Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Rosie tilts her head. “Hi, Mom and Dad.” Her voice grows hoarse. “I’m so sorry. Please forgive me for the unbearable pain I’ve caused you. That’s the last thing I wanted.” She looks up and takes a moment, then says, “You have given me such a beautiful life. Please remember all the good times we had together. I know I’m asking the impossible, but don’t let my death destroy you. Open another soup kitchen in my honor.” She tries to smile. “Adopt puppies and pour your love into them, but please continue living.”
Uncle Dario shakes his head while holding Aunt Eden tightly.
“Gianna.” My sister jerks once, then the sobs pour from her. “God, I loved watching you find your happily ever after with Riccardo, and I’m so glad he’ll be there to help you through this. I want you to know you were like a sister to me. Grow old with Riccardo. Have babies and build a beautiful life with him. Live your life to the fullest for me.”
Rosie looks at the screen for a while, then says, “I want to be alone with Enzo.”
Gianna gives my hand a squeeze before she lets go, and I listen as they leave.
“Pause if we’re not alone,” Rosie whispers.
She looks down at something I can’t see, and when she lifts her head again, tears roll down her cheeks. A chuckle bursts from her. “Damn, no matter how many times I’ve tried, I just can’t get past this part without crying my eyes out.”
Slowly, my own tears fall as I stare at the woman I love. I kept my distance to keep her safe, and lost her anyway.
It was all for nothing.
After sucking in a shaky breath, she says, “There was nothing you could do to stop me from dying, Enzo. Don’t blame yourself. Whatever happened to make me push that button, it’s not on you. Shit just went epically wrong.”
Rosie brushes the tears from her cheeks, then sucks in a deep breath. As I stare into her eyes, she lets all her love for me show.
“You are such an incredible man. I know there were times my crush for you was annoying, but thank you for never letting me feel bad about it.”
“You never annoyed me, bella mia,” I whisper.
Smiling, she shakes her head. “Thank you for letting me stare at you as much as I wanted and never getting upset with me.” A chuckle bubbles over her lips. “I mean, look at you. Hot, badass, in touch with your emotions. You’re so ridiculously beautiful, every other man pales in comparison to you.” Lifting her eyebrows, she grins. “Oooh boy, I better be dead, or I’m going to struggle looking you in the eye after spilling my guts to you.”
Somehow, she makes a smile tug at the corner of my mouth.
“I know you care about me, Enzo, and that was enough for me. You showed me in so many ways that I was important to you, and I’m thankful for every second you chose to spend with me.”
“But I didn’t tell you I love you,” I groan.
Regret soaks like a thick sludge into the destruction already sown in my chest.
“I want you to know there has never been anyone else.” She widens her eyes. “I even tried the one time, and…” She shakes her head. “Nah, I think I’ll keep that a secret, and when we meet in the afterlife I’ll tell you.” Her chuckle fills the air again. “I lived my life loving only you, and I don’t regret it one bit. If I got a chance to do it all over, I’d pick you again. I love the way you make my heart skip a beat. A single look from you makes my stomach flutter.” Her expression turns soft. “I kept another secret from you, and now is as good a time as any to tell you.” She shrugs while giving me a playful grin. “I’m not a slob. I made a mess so you would come and clean everything. I soaked it up whenever you made a fuss about me.”
“I knew, Rosie.” The words are nothing more than a whisper. “It wasn’t a secret.”
“I want you to find someone who you can love the way I’ve loved you.”
I shake my head, my jaw clenching as I groan, “Never, Rosie. It will always be you.”
“Stop being stubborn, and for the love of all that’s holy, stop beating yourself up for things that are out of your control.” She leans a little forward and narrows her eyes. “Or I swear to God, I will find a way to haunt you.”
“Please do.” I grip my shirt right over my heart and can’t keep a painful whimper from escaping. “Christ, Rosie. How do I live without you if you’re really gone?”
What if she’s dead?
What if…