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“I spoke with my father,” he said humbly. “And you were right. Everything you said. You were right.”
Her heart was in her throat as she looked up at him.
“I know what love means now,” he whispered. Then, to her shock, he fell to his knees on the stage in front of her. There was a gasp across the club.
Cristiano looked up at her. His eyes were vulnerable and raw. For the first time, the darkness was gone. For the first time, she truly saw his soul.
“Let me try to win back your heart. Let me show you I can be the man I was always meant to be.” He took her hand in both of his. “I need you, Hallie,” he whispered. “I love you.”
Reaching down, she put her hand to his rough cheek in amazement. “You love me?”
He nodded, blinking back tears. “Tell me I’m not too late.” His voice broke. “Tell me I still have the chance to be the man you deserve.”
She pulled him to his feet. “The chance? No. You don’t have a chance to win back my love.” Hallie smiled at him through her tears. “Because I never stopped loving you, Cristiano.”
His handsome face filled with joy. Cupping her face in both his hands, he kissed her, long and hard. Hallie felt the flame spark between them, as always.
But something was different. Something was new. They knew each other now, really and truly. The fire burned bright and clear between them, in a blaze she knew would last forever.
Ignoring the applause and hoots from the audience, Cristiano looked down at her. “And you were right about something else.”
“What?”
He gave her an impish grin. “The house you loved on Bank Street. The one you told me about. It does have a garden. And it was for sale, just like you said. I told my broker to put in an offer.”
“What!”
“If you still want it,” he amended. He searched her gaze. “Do you, cara?”
“Oh, Cristiano.” Happy tears filled Hallie’s eyes at the thought of having the home she’d dreamed of for all her life. “Do you really mean it? We can stay?”
“Forever, if you want.” He cupped her cheek. “Because you’re not just my wife. You’re my love song,” he whispered. “My happiness, my heartbreak and joy. You’re my everything.”
Looking down at her hand wrapped in his larger one, Hallie felt her heart in her throat.
“And you’re mine.” She looked up at him, blinking back tears. “From the moment you said you loved me, all my childhood dreams came true. We can live in New York, or anywhere in the world. Because now I know, for the rest of our lives,” she breathed, her eyes shining with joy, “wherever we live, we’re home.”
* * * * *
