“I was lost in another place and so confused,” I told him, voice rough with disuse. “But I had your heart, Ruben. I held it close to make sure no one could hurt it. No matter how hard they tried, I wouldn’t let anyone take it away from me.” “Oh, Juliana.” He pressed his forehead to mine. “My darling. My love.” His voice broke with emotion, his whispered words raw with heartbreaking intensity. “You’ve had my heart in your hands from the very start. You always have.”
