Luke steps closer to me and gently places his hands on my shoulders. His eyes soften as he stares down at me. My heart thuds as I look into his tender hazel eyes. “Cassie,” he whispers. His voice is laced with guilt. “I’m sorry for what I said to you after Jamie’s car ride.”
I stare at him, only to find sadness crossing his expression. I remember how Luke told me that I was such a weakling for not being aware of how people were using me for their advantage.
“I shouldn’t have said such things to you,” Luke says. “Anger had taken over me. I should have apologized to you right away. I’m sorry for making you remember all of those things from the past.”
The way Luke speaks to me shows how much he regrets those words. Somehow, I feel like he’s trying to assure me that he wouldn’t hurt me like those people did, as though he’s someone I can trust. I might not know him that well, but his apology makes me sigh in relief.
I give him a playful look, shaking my head in disbelief. "You really know how to make up for everything, don't you?"
Luke just laughs in response. Aiden arrives before me, holding a canvas of his painting. The size isn't that big, but it definitely is for a kid like him.
My eyes widen in disbelief as I stare at his painting. It might not look like a painting done by a professional artist like his father, Victor, but it's beyond beautiful.
Aiden has painted a woman with long wavy chestnut hair playing the piano with a smile on her face. It's me. And what takes my breath away even more is the writing on the painting.
It says,The most beautiful woman in the world.
Sudden tears form in my eyes, and I choke. I bend down to the ground, still staring at the painting. Words can't express how I'm feeling right now.
I feel like my heart is about to burst out of my chest.
His words sip right into my soul. I feel like nothing else matters in this world and that only Aiden's words matter.
How could his words bring such warmth to my heart? I feel like all of the other people's opinions about me, all those haters and all the cruel things that Morgan has said to me vanish into thin air just because of Aiden's words on this painting.
Before I know it, a tear rolls down my cheek, followed by another, and another. Why won't my tears stop flowing after Aiden said to me that I'm the most beautiful woman in the world? I've heard those words before from people.
I knew that I had a strong connection with Aiden the moment we met for the first time, but what is this feeling?
Why does it feel like I love him so much to the point that it hurts?
"Cassie, what's wrong?" Aiden looks at me with horror in his eyes. "Why are you crying? Are you not feeling well? Are you sick again?" His voice is shaking due to his worry.
I abruptly shake my head, signaling that it isn't like that. "It's tears of joy. I'm just so happy, Aiden," I whisper. "Thank you. I love it so much. This is the best present I've ever got."
Relief crosses Aiden's expression, and his grin is back again. "I'm glad that you love it and that you're happy. I'm so happy too. I'm happy that you're here with us."
I smile, cupping Aiden's cheek. When I look up at Luke, I find that he has turned the other way, his back facing us, his shoulders shaking.
"Luke?" I ask.
"I gotta go get my present," he says, his voice hoarse. With that said, he walks back into the house.
I focus my attention back on Aiden, who has tears of joy too atthe corner of his eyes, still smiling at me. He seems to cherish our togetherness as a family more than anything.
More tears roll down my face as the fear of losing Aiden builds up in my heart. I've agreed to the one-year contract of this marriage. What will happen after that? Would Aiden hate me if he knew about all of this?
The thought of that makes me feel like my world is suddenly crumbling, so I snap it out of my head.
No, I don't have to think about that now, do I? I can't even imagine such a thing.
Luke comes back, and I stand up, wiping my tears. He approaches me, a small box in his hand. I wonder what's inside it. It seems like a jewelry box.
But Luke has given me two rings already: the engagement ring and our wedding ring.
"This is from me." He opens the box, and I stare in amazement at the gift.
There inside the box sits a diamond necklace in the form of a snowflake. It's so pretty, glittering in front of my eyes.
