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I want to run after him, tell him they're full of shit, and that it doesn't matter anyway, but like a big oak tree, I'm rooted to the floor and can't move.

"You can't love him. He's eight years older than you—"

"It doesn't matter, mother, our fates are destined anyway, our destinies are tethered. Even if you don't agree with it, I'd rather this than be Segregated or Rejected. I met Sophia, his Fated One. Owen, I mean. Because of him, she's Rejected. Do you know what they go through?" I demand.

"Yes, we've heard," Dad answers.

"Right, so you'd rather I go through that—"

"No, if his Knot looks like yours, you can just be with Owen, right?" Mum interrupts.

I scoff. "Don't you dare. The man faked my whole life. It's been a lie, Mum. A fucking lie. Even if I did go with Owen, I will spend the rest of my life feeling the emotions of Joshua as well as my own. I'd spend every day of my life knowing I can't be with him, knowing he's Rejected, heartbroken. I will spend my whole life wishing I was with him. I'm in love with him. Eight years isn't a big gap, it's less than ten years. He won't be my teacher in a week or two. He's applied for new jobs, we live together. I don't need your permission anymore."

They both quieten at my outburst.

"Sophia, Owen's Fated One, she lives in a shanty-town type thing, they have no electricity, she earns a pittance, if she finds love, she has to be sterilised. Even if I didn't love Joshua, I would not wish that on anyone. I couldn't reject him into that life just because you don't agree with our relationship and fate. More than that, it's not been a long time, but I can't live without him," I admit.

Joshua can hear me, and I know he can because I can feel his pride bursting like in The Lion King. Idiot.

"You're really in love with him, aren't you, Amelia?" Mum asks.

"Yes."

Both of them sigh deeply and glance at each other.

"You're an adult now, and if you're both in love, which to be fair, I can see, then we have no right to judge. That doesn't mean we like this, though, he's your professor," Mum says.

"Was. He's leaving in two weeks. It's not illegal or immoral or anything. The university is aware," I mention. "We're Fated."

"Then I guess we'll have to learn to accept it," she says. "Won't we Chris?"

"Hm," is all Dad musters up.

"If you give him a chance, he's an amazing man, and he's perfect for me," I say.

They just nod in response before leaving.

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My phone had apparently blown up while my parents were here, and I hadn't noticed it. Three missed calls and seven messages from Sam. The latest one read: 'Don't worry, nothing important just phone me when you're free, girl. Exciting!'

I chuckle and put the phone in my pocket. Something more important needs sorting right now.

"I can tell you're still annoyed," I say. "For a man, you don't hide your emotions."

He raises his eyebrows but smirks regardless. "You know that's just a stereotype and men can be as emotional as they like? Come on, you do sociology for a degree."

I chuckle and kiss his stubbled cheek. "Sure, I do. I'm just teasing you, you idiot."

His arms close around my waist until I'm flush against him. He's clinging to me for comfort, I know that much. But I'll take it; the fact he finds me comforting is an honour.

Some people find an OBE or MBE from the Queen the highest honour, some people find being an A-List celebrity with a bunch of awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame the highest honour. Me? I think the highest honour is knowing Joshua is comforted just by my presence, knowing he can confide in me, and knowing we are each other's home. As much as I would love to have unlimited funds in my bank account, I would feel satisfied if this is how the rest of my life went instead, as long as I have him.

"I'm sorry I disappointed them," he says.

"Don't be so stupid. They said they're willing to get used to it. They just need... time. Stupid, I know, but it's better than flat out yelling and screaming, right? They know there's nothing they can say to change it, they can see how much we love each other. It'll get better. They have a lot to take in, to be fair. They thought Owen and I were forever, and now they have to deal with all of this information. They'll feel like they've lost a son as well as son-in-law if you know what I mean."

He sighs, kisses my forehead before letting me go. "I guess so. I just... I never feel good enough for you."

I scoff. "Oh, please. It's me that isn't good enough for you. I'm this teenager still, by age, by the way I act... I'm scraping my grades, I have zero ambition for when I graduate, I have barely any life experience. You're educated, successful—"

"I stole the success, the car, the job, the title, everything off a different version of myself, Amelia. I don't belong in this life."

I frown, feeling the sincerity of his words. He genuinely believes all of this, and it makes my heart smash. How can he not see the truth?

"Joshua, you may have his CV and you may have not physically bought that car yourself, but you have earned everything. How many years were you Drifting between worlds, going through pain, confusion and who knows what just to find yourself? To find me? He isn't qualified for what you did back there, either. It works both ways, but you have both absolutely earned this. You both deserve to be happy, as do those around you. You fought for us, you Drifted for us. Stop thinking you don't deserve happiness, because out of every single person on this planet, you do."

He presses his forehead against mine. I watch a single tear drop from his left eye, so I wipe it away with my thumb.

"As for not deserving me... we're Fated, get used to it," I joke.

He gives me a small smile.

"I think we both deserve each other. Age has no bearing on us, nor does anything else. Parents, ex-partners, jobs, whatever. If we love each other, which I know we do, then it doesn't matter. Fuck everyone else, they don't deserve the power of our connection," I say.

He chuckles. "I love you."

"I love you too. I know it's not as easy as I make out, but please stop doubting yourself. I love you and that's it. It irritates me to keep saying it, so pull yourself together!"

We both laugh.

"You're irritating," he retorts.

"And you're annoying as fuck."

The moment we kiss, I can feel his troubles are melted away. For now.

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"Girl, what's happened?" I ask when I open the door to Sam. It's the first time she's come over since I moved in with Joshua. I suppose because he's technically her tutor for another two weeks as well, but when I explained how exhausted I am and why, she said she would come over.

"Sam," Joshua greets.

"Um, this is weird, but hi, Joshua," she answers.

"Don't worry, I'm going upstairs. I just put the kettle on. If you need it, there's wine in the fridge. I have work to do," he says and ascends the stairs.

I lead Sam through to the kitchen. "Tea or wine?"

"Tea. Can't be drinking alcohol right now. I drank far too much last night," she says. She perches on one of the kitchen chairs and I can see her bouncing her leg out of excitement.

She waits until the teas are on the table and I'm sitting to spill the beans, though.

"So, a couple of days ago, I started feeling a bit ill. Like, my chest was pounding, my head was hurting. But it wouldn't go away. My brain was humming almost, it was the weirdest sensation. Two days ago, I just got this weird... I don't know how to describe it, but something was telling me to go to London," she explains.

"London? Why?" I ask.

"No idea. But this idea that I needed to go to London just wouldn't leave, so I did it. Anyway, get there and this same voice is telling me to head to one of the museums, so I did. This feeling of haze in my head, it starts getting stronger, and I start staring at some of the people in the museum," Sam says.

I sip my tea. "Okay."

"This dark-haired guy walks up to me, and he asks if I'm Samantha. It just comes out of nowhere, but when I tell him I am, he shows me his Knot. Amelia, it was Chris from Sweden. My Fated One... he came looking for me!"

I put my mug down and excitement comes out in the form of squeals from both of us.

"Oh my god, that's amazing!" I exclaim. "What happened?"

"We just go out for coffee, and he tells me he just decided to come and find me. He'd always wanted to come to the UK, so he just went for it. He had no idea how to start looking, but he guessed he would get a feeling if I was near. He was getting vibes apparently to go south. He was planning on working his way down to the coast next week, but I came to him instead. We get on so well. It... he's come down here, and he's staying in a hotel while we get to know each other. He's so sweet."

I grin. "Oh, I'm so pleased for you!"

"I think he might stay over here if we get on like we have been, and I just... he's so hot and he's everything I wanted in a man and I didn't know it until he met me. I think I might actually believe in all of this now. Well, I think I did when I realised you two were together but whatever."

I chuckle and sip my tea. "This is truly amazing, Sam. I'd love to meet him whenever you guys are ready!"

She smiles. "Absolutely. So, what happened with your parents?"

"They don't like it, but they're willing to accept it. Best I could hope for, really. They're probably trying to take in the Owen thing. It is what it is. We're happy, so whatever."

She drains her tea. "Just give 'em time. It's a bit to adjust to, especially when they didn't know anything was up in the first place. It's been such a whirlwind, you know? He's all right, and he makes you happy, so that's all they can ask for."

"I think they'll be fine in time."

"I better go. I'll see you in the morning, bright and early," she says and stands from the chair.

As we hug each other goodbye, I can feel the pure unadulterated excitement radiating from upstairs and into my blood. Something's happened to him, but I know he's waiting for the front door to close.

When it does, I turn to look at the stairs. He's already descending them with a wide smile on his face. My heart beats harder, faster, and only for him.

"What happened?" I ask.

"I got two emails while you were down here. I got both job offers."

I don't even get to respond before he kisses me harder than I think he ever has. I'm pinned to the wall without even knowing it, and my legs hitch around his waist. This is a man so desperately proud of himself, he's being fuelled by testosterone right now, and it makes me take advantage of his desire.

"I told you," I say when he finally breaks away. It's only so he can take me into the lounge, but I take advantage of the break. "You deserve so much more than you think you do. You're amazing."

His lips quirk into a smile. "You know just what to say."

"Always," I retort before he grabs me back into a kiss so fuelled by pride that it takes my breath away, just like he's always done to me in one way or another.

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