CHAPTER 127: DARE TO LOVE ME It’s Not Too Late 

Paula 

I observed the rose sitting on the garden table. They often appeared when I was alone somewhere in the house, and I liked to imagine they were for me. It was also clear who sent them. A few days ago, there had been a fire at the girls‘ house, and I had gone to visit them. They were happy in their new home, and we were happy for them. Helping them had become my new job. A while back, I received my retirement benefits and what was owed to me monthly for working at T–World for so many years, so I was free to use my time however I saw 

fit. Patrick and I had agreed that I would manage the house since neither he nor my daughter 

had the time for it. 

He hadn’t asked for anything in return except to stay by my daughter’s side, my grandchildren, and precious Aidan. Although he was the son of the woman with whom there had once been a rivalry, and who couldn’t stand to be around me even now – it should be clarified that I couldn’t stand to be around her either – despite the years, she had made it clear that she 

blamed me for the end of her marriage to Patrick. She had visited me a few days after arriving 

in the UK a little over two years ago and had made it clear what she thought of me, which wasn’t anything good. Of course, I was a woman of character; I hadn’t let her keep insulting 

1. me. 

“Paula.” I snapped out of my thoughts and saw Patrick standing before me. He was still an 

attractive man; there was no doubt about that. 

“Patrick.” I nodded formally. It was how I kept my distance from him, but it seemed he was 

determined to break it down. 

I noticed him chuckle at my formality. 

“Since you’ve declined all my invitations for the past twenty–some years.” He laughed, and I raised my gaze. To be honest, I had refused his invitations for the past few months. I didn’t know what had happened to him, but his attention had been on me lately. 

“Imagine that maybe I should propose that dinner with something more appealing than companion.” He flashed a sideways smile. I remained silent and lifted my chin. 

your 

“There’s an art exhibition in the city; I thought you might accompany me,” he suggested. Well, art had always interested me, but what was he thinking? The time to consider a date for us had ended long ago. We should only think about the well–being of our grandchildren and our 

daughter, and he should take care of Aidan too. It was too late for autumn romances. 

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CHAPTER 127: DARE TO LOVE M… 

“Patrick,” I exhaled, “it’s unbelievable that you continue with this crazy idea. It’s too late for 

these kinds of dates,” I said without interest. 

“It’s not too late, Paula.” He lowered his head and looked at me. “It’s never too late for love.” He took the rose from the table and examined it while I felt a certain something in my body from 

his gaze. 

“I know a part of you felt something for me years ago, but you didn’t let it happen and you 

respected that. You let that love wither away as a small bud of the immense love that I’m sure 

you would feel for me. Now it can happen, nothing is stopping it. Fate has shown that we’re meant for each other.” He smelled the rose and looked at me. 

My heart started to race. This was what I had been avoiding all this time, my heart beating for someone, or for Patrick precisely. I had always refused a real relationship with him. I had been terrified of loving the way I knew I would come to love him, with everything against us. I had 

been a coward, and I still was. 

“Patrick, please stop this.” I stood up. 

“Do you want me to stop, Paula?” He approached me and ran the rose down my arm. I 

swallowed hard and sat down. 

“Yes,” I said unconvincingly. 

“You’re falling,” a voice rang in my head. 

“Mrs. Paula.” Sylvia arrived at the perfect moment. 

“Excuse me, I’ll come back later.” She apologized and tried to leave, but I had already started to 

move away from whatever Patrick was causing in me. 

We were sitting in the dining room, and as always, dinner was full of noise, the tender voices 

of my grandchildren, Tino’s craziness, Ashley’s joy, and the smile that Alaia couldn’t erase, 

looking at all of us gathered together. I winked at her when she looked at me, and she widened 

that beautiful smile. 

“My father?” My daughter asked, looking towards the stairs. 

Yes, I’d like to know that too, and just then, we saw him appear at the mentioned spot. He was 

very well dressed, his hair was perfect, and I assumed he was wearing his best cologne. 

“Aren’t you joining us?” My daughter asked, and he walked over to where we were. I tried not to 

look at him. 

“No, sweetheart, I’m going out,” he said and kissed Alaia’s head. “I’ll be late.” Father and daughter exchanged glances. 

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CHAPTER 127: DARE TO LOVE M. 

Elise’s eyes widened as she looked at me. 

“But, Patrick, look how handsome you are,” Tino observed. “You’re such a hottie.” He put both 

hands under his chin and smiled. 

“But Tino, that’s my uncle,” Ashley scolded him. 

“It’s true, honey, look at him, he’s going to waste.” She pointed at him, and I clenched the napkin in my hands while my daughter rubbed her forehead and shook her head. 

“Tino, remind me to adopt you as my son,” Patrick said, charmed by Valentino’s words. 

“Well, it would be an honor.” Tino placed a hand on his chest. “Come on, you’ll be late, go and 

wow them all.” He clapped, and Patrick continued laughing. 

“Excuse me.” My daughter’s father nodded gallantly at those present but didn’t look at me. I 

squeezed the napkin in my hands again. 

I discreetly watched him leave; Elise was eating, but I knew she was watching me. 

After dinner and spending some time together in the living room, we all went to our rooms. I 

settled into bed and decided to read a little since sleep had abandoned me that night. 

“Why aren’t you asleep? It’s past midnight.” Elise entered my room. “I saw the lamplight under the door; I thought you had left it on.” 

“I can’t sleep.” She settled beside me on the bed, and I left the book on the nightstand while I 

looked out the window from the bed. 

“Woman, I know tonight’s invitation was for you, but you, being the stubborn head that you are, 

have refused once again.” She raised her index finger. 

“Elise, we’ve talked about this; we’re not at the age for those things anymore,” I explained. 

“What are you saying? As long as we breathe, there’s a chance for love. I would love to have someone make my heart beat so fast that I feel like it’s going to burst out of my chest,” she 

said with relish. 

“Elise, dear, at our age, if that happens, it’s because we need to go to the emergency room,” I said with a laugh, and we both burst out laughing. 

“Stop being so practical, woman! Love can find us, even before the grave. Only someone as silly and stubborn as you would let it pass,” she scolded me. 

“I’m a grandmother!“. I covered my face with both hands. 

“A beautiful and youthful grandmother, with a lot to live for and caresses to feel. It came out in 

verse.” We laughed again. 

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CHAPTER 127: DARE TO LOVE M 

I heard a car pull up to the house and ran to the window, where I saw Patrick’s car pulling into the garage. I put on a robe and went downstairs to the kitchen. I could feel Elise coming up 

behind me. 

“What are we doing here?” Elise whispered from beside the counter. 

“I have no idea,” I said, fixing my hair. Elise laughed and hid behind the kitchen island as we could hear Patrick’s footsteps, surely heading towards us. 

I moved quickly and poured myself a glass of water. 

“Paula,” I heard his voice and turned to see him. 

“Patrick.” I took a sip of water. 

“How was the date?” I asked, trying not to sound too interested. 

“Good, it went well.” He approached to pour himself a glass of water, moved very close to me, and started drinking the liquid, looking at me from his height while I tried to control the nerves I was starting to feel. 

“I’m going to bed.” He put the glass down behind me and brought his face dangerously close to mine. I felt like he was going to kiss me at any moment. I stood like a statue, waiting for 

him to… do it? 

“Goodnight, Paula.” He walked away, and I continued standing there, watching him go to his 

room. 

He was such a tease! 

“That was exciting,” Elise said, coming out of her hiding place after he had gone. 

“I listened to you, Elise, but you saw what happened,” I muttered, walking towards my room. 

“You’ve been pushing him away for years, dear; you can’t expect him to be chasing after you 

forever.” Elise laughed cheerfully. 

“Goodnight,” I said, annoyed, and Elise continued laughing on her way to her room. 

I settled into bed, fluffed my pillow roughly, and closed my eyes, feeling even more annoyed as I realized how much I had wanted that kiss.