"I love Alena."
Aiden blinked, stunned. "What?"
"You heard it right." Kieran finally turned his head, meeting Aiden's shocked expression. "I love her."
Aiden shifted uncomfortably in his seat, words fumbling. "But—"
"I don't know when it happened, or how it happened," Kieran cut him off, voice firm but tinged with vulnerability. "But it did. And the only thing I know for sure now is that I want her. Forever."
Aiden's throat bobbed, still in disbelief. "Boss… but she's"
Kieran's gaze sharpened, "She what, Aiden?"
"She's, you know—" he didn't dare to complete the sentence.
Kieran looked at him, piercing straight through his soul. "What's your body count, Aiden?"
The younger man stiffened. "Boss?"
"How many women have you slept with?" Kieran pressed, his eyes narrowing as if he were staring into his very soul.
Aiden's lips parted, but no sound came. He looked away, unable to answer.
A humorless chuckle escaped Kieran. "Why? Can't remember the count?"
Aiden remained silent, shame creeping up his neck.
Kieran chuckled again, but this time it was softer, more pained. "Why is it that a man can boast about how many women he's had, but a woman, if she's been with many, by choice or not, is branded dirty or wh*re?"
He paused, his voice lowering into something almost sorrowful. "Nobody in this world is a saint, Aiden. Not you, not me. But here's the difference: you did it by choice. She didn't."
Kieran laughed again, this time bitterly. "Funny, isn't it? A man can sleep around and still be respected. But a woman, even if she was forced, broken, left with no choice, yet she's the one called dirty. Why?" His voice hardened.
The words struck hard. Aiden lowered his gaze, guilt weighing on his shoulders.
Kieran's hand landed gently on Aiden's shoulder. "I'm not shaming you, Aiden. It's your life, your choices. But I want you to question the sick thoughts that society feeds us."
"Alena was forced into things no woman should endure. She wasn't given a choice. And yet she's the one people call dirty? Unworthy?" His eyes burned with conviction.
"But for me… she's the most beautiful soul I've ever met, a human, a young woman who paints beautifully with her soul, who is kind, who still dares to crave love, has a dream even after being broken."
Kieran's voice softened, the weight of his heart in every word. "I want to give her everything she was denied. To love her endlessly. To cherish her. To protect her dreams, her smile."
The silence in the car was heavy, but it wasn't empty. Aiden's chest tightened as realization dawned. He hadn't even noticed how society had twisted his thoughts, how unconsciously he'd labeled Alena as tainted. His eyes stung with shame.
"I'm sorry, Boss," Aiden whispered hoarsely.
Kieran's lips curved into a faint, tired smile. He patted his shoulder once more. "Don't be sorry to me. Just don't let those sick thoughts live in you anymore."
Aiden swallowed hard, then nodded, his gaze steady this time. "I understand, boss."
Reassured by the sincerity, Kieran turned his attention back to the road, and the silence that followed was calmer, almost cleansing. Together, they drove back to the farmhouse.
The farmhouse was quiet when Kieran returned. He made his way to Alena's room, the weight of his confession still heavy in his chest but not burdensome, like a truth finally set free.
She lay curled on the bed, exhaustion written all over her delicate features. Her brows furrowed even in sleep, as if the shadows of her past still clung to her dreams.
Kieran sat beside her carefully, his hand brushing back strands of hair from her face. He leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. His whisper was low, almost a vow. "I love you, my crybaby."
"And I'll make sure no one, no past, no person, ever makes you cry again," he said with a firm yet gentle voice. "You deserve more love than this world could ever give, and I'll spend my life proving it to you."
She stirred faintly, a soft sigh escaping her lips before she slipped deeper into sleep again. Kieran's smile softened as he pressed a playful kiss to her nose.
He slipped under the blanket beside her, adjusting it around them with quiet care. As he pulled her closer, and her body moved instinctively, snuggling into his chest, her small hands clutching his shirt as though afraid he'd leave.
The sight pierced him, equal parts warmth and ache. She needed this. She needed him.
Kieran held her tighter, tucking her securely into his arms. His chest rose and fell with a deep breath, and for the first time in a long while, his heart felt steady, clear. With her warmth against him, he drifted into sleep, his last thought a silent promise carved into his soul.
No matter what comes, I'll protect you. Always.
Next Morning
The morning light seeped gently through the curtains, painting the room in a soft glow. Alena stirred, her lashes fluttering as she blinked awake. The first thing she felt was warmth, steady, protective, wrapped around her.
Her eyes opened fully, and there he was. Kieran. His arms still holding her as if letting go was unthinkable. For a moment, her mind scrambled to remember last night, the storm of tears, the exhaustion, the way her body finally gave in. But when her gaze fell on his sleepy face, peaceful and boyishly soft, she forgot everything. For the first time in a long while, she felt safe. Protected.
Then came his voice, still heavy with sleep, that broke the quiet."You need to rest more."
She blinked at him, startled. His eyes were still closed, a lazy smile tugging at his lips. When he finally opened them, the smile reached his gaze, warm and calm.
"You… you slept here last night?" she asked. Her voice was hoarse, her throat dry from all the crying. Her eyes were swollen, and her lip carried the bruise she had given herself yesterday.
"Yes, baby," he replied easily, the affectionate word slipped out like it belonged.
"Baby?" she echoed, blinking in surprise.
He chuckled, pulling her closer against his chest. "Mm-hmm. I slept here, with you. Because you needed me. You fell asleep in my arms, clutching my shirt, refusing to let me go."
Her breath caught. Did she really do that? She blinked rapidly, processing, then stammered, "I… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"
"Don't be sorry," he interrupted softly. "Make it a habit instead. From now on, you'll be sleeping in my arms every night."
Her brows furrowed, her lips parting. "What… what are you saying? This is not right. What will people thi—"
"I love you," he cut her off, steady and unshaken.
She froze. Her heart skipped, her mind going blank. "What?"
Kieran leaned closer, his smile tender. "I said, I love you, crybaby."
Her lips parted, but no words came. She stared at him, overwhelmed, searching for something to say. He chuckled at her silence and leaned in, brushing a soft peck against her lips. She froze again, her heart hammering in her chest. His forehead rested against hers, his eyes holding nothing but truth.
"Whatever you heard," he whispered, "it's right. I love you, Alena. Deeply. And I want to be with you. Forever."
Her vision blurred, tears threatening again. "This is not right," she murmured, voice breaking.
He caressed her cheek with his thumb, calm and patient. "And why do you think so?"
She sniffled, looking down. "Because… I don't deserve you. If I stay with you, I'll only bring disgrace to you."
His hand slid to her back, rubbing it gently, grounding her. "Why do you think like that?" when I don't," he said softly.
"If it's because of your past, let me tell you clearly, I don't care about it. And even if I have to care, then so be it. Because none of it was your fault. And still, I choose you."
Her eyes met his again, brimming with tears. She opened her mouth, ready to list every broken piece of herself, but before the words could escape, Kieran pressed his lips against hers.
It wasn't rushed, wasn't demanding. Just steady, sealing the words she didn't need to say. She let her eyes close, the tears finally spilling down her cheeks.
He pulled back slowly, whispering against her lips, "I love you. All of you. Your past, your present, your future. Everything."
She sobbed softly, and he brushed her tears away. "Now stop crying, crybaby. Start dreaming instead. Dream about your future, with me." His smile that followed was so warm, so heartbreakingly handsome, it made her heart ache.
She hit his chest weakly with her fist, still sobbing.
"Ouch, that hurts," he groaned dramatically, clutching his chest.
Despite herself, she giggled through her tears. The sound was small, shaky, but real.
He grinned, pulling her back into his embrace. "I'm here, Alena. And I'll be with you always. No one will ever hurt you again, not while I'm alive."
She looked at him, and for the first time, she believed those words. His eyes left no room for doubt. Slowly, she leaned forward and captured his lips with hers.
Kieran's heart skipped, then fluttered wildly as he kissed her back. It wasn't just a kiss; it was her acceptance, her trust. He smiled against her lips, deepening it into something warm, steady, and full of promise.
When they finally pulled back, he let out a dramatic sigh, his grin boyish. "Oh damn… You taste so good. Even early in the morning. How did I get lucky enough to taste those untouchable lips?"
She laughed softly, cheeks heating. "Liar. You stole my kiss yesterday without even asking."
He chuckled, tightening his arms around her. "That wasn't a kiss, baby. That was just a peck, to shut you up."
Her eyes narrowed in mock annoyance. "Whatever. You still stole it."
"Mm," he teased, squeezing her closer. "Then get used to it, because from now on, I'll be stealing them all the time."
She avoided his eyes, hiding her face in his chest. He smiled, kissing her hair gently.
"You need to rest more, baby. Let's sleep a little longer."
Her muffled voice came from against his chest. "Don't you have work today?"
"I do," he murmured, pressing another kiss to her head. "But I don't want to go. I want to spend time with you. This is our first day of love."
She giggled softly into his shirt. His chest rumbled with his own laugh as he pulled her tighter. Wrapped in each other's warmth, they drifted back to sleep, the world outside forgotten.