Page 78 of The Billionaire I Left Behind

“I know.” He steps closer, his voice dropping, pleading. “I should’ve done a lot of things differently. But I can’t change the past, Emma. All I can do is tell you the truth now.” He swallows.

“I don’t want this house without you. I don’t want anything without you. You’re my home, Emma, and I’ll spend every day proving to you that you were never…” His voice shakes, his eyes shining with something that wrecks me. “Never a mistake.”

I break. A sob slips out before I can stop it.

Because I thought this was all nothing to him. That I had meant nothing. But hearing this, seeing it on his face it destroys me.

I press my hands over my face, trying to breathe, trying to absorb it.

His hands cup my face, gentle, trembling. “Stay,” he whispers. “Please.”

I shatter. I launch myself at him, my arms locking around his neck as I kiss him.

It’s desperate and messy, a collision of pain and love and relief. His hands grip my waist, pulling me closer, like he never wants to let go.

I don’t think he will. I don’t think I will either. We break apart, breathing hard, foreheads pressed together.

Bryan brushes his thumb over my cheek, soft, reverent. “Say it,” he whispers. “If you still feel it, say it.”

My chest clenches. My heart pounds. I close my eyes, exhaling.

“I love you, Bryan. I'm sorry for leaving again, and for not fighting for us. I was scared because I had fallen in love with you and it maybe didn't mean anything to you,”

His breath shudders. “Oh, Emma. That's not true. The past few weeks have been the best of my life. And the past two days have been horrible for me.”

"Same here."

"I need you to promise me one thing."

"Whatever you want."

"I need you to always believe in us. Always fight for our love. I don't want you to ever give it up at a slightest chance.”

"I promise Bryan. I'm sorry and I’m telling you that I'll never give up on us again. I love you."

"I love you more."

And then he’s kissing me again, like he’ll never stop.

And I don't want him to.

Ever.

Epilogue

Bryan

The smell of fresh paint and clean linen fills the air, mingling with the scent of flowers sent by half the town. Voices hum around me, friends, family, people from all over Ocean Bay all here for Emma.

For her dream. I glance at her from across the clinic’s bright, open space. She’s laughing with Stella, Claire, and Pearl near the front desk, her smile blinding.

This clinic. This moment. She built this from nothing but a dream and sheer willpower. And she did it without even realizing how much she’s rebuilt me in the process.

My fingers tighten around the next small velvet box in my pocket, my heart hammering. I’m not a nervous guy. Not in business, not in life. But this, this has my pulse thrumming like a drum.

Bryan’s sister Liz steps up onto the small podium at the front of the room, microphone in hand and smiling wide. “Alright, alright, settle down, everyone!”

The chatter dies down, laughter tapering off. Liz beams, rubbing her big belly. “We’re here for something huge today. And that’s NOT my belly, drawing laughs. As you all know, our favorite vet has fought like crazy to bring this clinic to life.” A chorus of cheers erupts.

---