Page 112 of A Bossy Proposal

Catherine’s eyes fill with tears. “Yes, sweetheart. I remember.”

West continues, his words slightly slurred. “And. A church. Big church. I want all her family there. Let her have anything. She needs that.”

My heart swells. Even in his drugged state, he’s thinking of me, of what I might need. He remembered my dream for a big church wedding when I never believed it would ever happen.

Catherine takes my free hand, squeezing it gently. “We’ll make it happen, dear. Whatever you both want. I’m just so grateful he’s alive.”

“Oh, a church wedding,” Arabella says, turning to me. Her eyes pleading. “Please! Let me be your bridesmaid.”

“How about my maid of honor?”

Arabella squeals.

There’s a smile on West’s face as he drifts off to sleep.

For hours, I sit by West’s bed, holding his hand while he sleeps peacefully. The steady beep of his heart monitor has become a comforting rhythm now that his family has left.

My phone buzzes.

Luca.

I swallow as I hit the answer button.

“He is ready to talk to you,” he says without preamble. “Are you ready?”

I close my eyes, my stomach churning. “I...I don’t know.”

“You don’t have to come here. You don't have to face him,Amelia. We can handle it.”

Part of me wants to see Vincenzo’s face one last time. To ask him everything I need to know.

Why did he kill my parents?

Why did he want to control my life?

And why couldn’t he just let me be happy?

“I need to think about it,” I whisper.

“Take your time. But not too long.”

I end the call and notice Sam standing in the doorway, coffees in his hands. His expression tells me he heard everything.

He walks over, setting a coffee beside me. “You know what my therapist once told me?” His fingers absently rub his wrist. “Sometimes we need to face what hurt us, to make sure it can never hurt us again.”

I study his face, sensing there’s more to his words than he’s letting on. But his eyes hold shadows he’s not ready to share.

“Thank you, Sam.”

I pick up my phone and text Luca.

I want to see him.

His response is immediate.

Romeo and Marco will pick you up. Only them.

“I’ll stay with him.” Sam takes a seat closer to West.

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