Page 101 of Broken

“I do.”

“No one ever believes me?—”

“I’m not ‘no one.’”

I release a shaky breath. Those are words I’vethoughtbut he’s said them. Out loud.

“I think it’s a sign,” I blurt out.

“Not everything is a sign,” he tells me gently, like he’s back to thinking I’m crazy.

“This is. Two deaths, two precursors to those deaths with that phrasing in my presence, and then you?” I shudder. “It’s meant to be.”

“God doesn’t…” He hesitates but finishes off with: “…send signs like that.”

“He didn’t. But maybe he knows what’s in your heart and mine. Maybe this is his way of absolving you.”

Savio winces. “Hardly?—”

“You’d have killed without thought before. Now it’s sanctioned.” My tone is resolute, as is my resolve. Each word pounds through me, forcing me to believe more than I did at the start.

Those words were the beginning of my journey.

They were the catalyst that led me to this point.

To him.

And now, this is the next phase of our lives.

He’s already said he doesn’t want to be a priest anymore. But for this to happen today? For it all to go down as it has? I know in my heart this is right.

Though his eyes are loaded with doubt, I reach up on tiptoe and press my mouth to his. As I do, I breathe in this moment. Breathe him in.Us.

The doctors can take a lot away from me, but they can’t takethis.

Thirteen years boil down to four words:

“I love you, Savio.”

And I’ve never meant anything more in my life.

CHAPTER 29

Andrea

Unsurprisingly, he tenses beneath my kiss. “You can’t.”

What Ican’t…is be offended.

I’ve exploded into his life, shaking its foundations at its core. This is a lot. But that’s me.I’ma lot.

I don’t argue with him: “I’ve needed you for so long, and now you’re here.” I let my arms slip around his neck. “I’ll be everything you need.”

Partner -check.

Wife -check.

Accomplice -check.

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