Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 31355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 157(@200wpm)___ 125(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 157(@200wpm)___ 125(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
“Dante,” I began hesitantly, unsure of how to bridge the gap that had opened between us. “I’m so sorry for everything. I never wanted to hurt you or the circus.”
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Ava, you did what you had to do. I can’t fault you for that. The truth needed to come out.”
I sat beside him, the bench creaking under our weight. “I just wish it hadn’t come at such a high cost.”
Dante turned to face me, his eyes searching mine. “We’ll get through this. It won’t be easy, but we’ll rebuild. And as for us…” He paused, his gaze softening. “We’ll figure it out.”
The warmth in his eyes was a balm to my wounded heart. “I love you, Dante,” I whispered, the words spilling out with a mix of relief and longing.
“I love you too, Ava,” he replied, his voice rough with emotion. He reached out, his hand cupping my cheek, his touch a reminder of the deep connection we shared.
In the quiet of the night, we found solace in each other. Our lips met in a slow, tender kiss, the world around us fading away. It was a moment of pure intimacy, a promise of the strength we’d find together. Later, we returned to the main tent, now empty and silent. We sat together on the stage, the space that had seen so much drama now a haven of peace. Dante’s arm wrapped around me, pulling me close.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us,” he said, his voice a low murmur. “But we’ll face it together.”
I rested my head on his shoulder, feeling the steady beat of his heart. “Together,” I agreed, a sense of calm settling over me. Despite the challenges ahead, I knew we’d come out stronger. Our bond, forged through trials and conflict, was unbreakable.
As the night wore on, we sat in silence, drawing strength from each other. The future was uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, I felt a flicker of hope. With Dante by my side, I was ready to face whatever came next.
Chapter Eleven
Ava
I sat at my desk, staring at the front page of the newspaper. The bold headline declared the circus’s criminal activities exposed, my exposé in black and white for the world to see. My name was right there beneath the title, but instead of pride, I felt a deep, aching sorrow. I had done my job, but the cost had been high. Lives disrupted, a community torn apart, and Dante... my thoughts lingered on him.
Steeling myself, I stood and grabbed my coat. It was time to face the circus one last time.
The grounds were bustling with activity when I arrived. Performers packed their belongings, the air filled with a mix of finality and sadness. The once vibrant atmosphere now felt like a ghost town in the making. As I walked through, I saw tears and heard hushed goodbyes. Each hug, each tearful farewell, drove home the impact of my revelations. This was the fallout of my truth-telling.
I made my way to the Big Top, the heart of the circus. Inside, Dante stood alone, a solitary figure amidst the dismantled equipment and deserted seats. The weight of the past weeks was etched into his face. Seeing him like this, the strong leader brought low, was a knife to my heart.
“Dante,” I called softly, stepping closer. He turned, his eyes meeting mine with a mixture of pain and resolve.
“Ava,” he replied, his voice rough. “I wondered when you’d come.”
I moved to stand beside him, our gazes sweeping over the empty tent. “I had to see it for myself,” I said. “The end of an era.”
He nodded, his jaw tightening. “It’s strange, isn’t it? How quickly everything falls apart.”
The sadness in his voice was evident. I reached out, my fingers brushing his arm. The contact was electric, the chemistry between us undeniable even in this moment of despair. “I’m so sorry, Dante. For everything.”
He turned to face me fully, his eyes searching mine. “You did what you had to do, Ava. I can’t fault you for that. But it doesn’t make this any easier.”
The tension between us crackled with unspoken words and unresolved emotions. I wanted to touch him, to close the distance, but the weight of our situation held me back. “I never wanted to hurt you,” I whispered.
“I know,” he said, his hand coming up to cup my cheek, his touch both tender and possessive. “But you did what was right. And that’s one of the reasons I love you.”
His words were a balm and a dagger. I leaned into his touch, my heart aching with the knowledge that our love couldn’t survive this. “I love you too, Dante. So much.”
We stood there, the world falling away as we shared a kiss filled with all the passion and pain of our circumstances. His lips were warm and insistent, a reminder of what we had, even as we knew it was slipping away.