Chapter 308

Cheers erupted. Applause, whoops, and laughter filled the hall. From the corner of my eye, I saw Derinem holding Maya, who wiped tears from her face, glowing with pride.

My cheeks burned. Nico had said he loved me. He’d said… was I dreaming? If I pinched myself—

“I need you,” Nico murmured, nuzzling my shoulder. “I want to sleep and wake up beside you, watch you model lingerie by the windows, tease you about being a Sardinian girl who can’t swim.”

A laugh spilled out, tangled with a choked sob. “That’s not romantic…”

He straightened just enough to meet my eyes, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “In summary, Elena, I can’t remember life without you, and…” His voice cracked, heavy bariton trembled. “I don’t want to find out now.”

My breath caught, but not from pain this time. His eyes, once so guarded, held nothing back. There was no masks, just Nico, baring his soul in front of everyone who mattered and those who didn’t.

“You’re serious,” I w