Meant to Be Yours: New Adult BBW College Romance (Derek and Jaike Book 2) by Marian Tee

from Angelo’s letter swarmed in her mind. Angelo was Anthony Carras’ nephew. Anthony was his favorite uncle. Anthony – her Uncle Tony, the man who had ultimately caused her mother’s death. Her fists clenched in disbelief and frustration. How could a man like Anthony Carras be related to Angelo Valencia?

    When I learned about my uncle’s connection to your mother’s death, I was deeply ashamed. We had always known he was not…right in his mind, but we never thought he would end up hurting another person the way he had caused harm to your mother. With all my heart, I beg your forgiveness. My whole family begs your forgiveness.
    At first, all I wanted was to ensure your well being. We set up your scholarship and made sure you were taken care of for the rest of your life. But then I met you. And just like that, all my plans were ruined. I knew I could never leave your life just like that. Even if I knew I could only have you on borrowed time, I didn’t care – I wanted to have a chance to be with you…
    Forcing you to leave me, forcing myself to hurt you was the hardest thing I had ever done in my life. But I had to do it, cara. It was the only way for you to leave your comfort zone and free yourself to discover your true strength. With me, you would always be scared of the shadows, and I owe it to you to let you go.
    If you can ever forgive me…
    I will be waiting.  
    And this time, you will know the real me.
    Yours,
    A Dom who once had you in his life.

    Jaike wiped her eyes, unsurprised to find herself crying at the mere memory of Angelo’s letter. She couldn’t believe he had carried the burden of such a secret the whole time they had been together. He really was an angel, to feel like he had to pay for the sins of his blood. How could he ever think that she’d hate him for being related to Anthony Carras?
    No matter how much she had suffered because of his uncle, in the end she knew that he was not Anthony and would never be like him.
    Thinking about Angelo made her heart constrict, and if she was honest with herself, Jaike knew a part of her was tempted to run back to him. Because Angelo was right – she had always considered him the safe choice. With him, she was never afraid of losing herself completely. But with Derek?  
    Derek Christopoulos, the man who had captured her heart from the very first time they met.  
    Derek, the man who made her want to submit to him in every way.
    Derek, the man who had told her he loved her, had been in love with her all along—
    Heat engulfed her body, and something fierce and warm filled her chest, caused by an emotion she dared not name.
    Someone knocked on the door, jerking Jaike out of her thoughts.
    “Ms. Hepburn?”
    Startled to hear herself addressed like that, she answered in a tentative voice. “Yes?”
    “Mr. Christopoulos would like to know if you are all right.”
    “Umm…yes. I am.” Why wouldn’t she be? She was only in the locker room.
    A pause.
    “The thing is, Mr. Christopoulos wants to see you right away.” The man outside the locker room cleared his throat. “He says I am to tell you that ‘he wants to see the love of his life right now’. And if that does not get you out of the locker room, I am to say that he will do what you two did—”
    “I’m coming out!” She practically burst out of the locker room, face flaming. She was so right about him. Stupid, insensitive, showoff Derek.
    Michael – one of the many bodyguards who constantly followed Derek around – appeared relieved upon seeing her and swiftly escorted Jaike to the gym. She tried to get him to walk with her but the older man insisted on walking behind her, telling Jaike it was the only way for him to do his job properly.
    “But there’s no risk to me here,” she protested.
    Michael only looked at her like she was crazy. “Mr. Christopoulos had your name included in every establishment that has his family on the VIP list. I would say you’ve been a potential