again?” he asked.

Daniella pretended to think about it.

“Why?”

“Because I enjoyed talking to you.”

“That’s not enough.”

He laughed. “Because I think you’re beautiful, I like your laugh, and I’d like to know what else makes you smile.”

She looked away, trying unsuccessfully to hide her grin.

“Send me a message first. We’ll see.”

He handed her his phone, and she entered her number.

That night, Daniella went to bed smiling at a message from a man she had met only hours earlier.

Kelvin: I hope you got inside safely.

Daniella: I did. Thank you for today.

Kelvin: You’re welcome, beautiful. Sleep well.

She stared at the screen for several seconds before placing her phone beside her pillow.

She had no idea that the man who had made her smile that evening would eventually become the reason she cried herself to sleep.

For now, she was simply happy.

And sometimes, that is how the most painful stories begin.

Over the following weeks, Kelvin became a familiar part of Daniella’s life.

Good morning messages turned into late-night phone calls. Casual conversations turned into discussions about their childhoods, their fears, and the kind of future they wanted.

Kelvin was attentive.

He remembered her favourite food, called when she was stressed, and knew exactly what to say when she had a bad day.

When Daniella complained about a difficult week at work, he showed up at her apartment with food.

When she mentioned that she had been craving ice cream, he brought some the next evening.

And when she once joked that nobody had ever bought her flowers without a special occasion, Kelvin appeared at her door with a bouquet.

“You didn’t have to do this,” she whispered, staring at the flowers.

“I know.”

“Then why did you?”

He gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Because I don’t want you to feel like you have to wait for a special occasion before someone treats you well.”

Daniella’s heart melted.

She had dated before, but never had she felt so considered, so seen.

One evening, while they sat together on her couch, Kelvin took her hand.

“Daniella, I want you to know something.”

She turned to him. “What is it?”

“I’m not here to waste your time.”

Her smile faded into a look of surprise.

“I’m serious about you. I want us to build something real. Something that lasts.”

Daniella studied his face, searching for any sign that he was merely telling her what she wanted to hear.

She found none.

“Are you sure?” she asked quietly. “Because I don’t want to give my heart to someone who doesn’t know what he wants.”

Kelvin squeezed her hand.

“I know what I want.”

“And what is that?”

He looked directly into her eyes.

“You.”

Those three letters were all it took.

Daniella leaned forward and kissed him.

It was a soft kiss at first, filled with the nervous excitement of two people standing at the beginning of something beautiful. Kelvin pulled her closer, and she rested her head against his chest afterward, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

For the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to imagine a future with someone.

A home.

A family.

A man who would hold her hand in public and never make her question where she stood in his life.

She wanted to believe Kelvin was that man.

And Kelvin, holding her close, allowed her to believe it.

But there was something Daniella didn’t know.

There were parts of Kelvin’s life he had never told her about. Conversations he avoided. Questions he answered with charming smiles and quick changes of subject.

Daniella noticed these little things occasionally, but she never pressed too hard.

After all, every relationship needed time.

Didn’t it?

That night, after Daniella had fallen asleep against his chest, Kelvin’s phone vibrated on the table.

He reached for it carefully, trying not to wake her.

A message appeared on the screen.

UNKNOWN: Kelvin, when are you coming to see your son? He keeps asking about you.

Kelvin stared at the message.

For a moment, the warmth disappeared from his face.

He glanced down at Daniella, who was sleeping peacefully beside him, completely unaware of the secret sitting in his hand.

Then he typed a reply.

Kelvin: I’ll come soon. Please don’t call me tonight.