Page 121 of Love Me Not

“Juliette, I am so, so sor?—”

“I love you,” I said, cutting her off.“I'm the one who’s sorry for not saying it sooner.I loved you then, and I love you now.I was just too afraid to say it.I can’t believe it took me almost dying… Lux, I regret not saying it sooner?—”

She was up and pulling me into her arms in seconds.

I sank into her, a feeling of calm washing over me.

This is it.This is all that matters.It’s as simple as this.

“I love you too,” she said and hugged me tight before suddenly pulling away.“Shit, does that hurt?Am I hurting you?—”

“You’re not, but even if you were, I’d be fine with that.”

We stayed like that for a couple of minutes before she let go and sat back down, but she still reached for my hand.

“How did you find me?”I asked.

She flinched, the memory probably hitting her hard.

“I was following my mother,” she said, and I frowned.“It’s not like that.Ever since we found out what she did, Laura advised me to get someone to do that, but my thoughts were plaguing me, so I asked Gina to keep an eye on Bella and went myself too.I wasn’t going inside the bar—in fact, I was about to leave when she came out with…you.”

“So you saw everything… That must've been hard.”

“Juliette… You were the one who was hit over the head and thrown off a bridge.How are you worried aboutme?”she replied, her eyes going watery again.“I’m so?—"

I cupped her face.

“Yeah, it hurt like a bitch,” I said with a smile.“But listen to me.None of it is your fault.Yousaved me.I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you.”

She moved to kiss my lips, just lightly, touching my cheek like she couldn’t believe I was there.

“Can you promise me something, though?”I asked.

“Anything.”

“Can you please change your clothes?I really don't want to continue looking at my blood.”

She looked down at herself before a smile pulled her lips.

“Anything for you, Angel.But can I do that when I’m sure you’re not just going to disappear on me somehow?”

“You can.But I’m not going anywhere.”

We sat there in silence for a moment, hands touching, just enjoying each other's company, but it wasn't long before there was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” I said, and as soon as I did, the door burst open, and a little blur was running to me.

Bella climbed up on the bed before Lux had the chance to warn her about it, her panic and tear-stained face filling my vision.I opened my arms for her and let her climb into them.She buried her face in my chest, still sniffling.

“It's okay, sweetheart.I'm okay.”

I brushed her hair with my fingers as she cried.It hurt a little bit with the IVs pulling on my arm, but I didn't care.She came first.I nodded at Lux so she knew it was okay.

A breathless Gina leaned against the doorframe.

“I'm so sorry,” she said, panting.“I tried to stop her, but she heard some of the nurses saying you were awake.”

I looked at Lux, who gave me a small smile.

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