Page 151 of The Stolen Moments Trilogy

I’m not asking for your forgiveness, because I wouldn’t dare, but I do want to offer you my sincere apology. I’ve always loved you like you were my own, and I still do. Not a day has gone by that I didn’t think of you. I always hoped you were doing well, and every time your dad told me about you, I’d be so proud of you. I want you to know that. I want you to know that I still love you the way I always have, and it won’t make things better, but I live with deep regret over the way I’ve treated you.”

Mom turns to me, her eyes filled with sorrow. “And you too, Carter. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for asking so much of you. For asking you to sacrifice your relationship with Emilia, when I should have stood with you, when I should have defended both you and Emilia. I hope you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me someday.”

I nod at Mom, but her eyes are on Emilia. Emilia is glancing out the window, her entire body trembling. I shake my head at Mom subtly, and she leaves quietly. A tear drops down Emilia’s cheek as soon as Mom closes the door behind her, and I wrap my arms around her.

Emilia sniffs and turns in my arm, clutching me tightly as she bursts into tears. I tighten my grip on her and stroke her hair, my own heart breaking. I can’t take it when she cries. Every tear she sheds leaves a mark on my soul.

“I… I’m sorry,” she cries, and I cup her head gently. Emilia turns her face so she’s hiding in my neck, her lips grazing my skin. “I don’t want to cry,” she whispers through her tears, and I clutch her tightly.

“I know, Minx. It’s okay. It’s just me.” I kiss her hair gently and try to keep my heart from breaking. I inhale deeply before speaking. “I actually never even realized I wanted an apology from my Mom, you know? I’ve never consciously blamed her for what happened, but it does feel like a huge weight off my shoulders,” I whisper.

Emilia nods and sniffs. “Me too. I just felt… I felt so betrayed. I loved her so much.”

I lift her onto my lap and wrap my arms around her fully, wrapping her in my arms. Emilia rests her head on my shoulder, endless tears still streaming down her face.

“Just let it all out, Minx. It’s years overdue, just like Mom’s apology. It was just easier to forget about all the ways my family and I wronged you — easier to pretend it never happened. I guess it was easier to live with the guilt that way.”

Emilia pulls back to look at me. She shakes her head and looks into my eyes. “Not you, Carter. Never you. You never wronged me.”

I drop my forehead to hers and close my eyes. “I did. I should’ve chased after you. I should’ve chosen you over everyone else, especially when it was so clear that you never did anything wrong. I should’ve stood by you.”

Emilia cups my cheek and I bury my hand in her hair. “No, Carter. You did the right thing. And it’s not like I actually gave you a choice at all. I left to the one place I knew you couldn’t follow without giving up on your scholarship, your education, and the company you were building. I needed a clean break. It’s not your fault.”

I look into the sky-blue eyes that I’ve loved for as long as I can remember and shake my head. “I wish I’d followed you as soon as I was sure that Kate would be fine. I thought letting you go was the right thing to do. I thought I couldn’t chain you to me, knowing how much resentment there was between my family and you. Some days I even convinced myself that I was over you, you know? But fuck, Emilia, you’re back now, and I…”

I shake my head and look away, my heart shattering. Emilia buries her hand in my hair and turns my head back towards her. “You what?”

“I look at you, and I wish you were still mine. I’ve never regretted anything as much as letting you go. You will probably always be the love of my life, but I’m glad that I don’t seem to be yours. I just want you to be happy, Emilia. I’m glad you are.”

She smiles tightly and pushes away from me. She turns her back to me and wipes her tears away, and I regret my words instantly. It’s not fair of me to tell her this, and I don’t want to make her uncomfortable around me. I shouldn’t have said anything, but as always when it comes to her, I couldn’t help myself.

“Come on,” she says, smiling the fakest smile I’ve yet seen her attempt. “Let’s go down. Dad was so excited to be here today, let’s not ruin it, okay? I’ll try my best too.”

I nod and follow her out the door, but all I want to do is take her home, away from anything that might hurt her.

Chapter 27

Emilia

I sip my coffee, unable to calm my nerves. I’m supposed to pick Sam up today, and rather than being excited, I find myself being anxious.

I jump when Carter walks into the kitchen and I check my watch, surprised. He should’ve already been at work by now. I’ve done my best to avoid Carter ever since he told me that he regrets letting me go. I’ve been battling the guilt I feel, because in that moment, all I could see was Carter. I wasn’t even remotely thinking of Sam. Being here has been confusing for me, and I hate it.

“You’re done avoiding me,” he tells me, and I look up at him in surprise, a small smile on my face. He’s so cocky these days. His entire vibe is different.

“Who said I was avoiding you?”

He crosses his arms over each other, the fabric of his shirt stretching along his muscles. I hate how good he looks in a suit.

“Weren’t you? We’ve had coffee together almost every morning this last month, but you were suddenly nowhere to be found all of last week. Forget what I said, Emilia. It was just being in my old bedroom with you that caused me to overshare. You don’t need to act so uncomfortable around me.”

I bite down on my lip and look away. If only I was actually uncomfortable. That’s how I should be feeling, but it’s not. I’m flustered and excited to know that he still has some lingering feelings for me, and that just isn’t right.

“I’m picking Sam up today,” I murmur, my heart racing.

Carter locks his jaw and looks away, his hands balling into fists. “I see. I’ll get Graham to drive you.”

I shake my head and hide my trembling hands. “I can drive. I prefer to go by myself.”

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