The Ones Who Stayed
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- Parts 3
Catalina Navarro learned a long time ago that love always comes with a price.
Growing up in Spain, her childhood was filled with secrets, fear, and nights spent hiding from a home that never felt safe. The only person who truly knew what she was going through was her childhood best friend, Alexia Putellas-the girl whose family gave Catalina somewhere to run when everything became too much.
They promised they would never leave each other.
Then Catalina was suddenly taken to England, leaving behind the girl who once knew her better than anyone. Years passed, messages went unanswered, and Alexia became another person Catalina believed had abandoned her.
At Arsenal, Catalina found Leah Williamson.
What began as a friendship between teammates slowly became the safest thing in Catalina's life. Leah learned how to read her silences, calm her nightmares, and recognise the moments when Catalina was pretending everything was fine.
But there is one secret even Leah does not know.
Behind closed doors, Catalina is trapped in a relationship that is slowly destroying her. Her partner controls where she goes, who she speaks to, and how much of herself she is allowed to keep. Catalina knows she should leave, but fear has a way of convincing her that nobody else could ever love someone as broken as her.
Then Alexia signs for London City Lionesses.
Suddenly, Catalina's past is standing in front of her again, refusing to let her hide. Alexia recognises the fear Catalina has become too good at concealing, while Leah begins noticing the bruises, the excuses, and the way her best friend flinches at unexpected touches.
Alexia remembers the girl Catalina was before everything went wrong.
Leah loves the woman she has fought to become.
As both women try to show her the kind of love she has never known, Catalina must find the courage to escape the person hurting her-and decide whether her heart belongs with her first home or the best friend who never sto
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