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“I spent five damn years locked up, convinced that all I needed was revenge and to take back what we lost. But it only left me feeling empty.” My voice cracks, and my throat clogs with emotion.
She gazes down at me, her eyes widening.
“Living without you is like trying to breathe without air. Every good thing I ever felt is because of you. You’re in my blood, in my bones, in my fucking soul. I can’t even function without you, Emberly.”
She makes a strangled sound in the back of her throat, but I continue.
“When Galliano gave me the chance to choose between me and you, I was ready to sacrifice my life. My death in exchange for redemption.”
Her breathing quickens.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to fix things between us. Fuck, baby, I can’t believe I was so dumb, blinded by vengeance. I was an idiot for breaking your heart.”
“You were,” she says.
“And I’m sorry.” I shake my head and gaze up at her through blurred eyes. “Words aren’t enough. Losing you is like getting my chest ripped open and losing my heart.”
I blink, loosening tears. Every fiber of my being aches with sincerity, but I’ve told so many lies that I’ll never convince her of my truth.
“You’re everything I ever wanted, baby. Hell, you’re everything I didn’t know I needed. I’m here on my knees, ribs all busted, with tears pouring down my cheeks, begging you for something, anything. Even a crumb. I’ll crawl over broken glass just to get you back.”
Seconds pass, and my throat closes up until my breath becomes shallow. I wait several agonizing moments for her to speak.
“I also have an apology to make to you,” she murmurs.
My brows pull together. “What is it?”
She drops her gaze to her swollen belly. “It’s the baby. He’s yours.”
“A boy?” I whisper. Galliano hinted at the gender, but it didn’t register. I was too preoccupied with Emberly’s safety. The real message behind her words hits me in the gut.
“And he’s mine?”
“Yeah.” she says, her eyes shining with tears.
“You’re sure?”
She gives me another nod.
“Because it doesn’t matter if he’s Callahan’s son. I’ll love him all the same.”
Emberly takes hold of my face with both hands. “Roman, he’s your baby. My due date is in three months.”
Love blooms in my chest, along with a wave of possession. I force back the urge to claim them both. My days of controlling the woman I love are over. If Emberly wants to walk away, I won’t force her to stay.
“I’ve set up an account for you containing ten million dollars. It’s yours. Lubelli is working on setting up an online business for you, so you can be independent. You’ll always have your freedom. I will never make you feel trapped.”
Silence stretches out as I gaze up into her tear-streaked face, which has never been more beautiful. Emotions war across her features, and I hold my breath, waiting for her to speak.
“I understand why you did it,” she says, her voice wavering with pain. “He took so much from you and your family, but you broke my trust.”
My heart stills, forming a deep ache that I’m desperate to dispel. I want to beg for her forgiveness, assure her that I’ve changed, and promise that everything will be different.
But I can’t.
Part of being the better man Emberly needs is respecting her decisions and allowing her to make her own choices. Misery seeps into my bones at the thought of her walking away with my son, but I force down the urge to speak.
Emberly lowers her lashes, and more tears spill down her cheeks. “You didn’t just lie, you fabricated an illusion based on my deepest fantasies. I had everything I ever wanted, only to discover it was all a manipulation. That’s not something I can forgive.”
