Just One Hello (Book 2 in the Just Series)

Chapter 39

Ellie

"Ellie. What's wrong?" Ara asked.

"Is my brother home?"

"No. He's at work," she said.

"Good, I need you," I broke off.

"Hey..." She said as she hugged me. "What's wrong? lets get you inside," she said.

We sat down and I told her what happened.

"Oh, sweetie..."

"It hurts. It hurts so much. It feels like everything has been a lie," I said. I haven't been able to stop the tears from falling.

"Look, I'm not saying that you have no right to me upset, but he's right. If he really doesn't love you then he wouldn't have told you the truth. Yes, he should have from the very beginning, but the important thing is that he told you now. He realized that it was wrong and he called off the deal and told you the truth. He chose you. Ellie, I really do believe he loves you."

"I... I just... I don't know what to do. I love him, I do but..."

"Was there a single moment when you felt that he didn't love you?"

I shook my head. "No..."

"Ellie, I can't tell you what to do... You have to decide what you want to do."

She's right.

I looked at Ara. "How did you do it? How did you forgive my brother so quickly?" I asked.

She shrugged. "I love him. It hurt. A lot. I'm not going to lie. I felt like I was dying inside. I thought about leaving, because I didn't think I could do it anymore. But then, the thought of leaving and not being with him and Lia, hurt even more. So I made a decision. I decided to stay. I told myself that I would patiently wait for him until he can tell me he loves me. I told myself that when he came home I will welcome him with open arms."

"But he hurt you. If it were me, I don't think I could have stayed or forgiven him so easily," I said.

She smiled weakly. "He came back to me and that's all that matters. He realized that he made a mistake. Ellie, I understood how he felt at the time. It hurt, but I understood. He came back and asked for my forgiveness and he told me he loved me. And the thing is, I knew he did love me. I've known for a long time. I felt it. He showed me in so many ways. I just needed to hear him say it. He needed to hear him say it. And he did. He finally said the words I longed to hear. I wasn't going to waste time being angry or sad, when I can be happy. I wasn't going to waste time making him grovel and beg, just to make a point. People make mistakes, what's important is that we realize it, and we make amends," she said.

"So, you think I should forgive him?" I asked.

She shook her head. "No. I think you should do what will make you happy."

I nodded and hugged her. "Thank you," I said.

"Just do what feels right to you. Do what will make you happy."

I have a lot to think about. Yes, I am glad that Marco told me the truth before he married me, God knows it would have hurt more if I found out after the wedding.

But right now it just feels like everything has all been a lie.

***

What do I do?

Tears welled up in my eyes anew.

As I was laying down on my bed, I thought about everything that has happened the last few months. I thought about everything that Marco said to me about his past and I can't help but hurt for the young boy who longed to have his father's love.

I can't really blame him completely
for believing that he needed to continue what his father started.

I guess in a way, he wanted to make his father proud and he thought that by finishing what his father started, he would make his father proud.

I shook my head. I'm so torn.

My dad... I'm not even surprised that he did this.

He has been calling me non stop, but I'm not ready to talk to him just yet. Marco has also been calling me.

I don't what to do anymore.

When I think about the last few months, all I can think about is how happy I've been.

He can't be that good of an actor.

"And if you look into my eyes, you'll see my love shining back at you," I remember his words.

I sighed.

"Oh what the hell. You know he loves you!" I told myself.

I knew deep in my heart that he loves me. I felt it. Every time I looked in his eyes, I see his love for me. He showed me in so many ways how much he loves me. And Ara was right. He chose me. He wanted me. He turned his back on the promise he made to his father and chose me...

He loves me and he wants me...

What the hell am I still doing here?

God I'm so stupid.

I climbed out of bed quickly and grabbed my keys.

***

I use my key to get inside Marco's house.

I ran up the stairs, to our bedroom.

I burst through the door and found Marco standing in the balcony.

He turned at the sound of the door bursting open.

He looked at me with surprise.

He walked back inside the room.

"Stop," I said. He stopped on his tracks. "Did you really turn down my father's offer?" I asked.

"Yes. I don't want MI. I only want you," he answered quickly.

I nodded and bit my lip. "Do you really love me?" I asked.

"More than anything in this world," he said.

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips.

"Then what are you still doing just standing there? Come here and kiss me."

The shock on Marco's face was priceless.

He released the breath he has been holding and walked over to me quickly, scooping me up and kissing me senseless.

"I'm so sorry. I love you so much. I'm sorry," he mumbled against my lips.

"I forgive you," I whispered.

"Will you still marry me?"

I smiled. "is that what you really want?"

"More than anything. It was never about MI. Please believe me sweetheart," he said.

I looked into his eyes and saw the truth in them.

"I believe you and yes I will marry you," I said.

"I love you," he said.

He kissed me again and proceeded to show me just how much he loves me.