My back wouldn't stop sweating. Reyes and his men kept chasing us relentlessly... Didn't they have anything better to do? Probably not! I glanced in every direction, wondering where to go. Miguel wouldn't stop looking back, seemingly scared. I wanted to get rid of the horrible feeling that returned when I thought of Juliette putting her hands on Gálvez... I couldn't watch that without freaking out! Such a witch... I'd never felt that before, not even when other ladies looked at Dirk, which wasn't common since he shot angry glares at everyone. I pressed my lips together while recalling his cruelty... There was no doubt I'd made the wrong decision by staying with him. The big question was... Should I make the right choice or forget the four-letter word forever? Besides thinking of that, I remembered a place Miguel and I could hide. Perhaps we wouldn't die that night if I wasn't wrong about the location.

"Andrew has a house here," I panted while running faster. "He gave me the key in case we needed to hide."

Miguel turned to me, "Is it nearby?"

"I believe it's that way," I pointed to the beach towards the left. "Maybe we can get there before the idiots reach us."

He sighed, "We should lose them first."

I nodded and approached a fruit stand. Throwing countless oranges and apples behind me, I pulled Miguel closer so that he wouldn't trip. Every man chasing us fell on the floor. Reyes tripped on some oranges and bared his teeth, seemingly furious.

I chuckled, "Can't go wrong with a classic."

The Spaniard laughed. We quickly turned left and reached a quieter street. I looked in every direction. No men were there, so I sighed in relief. Wiping the sweat off my face, I walked towards the beach. Knight had said the house was light blue with two floors. Luckily, a residence that matched the description was a few steps away.

"Do we really need to get in?" I rubbed my chin. "The Armada guys disappeared. Perhaps we can return to the street."

Miguel discreetly pointed back, "I'd take that away if I were you."

I gulped as Reyes came back with more SHA men. Although he hadn't seen Gálvez and me yet, it was a matter of time until it happened. We'd probably be doomed if we remained outside... I had to enter the residence of a stranger! Wasn't that great? Not a complete stranger, but still.

I opened the door, "I hate it when you're right."

After we entered, I locked the door and closed all the curtains. Now it was too dark... Great! More problems! Even though I didn't want to light the candles, I had no choice. Knight's residence wasn't dirty like Atkins' and he had a better taste for paintings. The furniture's wood was lighter, the walls less destroyed, and the fabrics of the armchairs and sofas more colorful.

I glanced at a painting, "How long do you think we should stay here?"

"Probably until the SHA disperses," Gálvez peeked through the window and closed the curtain. "I don't believe they'll vanish soon."

I smiled sarcastically, "That's wonderful!"

Hoping he wouldn't notice my absence, I went to a bedroom. Sitting by the bed, I controlled myself not to cry... Guess what? Juliette had made me crazy! If I said her cruelty had caused my misery, I'd be lying. Just like kissing Miguel, hearing that annoying lady's nonsense made me more aware of my feelings. If Maartje were at that dinner, she would've said I was jealous of the witch... and I really was.

I put both hands on my face, "Why can't I stop feeling this way?"

I stared at the chandelier. Could I be preventing myself from having something beautiful? If Dirk was horrible, there was no way I'd love again... or would I? The agony slowly killed me like a poison that had only one antidote... The man who'd been my best friend and taken care of me for years. The one I should've given my heart to since the beginning.

Should I keep these emotions to myself? What if Miguel still loves Juliette?

When Gálvez showed up, I smiled widely. He slowly approached and I stood up, hoping Miguel wasn't a mind reader... Yeah, things would get weird if he was. My heartbeat was significantly accelerated as if begging me to tell him the truth.

"I'm sorry about Juliette. She loves humiliating others," Miguel gazed downward and smiled sweetly. "Especially when they're better than her."

"I... Thank you," I cleared my throat. "Can I ask you something?"

He nodded. I took several deep breaths, hoping I wouldn't trip on the words again... Wasn't that horrible? I hated looking stupid! My headache returned as I wondered if the Spaniard would say yes.

My hands started sweating, "Do you still have feelings for Juliette?"

Miguel shook his head in denial, "Definitely not. Being with her was a horrible mistake."

No hesitation? You're only making this harder!

Pacing, I rubbed my forehead. Gálvez had made things worse... Why did he have to be so wonderful? If he loved that crazy lady, I'd have fewer difficulties suppressing my feelings... Who am I kidding? It was too late! My mouth was half-open. I couldn't stop looking at him.

"You should've done what she asked!" I scowled. "Can't you be a jerk once in your life?"

Miguel raised a brow, "What are you talking about?"

"Destroying people's hearts is part of human nature!" I panted. "How can you be so out of this world?"

"No entiendo," he tilted his head to the side. "Are you scolding or complimenting me?"

"Both! I don't know!" I pulled my hair. "My mind is making me crazy..."

Gálvez caressed my shoulders, "Eva, take a deep breath. What's going on?"

My eyes bulged, "Punch me in the face! Break a vase on my head! Anything!"

"I'm not doing that," the Spaniard frowned. "Why do you want violence?"

I breathed quickly, "Because it'll be easier not to love you!"

Miguel gawked. I put a hand on my mouth, paralyzed... Although I wanted to regret what I said, I didn't. My heart was light as a feather. Gálvez walked closer, seemingly amazed. I knew my cheeks were red, but I didn't care. There was no way I'd keep hiding my feelings. I couldn't let Bosch's mistreatment stop me from being with the man I loved.

"Dirk was only right about two things. First, I smile like an idiot when you're nearby," I approached him. "Second, my feelings for you never disappeared."

His eyes widened, "They didn't? Not even when you were with him?"

"No. The more I fought these emotions, the stronger they became," I took a deep breath. "Somewhere in my heart, I knew something was off."

"Caramba..." Miguel sighed pronouncedly. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"Although I was in love with Dirk for a while, I couldn't admit I'd picked the wrong man," I felt warm inside. "Violence and betrayal weren't the real reasons why that relationship failed."

Gálvez knit his brows, "What caused the failure then?"

"Simple. He wasn't you," I looked deep into his eyes. "I tried to deny it, to suppress it, to stop it... but I can't anymore. I don't want to."

I haven't felt so good in a long time...

The SHA vanished from my thoughts. It was just Miguel and I surrounded by a bunch of candles... Perhaps Nuria was right about their magical effect. I took Gálvez's hands in mine, hypnotized by his fantastic brown eyes.

"I made a huge mistake by choosing him. It's you. It has always been," I sighed pronouncedly. "Who am I kidding? You're much more than just my friend!"

Miguel grinned mischievously, "Really? What else am I?"

"Isn't it obvious?" I took a step back. "You're my best friend!"

Gálvez pressed his lips together. I laughed loudly, unable to hold it any longer. He chuckled as I caressed his hands... Don't worry, I was just teasing.

"I'm joking!" I laughed more. "We're best friends, but that's not what I wanted to say."

"That was mean," the Spaniard winked. "I liked it."

"You're my sunshine, the light that brightens my darkest days, and the person who always makes me happy. When I'm with you, all challenges seem easy," my lips curled into a sweet smile. "I love you, Miguel. Deeply and completely."

He was paralyzed. I wondered if I should've hidden my feelings... Who am I trying to fool? Of course, I shouldn't have! If I kept the truth to myself, I'd lose my mind... No, I'm not exaggerating.

"If it weren't for Juliette, perhaps I would've never told you how I feel. I freaked out every time she touched you," my heart pounded. "Dirk was my first love, but you're my true love."

My quartermaster smiled widely. How did I have the guts to tell him everything? Perhaps I was sick of being unhappy. Although many people tried to convince me otherwise, I didn't deserve to suffer. Gálvez was the one important part of my life that was missing. My nosy family was right... We weren't just friends. Honestly, we never were.

"I can't believe I've waited so long to tell you the truth!" I shook my head in denial. "This is embarrassing. I should..."

Miguel wrapped his arms around my waist, closed his eyes, and interrupted me with a fervent kiss. When our lips met, I felt complete. I shut my eyes and put my hands around Gálvez's neck as he pulled me closer. Everything seemed insignificant while we loved each other intensively. I thought I was floating. Feeling his taste more than I did on the previous night, I kissed him back slowly. My only regret was not opening my heart earlier. I gasped as that magical moment ended. We remained looking at each other for a long while. After years with the wrong person, I couldn't believe I'd finally made the right choice.

"It was worth the wait," Miguel caressed my face gently. "You're the love of my life."

"So are you. I wish I'd realized it before," I laughed while wiping away a happy tear. "You should be arrested for heart theft!"

"The same is true about you, guapa. I wasn't completely honest when I said I didn't know anyone who remained in love for years," he chuckled. "I was talking about myself."

I played with my hair, "Why didn't you tell me how you felt that night?"

"You'd just broken up with someone," Gálvez chewed on his lip. "It wouldn't be right to take advantage of that to make a move."

How can I be so lucky? I really should've listened to my heart earlier...

Smiling, I shook my head in denial... Could Miguel be any more wonderful? Even though Gálvez always respected people, I didn't think he'd do that. I probably would've never done the same. If we'd met when he broke up with Juliette, I'd try to have him for myself in my first opportunity... Don't judge me! You'd be tempted to do the same with the person you love.

I approached him, "From all women, why the strange and crazy pirate?"

"You're brave, smart, beautiful, and make me laugh like no one else. The queen of my heart and the woman I've been looking for my entire life," Miguel took my hands in his. "Everything feels wrong when we aren't together. Without you, I'm incomplete. I love you, Eva."

"I'm so happy I could burst," I giggled. "You've felt this way for a long time, haven't you?"

He nodded, "After we met, I've only loved you more. I wanted to kiss you every day since I moved to Ocean Storm."

Chuckling softly, I shut the door. A relatively crazy idea had crossed my mind. My heart was so accelerated that I almost ran out of air. Suddenly, the flame of each candle seemed more intense. Surrounding Miguel's neck with my hands, I slightly narrowed both eyes.

I slowly licked my lips, "Are you sure kissing me was everything you wanted?"

Gálvez smiled coyly, "Allow me to properly answer your question..."

I felt warm inside as Miguel slid his hands down my back. He gently pulled me closer until our bodies touched. Feeling his lips on my neck, I closed my eyes. Each kiss gave me amazing jitters... I smiled so much that I looked like a crazy lady. Wrapping my legs around Miguel, I let him carry me to the bed.

"I'm all yours," I panted. "If you stop, I'll be very upset."

Miguel winked, "I haven't even started."

Once Gálvez and I took our clothes off, we kissed like never before. I felt more alive than ever during the best part of our intimate moment. Covered by the sheets, I rested my head on Miguel's chest while he embraced me. His heartbeat was one of my favorite sounds. Before sleeping, we put our outfits back on. That was the best night of my life... Yes, the best! There was no aggression, fear, or hesitation... Just two weird souls loving each other.

****

Author's note: Hey! Thank you for reading! I hope everyone is well. Please vote and comment if you enjoyed this chapter and follow the "Battles and Secrets" playlist on Spotify. All translations can be found below. Miva is real! Eva and Miguel are together! YAAYY! 🎉🥰 I'm glad I've finally published this chapter, which is one of my absolute favorites. I tortured you all for a long time lol... What are the next challenges of our adorable couple? Will Eva's mother continue helping the SHA? Keep reading and you'll find out... :-)

I dedicate this chapter to all Miva shippers! Thank you for always supporting my dear couple!

Quick question: Are you a Miva shipper? For those who say yes... If you started shipping Miva on this book or after the last few chapters of the first one, comment two red heart emojis ❤❤. If you've been shipping Miva since before the last few chapters of the first book, comment three ❤❤❤. Give me your hearts, people! --->

Foreign words/expressions in order of appearance:

1. No entiendo means "I don't understand" in Spanish

2. Caramba expresses surprise in Spanish