“I JUST LOVE YOU SO MUCH”

"I love you so much to leave you alone," those were the words that escaped Lara's lips a few moments later.

Lara saw that Joaquin's eyes sparkled because of what she said. She hoped that somehow those words would lighten the weight of what he was carrying. But not her.

The guilt and fear that remained in her heart she felt until now. And she knew that even if she smiled she couldn't hide it.

Because Joaquin could see that emotion in her eyes. In addition to that, they are a couple. That's why she was sure that whatever she felt, her husband can also feel it.

"In many instances of my life, women chase me, Lara," said Joaquin.

Lara nodded. She knew her husband had a lot to say at that moment. That's why she didn't try to interrupt him with whatever else he wanted to say. As a wife, she has an obligation to listen to Joaquin. And that's exactly what she did.

"Tonight, I want to be honest with you," Joaquin told her.

Lara smiled at what she heard. She wanted to cry because of everything that was happening, she could feel her husband's love for her. And that was even more intense because of the last thing he said.

"Aside from you, there is another woman who made me feel whatever I first felt for you when I first saw you," Joaquin began.

Lara immediately felt nervous because of what her husband said. She didn't know why she felt that way. But in order not to focus her attention there, she chose to assume that maybe it was just because of the guilt of what she was still doing. Because she was still lying to Joaquin about their daughter.

"It was my twenty-fifth birthday. My friends, especially Patrick, had a celebration prepared for me. By the way, you haven't even met him in person, have you?" Joaquin asked her.

"Yes, you're right, I haven't even met him yet," she agreed while inside she felt like she didn't even want to meet the man anymore.

She didn't know why but she had a feeling that something bad would happen when he met her.

"You know the word one-night stand was not new to me then," Joaquin confessed to her.

"I know that," she answered.

Her husband smiled before continuing with what else he wanted to say. "Thank you," he said, raising her hand again and kissing it.

When she did not speak, Joaquin continued again.

"They gave me a woman as a present," said Joaquin who looked at her first.

From the kind of gaze her husband gave her, Lara could tell that he seemed hesitant to tell or confess to her about that. But because he wants to be honest with her, he is forced to do that.

Apart from that, the fact that she knew she also wanted to hear what else Joaquin wanted to comment about the woman he was referring to. Because after all, that girl was none other than her.

Lara's heart was once again filled with fear. But like before, even before that fear completely engulfed her, she easily dismissed it.

"I hope you don't mind me saying this, but the first time I kissed you I thought you were her," Joaquin continued.

Lara swallowed there. But she didn't have anything to say, so instead of commenting on what he said, she just didn't speak and just kept listening.

"I know she was forced to do that," he said.

"H-How did you say that?" she finally thought of something to say.

Joaquin nodded then looked at her with assurance. As if it indicates that he is sure of what he is saying.

"That's how I felt when I saw her crying while Patrick was ordering her to dance. And how much concern I had for her then that I defended her is similar to what happened to me when I saw you stumble while being chased by two men," Joaquin's long story.

When she heard that, Lara had a hard time determining what she should feel after everything she heard. She didn't know if she should be jealous of herself. Or should she be happy because it looks like what Cynthia often told her, she and her husband were meant to be?

"Something happened to us. But I have a feeling it wouldn't have happened if we hadn't both been drinking," Joaquin confessed to her.

What her husband said was true.

Isn't it true that she was the one who gave Joaquin the motive when they were left inside the room that night?

She was high because she had been drinking. And she thinks Joaquin is the same.

But if she didn't taste beer, Callie might not be in their lives now.

“Sometimes I like to think that you and Venus are one. And to this day, I have to admit to you that I am trying to forget her. Because I love you so much, Lara," said Joaquin touching her face.

Lara smiled at what her husband said.

Maybe if Venus happens to be another woman and not her, she will definitely be jealous and hurt. But now, after everything she heard. After everything that Joaquin had confessed to her, she could say that his love for her was very deep. And that made her the happiest woman in the world.

And not only that.

He was indeed given to her by fate.

She didn't know why they had to be separated. But after all, didn't she choose that too?

It's also possible that fate doesn't really want it because if it does, she doesn't even know where to look for him. Where to find him.

"I hope it won’t change what you know now. I mean with what I confessed to you," Joaquin pleaded with her.

Lara shook her head one after the other. She wanted to remove any worries from his heart and mind, so she took action.

She gently caressed Joaquin's face and then kissed him firmly on the lips.

That kiss was only for a moment, but she made sure the emotion in there was enough to erase even the most hidden fear in the heart of the man she loved the most.

"If only I could explain everything to you. The truth is that I loved you even more after everything I heard you say," Lara said truthfully.

Joaquin's thick eyebrows rose. "Really?" the hint of satisfaction in the tone of his speech was undeniable.

He nodded. "Thank you for being honest," she said.

"I just love you so much that I don't want to hide anything from you. I love you so much, Lara. I know Papa wants me to choose him and leave you. I love Papa as I told you. And I am hurt by the thought that I was the reason for his tears and resentment earlier. But I'm sure eventually everything will be fine with us. He will accept both of us, including our daughter," Joaquin said at length again in a tone full of hope.

Lara's heart was once again caressed by overwhelming happiness. That's why instead of speaking, she just kissed Joaquin on the lips again. While her heart was hoping that she would find the courage and bravery to confess to him everything he needed to know.