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His eyes remained steady, full of sincerity, bright like the Eiffel Tower. “I’m sorry that it took this long for me to admit it. Not just to you. But to myself.”
I was stunned into silence because that was the last thing I expected from him.
“I’m sorry that it took the threat of losing you to force it out of me.”
I still didn’t know what to say.
“Please forgive me.”
I looked away.
“Give me another chance.”
“I’m scared…” My eyes remained focused on a painting on the wall.
“And you have every right to be.”
“I can’t just go back to our relationship like nothing happened.”
“I’m not asking you to. I’m asking for another chance. That’s all.”
“You say it like it’s so simple…” When I looked at him again, I felt the tears in my eyes, felt their weight as they shifted to my eyelids and bulged into drops. “You say it like this relationship hasn’t been an uphill battle from day one. In my armor, I fought for you every single day, and you never did a damn thing. You never even wanted me in the first place—”
“But I want you now. More than anything. More than anyone.” His voice turned desperate, fighting for me with everything he had. “I know this is an asshole thing to say, but you’re never going to love anyone the way you love me. I’m not going to love another woman ever. You didn’t sleep with Bartholomew because you’re as committed to me as you ever were.”
My eyes moved to him.
“He told me.”
Bastard.
“I’m sorry, but I see your hand. I see your cards. Making this work with me is the only hand you have to play.”
“No, it’s not—”
“Not if you want to be happy.”
I looked away again, tears dripping down my cheeks.
He kept his distance. “Be happy with me.”
“Be happy until you change your mind? Be happy until you throw me out of the house? Be happy until—”
“I’ll do the husband thing. I’ll do the father thing. I’ll walk away from the business. I’ll do anything to bring you home.”
With my body planted in the opposite direction, I imagined the life he’d just described. A small ceremony with just us and his father and brother. Small diamonds woven into my white gown. All my things in his bedroom. Going to sleep with him beside me. Waking up and enjoying breakfast together on the terrace. Then one little person…and then another little person. A family of four. A family of my own. “Do you want those things?”
“No. But I do with you.”
“Don’t tell me things I want to hear just to—”
“I’m not. Come live with me, and that’s the life we can have. Not tomorrow. But someday.”
My arms were locked so tight they actually hurt my ribs. It was tempting to go back, especially when the reward was a dream come true. “Why did all these terrible things have to happen for you to give me what I wanted?”
“Because I’m an idiot.”
“I still don’t think you understand how much you hurt me. I don’t think you ever will.”
