INK AND AFFECTION

★ Introduction ★

Love was this magical, enchanting tale my dad painted for me every night before bedtime. He wasn't just a father, he was a wordsmith, a sorcerer of romance, and the author of endless love stories that made your heart skip a beat. In the world's eyes, he was a famous romance novelist, but to me, he was just Dad, my beacon of light in the labyrinth of love.

Every evening, he'd wrap me in blankets and open the pages of his latest creation. His voice, brimming with fervor, would bring the characters and their love stories to life. Those nights weren't just about stories, they were life lessons, showing me what love should be. Dad said love was patient, kind, and full of understanding. It was not just a feeling, it was an adventure, a decision, and a promise.

His tales portrayed love in all its colors, from the sweet innocence of first crushes to the passion of long-time lovers. He taught me that love was in the small things: the sparkle in someone's eyes when they spoke about their dreams, the tenderness in their touch, and the unwavering support they offered during tough times.

Growing up immersed in my dad's narratives, I developed this profound craving for the kind of love he wrote about. I yearned for a love that was timeless, a love that felt like a warm embrace. It became my guiding star, leading me, sometimes too desperately, in my quest for real love.

But life outside my dad's stories was more complicated. Love wasn't always straightforward. I stumbled, fell, and had my heart broken by those who didn't cherish it the way I did. I found myself in relationships that were dim reflections of the love I had learned to believe in.

However, my dad's teachings remained a constant presence, reminding me of the love I deserved, even when I settled for less. His stories became my sanctuary, a place where I could lose myself in the hope that true love was not just a fairy tale.

In my journey to write my own story, I cling to my dad's tales like a compass, guiding me toward the love I've always dreamed of—one that begins within and radiates outward, touching everyone I encounter. And so, armed with his words as my sword, I venture into the world, hopeful, resolute, and eager to craft my own love story.

"Love is a ruthless game unless you play it good and right," echoes Taylor Swift's wisdom in my mind as I prepare to dive into the labyrinth of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. This chapter isn't just an introduction, it's a prelude to the adventure ahead, a story of finding myself, bouncing back, and, most importantly, love—love in all its shades, teaching me that the most vital love story of all is the one I craft with myself.

In the quiet corners of my heart, a new love story unfurls, its first chapter teeming with the promise of something authentic, something genuine. As the ink of my dad's teachings stains the pages of my life, I embark on a new romantic journey, hoping that this time, the love I discover will be everything I've ever envisioned.

Will you come with me?

Gabriella ★