Stella's P.O.V.

In the evening, I stand in front of the mirror, getting ready for my mother's birthday party. Alex enters my room, carrying a box in his hand. After locking the door, as he turns around, his eyes darken with desire when he sees me. I'm dressed in a bodycon dress that ties at the shoulders.

The way he looks at me makes me feel so desirable, but deep inside, I still feel insecure about my body.

"Come here," he says, sitting down on the sofa. "I got something for you."

"It's Mom's birthday, Alex, not mine." I smile as I settle down beside him.

He opens the box, revealing two elegant watches. Without a word, he takes one and gently clasps it around my wrist. I watch him with curiosity as he secures the second watch on his wrist.

Why has he suddenly brought watches for us?

I look up at him, confused. "Alex, what's all this about?"

He takes my hands in his, his thumbs softly brushing over my knuckles. His gaze is deep, holding an intensity that makes my heart race. "Stella, when you fainted last time...when you had that panic attack, I can't even explain how terrified I was. I thought I lost you... it tore me apart."

I can see pain in his eyes, which makes me emotional. Why does he love me so much? I don't understand.

"Alex..."

He shakes his head, caressing my cheek with his thumb. "I can't go through that again. I won't." He glances at the watches and continues, "These watches—they're not just accessories, Flower. They're linked. If your heart rate spikes, mine will beep. I'll know you need me, no matter where I am."

I stare at him, completely speechless. How can he care about me so much?

A tear slips down my cheek, and he gently wipes it away. "This way, if you ever feel that panic creeping up, I'll know. Then I'll come to make you feel better immediately, because I also get to know about your location through it."

I'm filled with gratitude, awe, and a deep, unspoken love. I'm so touched.

"This means a lot, Alex." I hug him tightly, wrapping my arms around his neck. Tears stream down my cheeks constantly and my lips curve up in a smile. "Thank you so much for this precious gift."

"I can't let anything happen to you, Stella. You're my everything now." He presses his lips on my head, causing more tears to trickle down my cheeks. My chest is getting heavy with so many emotions. No one's ever looked out for me like this. He makes me feel safe, seen, and loved.

After a minute, he pulls back and looks at me with a playful smile, trying to lift the mood. "Now, shall we head downstairs? Or should we just stay up here and pretend it's your birthday instead?"

I laugh, wiping my tears. "As tempting as that sounds, I think Mom would notice if I skipped her party."

He stands up and holds his hand out to me. "So let's go."

I take his hand and rise from the sofa. "Hold on a second. I need to get ready properly."

I rush for a shrug hanging nearby and start slipping it on over my shoulders. Alex watches, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"Why are you covering up?" He asks as he eyes the shrug over my dress.

I glance down. "I...I just don't feel confident, Alex. This dress doesn't suit me," I respond, trying to avoid his gaze.

He steps closer and lifts my chin so I'm looking up into his eyes. "Are you out of your mind, Stella? How many times have I told you—your body is so damn perfect? Do you still think I'm lying to you?"

I stay silent, my eyes lowering. A part of me knows he's right but still struggling with the memories that haunt me.

"Alex, I know you wouldn't lie to me. But he...he made me feel so insecure about my body. I can't take his words out of my mind."

"So this is the reason you wear clothes that cover up your body? Because of that fucking dumbhead." Alex's expression hardens, his jaw clenched. I just nod in response.

He moves even closer. "Listen to me, Stella. You can't let some idiot's cruel words define how you see yourself. He doesn't get to have that kind of power over you. You're so much more than what he made you feel."

"It's just...his words are still there, like an echo. Every time I put something like this on, I feel...wrong." I look down, angry at myself. I don't know why I let that asshole still affects me so much.

He cups my face, forcing me to meet his gaze. "Flower, you're stunning, exactly as you are, and I won't stop reminding you of that until you finally see yourself the way I see you."

I close my eyes for a moment, absorbing his words, and letting them settle over me like a warm blanket. He is always there to pull me back when I start slipping away. What is he doing to me? How can anybody love me so much?

"Please, for me, don't wear the shrug." He requests, brushing his thumb across my cheek. "Out there, every eye will be on you, and they'll see exactly what I see—the amazing woman that you are. Trust me."

I open my eyes and give him a slight nod. He never made me feel anything less than beautiful, and I want to believe him, to trust his confidence in me.

I slowly slip the shrug off before placing it back on the hanger. Alex's face lights up, and he reaches for my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "There you are. My gorgeous girl."

A warm confidence blooms in my chest, something I haven't felt in so long. I can feel the way he looks at me, as if I'm everything he wants, and it drowns out all the insecurities that used to haunt me.

I stand on my toes and peck on his cheek. "You're the best, Alex. Do you know that?"

"I try." He pretends to brush imaginary dust off his shoulders. "But only for you, Flower."

And just like that, he steals my heart all over again.

I take his hand in mine and squeeze it tightly. "Thank you... for all of this, for being here."

"Always. Now, let's go show the world the incredible woman you are." He grins at me.

I take a deep breath, nodding and feeling confident because of him. Every day, he melts my heart a little more, and I can see the day isn't far away I'll be ready to give him my heart entirely.