Page 153 of When Hearts Collide

He lets out a shuddering exhale, his penetrating eyes full of regret, heartache…and love.

“That’s all I have to say.” He stands up and walks off the stage.

“Mr. Anderson!” Reporters holler at him as the room descends into chaos. “Are you talking about Millie Callahan? Is she your little lark?”

He pauses at the foot of the stage and faces the camera again. “I’ll be waiting for you,” he mouths, ignoring their questions, and disappears into a back corridor.

He is a private person and I know this is a way for him to declare his love to me publicly while respecting my privacy.

He hasn’t given up on us. He’s telling me he chooses me and is giving me a choice this time. He’s putting everything on the line…for me.

Tears spring into my eyes as I hand the phone back to Belle.

“What is this?” I whisper.

“Don’t kill us, okay? Trust me, it’ll all make sense later.” Belle gives me a hug and a wink before backing away and the trio head back in the direction we came from.

“Wait! Where are you guys going?” I move to follow them, but Grace raises her hands to stop me.

“Ah crap! I forgot this.” She rushes forward and hands me a small envelope. “Stay here and read it! Trust me! Thank us later!” With a squeal and a giggle, she spins around and hurries after the others, quickly disappearing from view.

My mind is a swirl of emotions, filled with images of him and his words to the reporters. I’m in a daze as I make my way to the graveled path up the steps leading to the entrance.

A fresh breeze blows through the garden. My fingers tremble as I tear open the envelope and take out the letter inside.

Dearest Millie,

It seems fitting the first real letter I write in my life is to the one woman I love with every beat of my heart. To be honest, I don’t know how to begin—I’ve never written a love letter before and the small captions on social media don’t quite count. But I’ve been told it’s best to write your truth.

Life without you is not a life worth living. These past few months, without you by my side, my soul has been bereft, my world has lost its shine, and my freedom has lost its enticement.

I realize what a coward I’ve been in the past, disguising my fears as a cloak of responsibilities when deep down, perhaps, I’m still the little boy who has never moved beyond loss, the person who has experienced death and decided never to love again. But having met you and seeing how you live your life, taking one hard step at a time, carving out your future even when the odds are stacked against you, I understand one thing.

You are the hunter, the fighter. Your spirit will allow you to conquer and soar no matter where life takes you. You are an inspiration. You make me want to become a better man. You make my freedom have meaning.

I hope you’ll find it in your heart to give me another chance to show you being with you is not an impulsive decision. It’s my one craving, my true obsession.

I hope you’ll give me all your tomorrows, starting with today. I hope you’ll step into the sunlight with me.

Love, Ryland

My hand flies to my mouth as I re-read every passionate word, every fervent promise. His public declaration at the press conference echoes in my ears.

The thumping in my chest intensifies, and I look up.

I see him.

I’m rooted to the ground as I see the tall, powerful man stepping out of the building and walking toward me with determination on his handsome face. My heart pounds rapidly in my chest, frantic and ecstatic to see its other half nearby. His pendant feels heavy around my neck, and every cell of my body comes to life.

He still steals my breath and robs me of speech.

My fingers automatically clutch the jeweled key in my hand, and I blink several times, wondering if he’s a hallucination. But he’s still there, striding toward me in his perfectly tailored navy suit, crisp white shirt opened at the collar. His dark hair is swept up and perfectly tousled.

Ryland’s dark gray eyes are pinned on me, the penetrating intensity reminding me of the first day I met him when he berated me in front of class for being late.

I knew it then and I know it now. This man has left an indelible print on my heart and my life will never be the same after him.

My lips part as my breathing quickens, and he quickly makes his way down the steps and reaches me in a matter of seconds.

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