Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
L iam
Romeo and Skye are glaring at me, the hostility in their eyes radiating so strongly that I feel quite uncomfortable. I know why they are upset, and I’m glad that Elisabetta has such amazing friends and family, yet I want them to understand.
“You can leave, you know,” Romeo snarls at me. “Elisabetta is over you and your lies, Mr. Not Prince Charming.”
“I know that you’re her brother and protecting her, but?—”
“Well, the joke is on you. I’m not her brother. Her father never actually got divorced from her mother, so my mom was just the mistress.” He crosses his arms. “Which means I can legally marry her and…” His voice trails off, and he pretends to puke. “I can’t even joke about that...she’s still my sister.”
I watch as he exchanges a glance with Skye, and I wonder if I should just take their advice and leave. They’ve both been in the villa for two weeks now, with Elisabetta and myself, and every single day, they tell me to leave while Elisabetta ignores me. Yet I’m resigned to stay until she at least has a conversation with me.
I want to see how she is doing. Hear firsthand about her meetings with her mother, whom she visits every other day—sometimes with her father and sometimes without. I know it has to be an emotional time for her, and I want to provide my support, but she doesn’t want to talk to me. She won’t even make eye contact with me, and it is killing me inside.
“He doesn’t mean to be rude.” Skye makes a face. “We just don’t understand why you’re still here when Elisabetta has made it quite clear that she has no interest in what you have to say.”
“Have you ever loved someone so much that you want to be there for them, even if they don’t want you there?” I lean back in the chair and cross my legs. “I know neither of you may understand this, but I know Elisabetta is hurting. I know this is a lot for her. I know how badly she wanted a relationship with her mother. Even though she smiles and laughs at breakfast, I can see those tiny little moments where her smile turns to one of sadness or regret, where she looks lost, heartbroken, and unsure. I’ve never had a loved one, or even friends that I know of, have mental health hurdles in their life, and I don’t have any medical or spiritual answers, but I want to be a support to her. A shoulder she can lean on or cry on. A pillar of strength as she comes to terms with a loss she has been dealing with her entire life. I know that I can’t fill any holes, but I can be there to help bathe the cut. I know that not telling her as soon as I knew wasn’t right. And that was maybe one of the deepest cuts, but I believe in her, I believe in me, and I believe in us. And I truly believe that true love finds a way. It will find a way.” I stare into both of their eyes with sincerity. “I love her. I need her. I want her. I will wait for her. Forever, if need be.”
“Oh, stop!” Romeo exclaims, and then he does something that surprises me. He rushes over to me and gives me a hug. “You love her, you sly old dog.”
“I do.” I look at him in surprise. “I’ve been saying?—”
“Men say they love women all the time to get some pussy...but this, this I can feel in my heart. Fuck it!” He looks back at Skye. “You know he loves her, right?”
She nods, and I can see tears in her eyes as she gets up and heads over to me, as well. “You’re an idiot, Liam Gallagher. A first-class idiot.” She sighs as she rubs my shoulder. “Thankfully for you, I’m in love with a man who’s a first-class idiot and who made me question my sanity for falling in love with him.” Her blue eyes survey me in a kind and loving way, and I can see why Kingston is so desperately in love with her.
“So what do we do now?” Romeo sighs as he looks at Skye. “She’s heartbroken at what he’s done.”
“I don’t know.” Skye makes a face and sits next to me. “This is kinda above my pay grade. He omitted something huge. People just don’t get over that easily.”
“Especially Elisabetta.” Romeo nods in agreement. “She’s loving and kind, but she’s always been guarded. She’s always protected her heart.” He gives me a look. “You’re very lucky that she fell for you.”
“I suppose it was my charm, good looks, and money,” I joke, and they both just stare at me. “Too soon?”
“Nah.” Romeo grins at me. “I like a man with a sense of humor.” He looks me up and down and licks his lips. “I’m single, by the way.”
“Romeo.” Skye hits him in the shoulder. “Really?”
“Just seeing if he’ll take the bait.” He laughs. “Plus, he’s hunky. I love me a blue-eyed boy with a British accent.”
“While I’m flattered, but I love your sister.”
“Straight boy, even if you didn’t, you wouldn’t be giving me the time of day.” He shakes his head. “Though if you ever want to take a walk on the?—”
“Romeo!” Skye chides him again. “We need to focus. How do we get Elisabetta to at least talk to him?”
“Like I said, I’m willing to wait for?—”
“Well, we’re not.” Romeo looks at his watch. “I have a catwalk to walk in Paris in three days. I need to fly out within forty-eight hours, so we need a plan.”
“So you’re both willing to help me?”
“I suppose we must.” Skye nods. “Kingston misses me, and I need to get back to New York soon. Plus, I would love for Elisabetta to have some peace and support...” She looks at me. “She loves you, and as someone who knows what it is to have a partner who loves me deeply and completely, I think she needs that.”
“I don’t know how I got on this rollercoaster ride, but I just want to ride off into the sunset with my darling.” I groan at my own words. Since when did I become this absolutely besotted man? I don’t even recognize myself. Falling in love with Elisabetta has completely changed my life.
“Have you thought about writing her a letter?” Romeo asks me, and I frown at his comment. “I know that sounds goofy, but Elisabetta loves receiving letters. She loves reading and writing. She used to have a blog. She hasn’t written on it in a while, but she likes grand, romantic gestures as well as sincere acts of honesty.” He gives me a look. “You’re going to have to step out of your comfort zone and step it up.”
“She’s not going to read anything I write.” I choke as I look down. “She wants me to leave. She wants nothing to do with me.”
“Show her that you’re worthy.” Skye touches me on the shoulder. “Think about everything you know and love about her. And show her that she’s the one.”
“Thank you both.” A sudden lightness passes through me as I feel the warmth of their gazes. They have accepted me. The two people closest to Elisabetta believe me, and that gives me hope. I jump up and head to the door. “I have a letter to write.” I rush to my room and pull out a pad and paper. I need to think before I write. I need to make this the most heartfelt letter I’ve ever written in my life. And as I sit there, I can’t think. I don’t know what to say. My brain is frozen. The feelings are there. The passion is there, but I’m scared. What if the words can’t express the magnitude of what I want to say? I’m starting to feel frustrated by the fact that I can’t think of the words to say, so I pick up my phone and call Daisy.
“Liam, I’ve been thinking of you.” Her voice is soft with understanding. I’ve already told her everything that’s happened, and she has been supporting me every step of the way. “Elisabetta talking to you yet?”
“She still hates me.”
“She doesn’t hate you.”
“Well, she doesn’t like me.”
“I’m sorry. I know how much you’re hurting.”
“It’s a pain like none other.”
“She has a valid reason to be upset...”
“I know, and I understand.” I want to shout, but the only person I’m frustrated and angry with is myself. “I’m going to write her a letter, but I don’t know what to say.”
“Think about what’s in your heart. Think about what’s in her heart. Think about all the things that make her special to you. Unique. Think about what she’s expressed to you in confidence. And go from there.”
“I’m just scared. What if I write this letter and she still wants nothing to do with me?”
“Then so be it, but you have to try.” She pauses for a few moments and then speaks again. “Sometimes loving someone is knowing that their life may be better or easier without you in it.”
“You think she’s better off without me?”
“No, but she may think that right now.” She sighs. “I’m sorry, Liam, but you know I will always be honest with you.” I can tell from her tone that she’s upset for me, and that is why I love her so. “Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you and if you want me to fly over. I don’t want you to be there by yourself and not have anyone there supporting you.”
“I know you and Harriet have plans, and I don’t want to disrupt them, but thank you. I love you. I think I have an idea for the letter, so I’m going to let you go now, but I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Good luck, Liam, we love you.”