Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 118965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
“I realized something when I thought I wasn’t going to make it. I realized life is too short to throw a chance at happiness away. I realized that making myself miserable is not what my dad would’ve wanted for me. You told me I never chose you, and I thought you were right. But we were both wrong. I chose you the moment I met you. Things changed after you stole my dad’s book. When you forced my hand and arm-wrestled me into marriage, you took away my choice. But when I found out that I was pregnant, I knew I wanted to choose you again.” I swallow down the emotions that clog up my throat. “I choose you now, Angelo Russo, exactly for who you are. This time, I’m under no illusions. I know the man I married. I’m walking into this with my eyes wide open.”
He’s quiet, the stunning black of his eyes gleaming with turbulent emotions. “I was wrong. I shouldn’t have left you alone in that house. I allowed my grief to ruin my chances at a peaceful life with you. I allowed my family to exploit my hatred, and despite what I just said, I can never make that up to you.” He works his jaw. “All I want is for you to be happy. I wish it more than anything in the world. I’ll do whatever it takes, cara.” Lifting my hand to his lips, he kisses my fingertips. “Tell me how to fix this.”
“You can start by not giving the men who attacked me what they want.” My tone is hard. “Don’t let them use me to get to you. They’re nothing to me. I don’t break this easily. If this is a war, then finish it. And make damn sure you win.”
“Cara.” He brushes my fingers over his lips. “I don’t deserve you.”
“That’s true, but you’re going to work on that.”
He lowers his head and presses my hand against his forehead. “I don’t know what I would’ve done.”
“I’m here. So are you. We’re alive. That’s what matters.”
He lifts his gaze to mine. “What happened, it’s tearing me apart.”
“Me too, but I’m not ready to talk about that.”
“You don’t have to,” he says, his eyes bright with a sincere light. “When you do, I’ll be here to listen.”
“Let’s not waste any more time.”
Determination sets in his beautiful features. “I’m not going to waste a second I have with you.”
“In that case, ask the doctor when you can take me home.”
His expression darkens. A moment passes before he asks, “Where is home, cara?”
I don’t hesitate. “Wherever you are.”
Chapter
Thirty
Sabella
* * *
The doctor only signs my discharge the next day. I’m impatient to get home, to start again. To live.
Angelo carefully helps me into an SUV with plenty of leg room. Considerately, he didn’t take his sports car. I would’ve had to fold my body double to get in. I don’t ask where we’re going. It doesn’t matter. Whether it’s the old or the new house, I know he’ll stay with me. We’ll be together—him, the children, Heidi, and me. It’s all or nothing now. I’ll never settle for less again.
I’m not surprised when he pulls up at the old house.
He switches off the engine but doesn’t get out from the car. “I hope this is all right.”
“What?”
“The house. I know I made bad memories for you here. But I reckoned you’d rather be here than having to stomach the new house.” He drags a hand over his head. “Fuck. I made bad memories for you everywhere.”
I lay a hand on his arm. “I don’t need you to make memories for me. I can make my own.”
“With me in them?” he asks with a hint of vulnerability.
I smile. “You’ll definitely have a place in my memories.”
“Happy ones?”
“If it depends on me, yes, but it takes two to tango.”
Possession flashes in his eyes as he cups my knee. “I’m going to work hard on that goal.”
The kids come charging from the house with Heidi in tow.
“Sabella,” Sophie exclaims.
Smiling wider, I open my door.
“Careful,” Angelo says, hurrying to get out of the car. “Sabella is still mending.” He makes his way to my side with long strides. “It’s better not to hug her yet.” He grabs Étienne who’s already climbed onto the footstep of my door. “Definitely don’t jump into her arms.”
“We made you presents,” Sophie says, jumping up and down.
“You did?”
Angelo puts one arm around my shoulders and the other underneath my knees before lifting me from the car as if I’m made of paper-thin glass.
“I can walk,” I say.
He smiles at me. “I know, but I like to take care of you.”
Heidi pushes the front door open wider to let us through. “Welcome home, Mrs. Russo.”
“We’re not going back to addressing each other formally, are we?” I ask with good humor.