Just Tell Me You Love Me (Book 1 in the Just Series) *under editing*

Chapter 42

Massimo

It was late afternoon when I arrived back in LA. I wanted to rush home to Arabella, but I knew I had to do something first before I could come home to her.

I kneeled and brushed away the leaves that has fallen on top of Cassie's grave.

Cassandra Marie Jensen Anastasi. Beloved Daughter, Wife, and Mother.

"I learned how to love because of you. I will always cherish my time with you, and I will never ever forget you. I will always have a part of you through Lia. I will always love you. But I'm in love with Arabella. I don't want to lose her, so I'm going to do what I should have done a long time ago. I'm letting you go. I'm letting go of my guilt. I want to live again," I said.

I looked up into the sky. Feeling so much lighter.

"Goodbye, inamorata," I said.

I stood back up. I turned around and left the past behind me. I will always cherish our memories together, but it's time for me to face my future with my wife.

I will always love Cassie, just not the way I loved her when she was still alive.

My heart belongs to someone else now.

Arabella owns my mind, my whole heart, body, and soul. She has all of me, as I have all of her.

I felt an overwhelming relief to realize that I no longer feel the guilt of admitting the truth to myself. In fact I feel liberated.

I felt the joy wash through me, as I took the step towards my future.

Towards my wife. The woman I love.

Her voice filled my ears, as I recall her words to me at the hospital.

"Just listen to my voice. Just follow my voice and come back to me, please Massimo. I love you so much. I need you..."

I'm coming home sweetheart.

***

I opened the door to Lia's room and found her sleeping soundly.

I walk to the next bedroom. Arabella's old bedroom, thinking I might find her there. Knowing that after what happened between us, I was quite sure, I wouldn't find her in our bedroom.

I opened the door, and find the room empty.

Did she leave?

No. I know she didn't. I called and Evelyn told me she was here. Besides she wouldn't leave Lia.

Hope build inside me.

Our bedroom. She must be there.

I walk into our bedroom and find the bed empty and untouched.

No sign of her.

Panic came over me.

Oh god. Did she leave me?

I can't lose her.

My heart was pounding. I found it hard to breathe.

I walk into our closet to check if her clothes are still there.

And it was.

Well where the hell is she?

The garden...

I quickly make my way downstairs to the garden.

I step outside, and there she was. Standing there, her back facing me.

She was looking up at the sky.

Then I noticed her stiffen. I know she felt me even before she turned around and saw me.

I slowly make my way towards her.

She slowly turned around to face me.

She looked sad.

I never want to see that look on her face ever again. I never want to see pain in her beautiful eyes.

I intend to make her deliriously happy from now on.

She looked at me for a second before she smiled at me weakly.

I was not expecting that at all. This is a good sign right? That means she is not angry at me.

"You're back," she whispered, as I stood right in front of her.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded. "I'm back," I said.

She smiled weakly. "I'm glad you're home safe."

"You didn't leave"

She shook her head.

I grabbed her hand, and squeezed it gently. "I hurt you terribly. I hope you can forgive me. I hope you can forgive me because I can't live without you. I love you with all my heart sweetheart," my voice cracked.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

"You have all of me. You own my mind, my heart, body, and soul. I'm sorry for being so blind for so long. I'm sorry for not saying the words. But I fell in love with you, the first time I heard you talk to my daughter outside of my office. You made her laugh. The more I got to know you, and the more I spend time with you, the deeper I fell in love with you. It tore me up. The guilt ate me up. I felt so guilty for loving you more than I ever loved Cassie," I admitted.

She wiped her tears away she reached her hand up to my face.

"Oh Massimo, I didn't know you felt that way."

"I did and that's why I tried to convince myself that I didn't love you. It was wrong of me. Please forgive me for hurting you. Please give me a second chance," I begged.

"I forgive you. I love you so much. I didn't leave because I can't live without you. I can't live without Lia."

I smiled and hugged her to me. I breathe a sigh of relief.

"God, I was so scared. I was scared that you wouldn't forgive me for what I had done," I admitted.

"I understand how you felt Massimo. It hurt, but I understood."

I pulled away and held her face in my hands. I looked at her with awe. "You're incredible," I said, as I leaned down to kiss her. So pure, kind, and forgiving.

She gave me a teary laugh.

"I was prepared to grovel and beg for your forgiveness."

She shook her head. "No. No grovelling or begging," she said adamantly. "You will never have to grovel or beg me for anything. I love you. Love should never ever be about grovelling or begging. Love should not be toyed with. It is a gift that should be treasured and respected."

I smiled at her. Words can't explain how special she is. I can't believe I almost lost her.

"What have I done to deserve you? I love you so much, cara. I will tell you I love you everyday. I will never let another day pass without saying those words to you. I will never take you and your love for granted ever again. I will never let a day go by that you doubt or question whether I love you or not. You will never have to settle for less. Ever again. I swear to you sweetheart. I will spend the rest of my life loving you," I vowed.

She smiled at me. I bent down and kissed her tears away.

"You have no idea, how happy you have made me," she said.

I chuckled. "Not as happy as I am."

She laughed. "Say it again."

"I love you."

"Again."

"I love you."

"And I love..." I cut her off with a kiss.