Page 176 of Scars of Fate

“No.”

A tear slipped down my cheek.

“But maybe this time we stay long enough to fix it.”

Hope appeared in his eyes.

Fragile.

Careful.

I lifted one trembling hand to his face.

“You said you love me.”

“Yes.”

“I never stopped loving you either.”

Lucas closed his eyes.

For one heartbeat, he didn’t move.

Then his arms were around me.

He pulled me tightly against his chest.

I buried my face against his neck.

His body shook.

So did mine.

Six years of regret crashed between us.

Missed birthdays.

Empty holidays.

Nights spent reaching across beds that no longer belonged to us.

All because two people who loved each other had been too afraid to say the right words.

Lucas’s mouth brushed my temple.

“Say it again.”

“I love you.”

His arms tightened.

“Again.”

“I love you, Lucas.”

A broken sound escaped him.

Half laugh.