How do we know we deserve love when the world keeps giving us reasons to believe we don't? In the midst of darkness and suffering, Mara Shin Salvatiera-a woman who wears strength like armor and hides every trace of vulnerability-finds a new kind of light. Not the blinding, overwhelming kind, but a warmth so gentle it feels like home. She never thought light could take the shape of a person-until Eiron Clyde Martinez, whose brightness reaches the corners she's long kept in shadows. Hindi ito ang gusto ni Mara. Wala sa plano niyang maging masaya habang nakaratay sa ospital ang ina niya. Ayaw niyang may makasaksi ng kahinaan niya, o makarinig ng tinig sa isip niyang puno ng galit, takot, at pagmamakaawa. She felt exposed-yet strangely, finally, at ease. Pero paulit-ulit siyang pinaaalalahanan ng isip niya na wala siyang karapatang makaranas ng saya, kapayapaan, o maging pagmamahal. She tries to run, to escape the softness she's convinced she doesn't deserve... only to find herself caught in Eiron's arms, embraced fiercely-thorns, fire, and all-even if loving her burns him. Ngunit hanggang kailan niya kakayaning tanggapin ang masakit na pagmamahal? Gaano kabigat ang kaya niyang dalhin? Hanggang kailan tayo dapat magmahal? At kailan natin dapat sabihing... "tama na"? Kailan nagsisimula at kailan natatapos ang karapatan nating mahalin? Drawn to Your Flames Published: 10/10/25