Chapter 35
JANE
—I love you, Jane, he says simply. I love you in a way I never thought possible. The idea of you leaving terrifies me. Not because it would complicate a contract or anything that superficial, but because life without you feels empty—colorless, joyless.
The words come pouring out now, like a dam breaking after years of pressure.
—I’m sorry I didn’t tell you yesterday. I was so focused on doing the “right” thing, on not holding you back, that I forgot to be honest. The truth is… I want you to stay. I want us to build a life together. Here, in Los Angeles, anywhere—as long as we’re together.
Tears fill my eyes, my throat too tight to respond. So I just look at him. And listen.
—I know your career matters to you, and I would never ask you to give it up. If you need to go to Los Angeles for this role, then we’ll find a way to make this work. I’ll fly out as often as I have to, I’ll delegate more, I’ll do whatever it takes.
He steps closer, closing the distance between us.
—But please don’t leave thinking I’d be relieved… or that I’d rather be married to someone else. You are everything I’ve ever wanted without even knowing it. You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Jane. And I am completely, hopelessly, scandalously in love with you.
A tear slips down my cheek—but I’m smiling now, my heart racing.
—That’s the longest speech I’ve ever heard you give, I point out. And definitely the most moving.
—What if I told you I’d rather risk failure with you than guarantee success without you? he asks quietly.
His voice is calm, but I can feel the emotion vibrating beneath it.
—I’d say that’s the most romantic—and least Callum-like—thing you’ve ever said, I reply, a shaky smile forming on my lips.
—Jane, he says, taking my hands in his. I won’t lie and say I’m not afraid. I am. I’m terrified. Terrified you’ll leave and never come back. Terrified you’ll stay and end up feeling trapped. Terrified I won’t be the man you need.
He draws in a deep breath.
—But what scares me even more is spending the rest of my life wondering what would’ve happened if we’d been brave enough to give ourselves a real chance.
—That sounds like something straight out of one of those romantic movies you claim to hate, I tease, unable to resist even now.
—I’ve learned to appreciate them, he admits with a faint smile. Because of you.
He releases my hands and cups my face.
—I can’t tell you what to do, Jane. This is your decision. But what I can tell you is that I love you. Not like a business arrangement, not like an obligation—but like a man loves the woman who turned his entire life upside down and made it infinitely better.
His words reach something deep inside me—unlocking that last guarded part of my heart that was still afraid to believe, afraid to trust.
—I love you too, Callum McGregor. In every possible universe, in every version of this story, I end up falling in love with you. It’s inevitable.
—Then stay. Not for me, not for a contract—but for us. For what we could build together.
Instead of answering, I throw myself into his arms, burying my face against his chest, breathing him in.
—I was so afraid you wanted me to leave, I whisper against his sweater. That everything we shared didn’t matter to you as much as it did to me.
He holds me tightly, like he’s afraid I might disappear.
—How could I ever want you to leave? You changed my life, Jane. Before you, I existed—but I wasn’t really living.
I lift my head to look at him. His eyes shine with something that speaks straight to my heart.
—I love you, Callum McGregor. And I don’t want to leave. I want to stay here—with you.
—And the role? he asks softly. Scorsese?
I shrug lightly.
—It’s an amazing opportunity—but it’s just a movie. There will be others. And the UK has a pretty solid film industry. Who knows? Maybe I can find work here—or split my time between both.
He brushes his thumb along my cheek.
—All I know is I don’t want to sacrifice what we have for any role—no matter how prestigious. You matter more than all the gold statues in the world.
Then he kisses me.
A kiss that holds everything we’ve struggled to say. Soft. Patient. Like he has all the time in the world to show me how he feels. So different from our first contractual kiss—and yet exactly where we were always meant to end up.
When we finally pull apart, I see it in his eyes—everything he’s never quite been able to say out loud. And I know, with a certainty that goes beyond logic, that this is where I belong. Not on a Hollywood set. Not under flashing cameras on a red carpet.
But here.
In this Scottish castle.
With this complicated, extraordinary man.
—Scorsese will have to find someone else, I say at last. I’ve got a far more important role to play here.
The smile that lights up his face is worth more than every Oscar in existence.
—Are you sure? he asks anyway.
—Absolutely, I confirm. Besides, I’ve got commitments here. There’s the annual archery championship to defend, Hamish needs someone to listen to his existential crises, and I promised Mrs. Finley I’d learn how to cook haggis.
—You know, he says with a smile, we don’t actually need to go all the way to the cabin. I think we’ve already worked everything out right here.
I grin back at him, playful.
—Are you suggesting we head back to the castle? Face the family inquisition?
—I’m suggesting we take our time getting back, he replies, pulling me into his arms again. After all, they think you won’t be back until tonight. We have the whole day ahead of us.
—I like the way you think, McGregor, I say, rising onto my toes to kiss him again. Who knew you had a rebellious streak?
—I’ll surprise you again, Carter-McGregor, he promises. We’ve got a lifetime for that.
And as we make our way toward the cabin, hand in hand beneath the shifting Highland sky, I finally feel whole.
Whatever the future holds… as long as Callum is beside me, I’m home.