Chapter Forty-Five Drea
Slowly, I came back into my surroundings. Each time I tried opening my eyes, they wouldn’t budge. But I could hear the machines around me. And I could smell the antiseptic.
But there was another smell. One I was so familiar with. It was Leo’s cologne. I’d given it to him for Christmas. He’d said it was his favorite present since whenever I got a whiff, I threw myself at him.
“Drea, can you hear me?” he asked.
Yes, I’m here. But I realized it was just in my mind, and that my lips were wrapped around a breathing tube.
“I hope you can hear me because there are some things I need to say to you.”
Okay. I’m listening.
“I’m sorry for the way I acted at the gallery. I should’ve taken some time to really think about the reasons for your actions before I came to see you. I know you didn’t have a choice.”
No, I didn’t.
Leo sighed. “At the end of the day, what you did was honorable because you were willing to throw away your own happiness to protect the lives of your baby and Vittoria. I know you’d do the same for me if push came to shove.
I’m no angel, Leo. I made mistakes, especially what I did at the party. Even though I want to regret it, I can’t. It gave me Luca.
“I hope you can forgive me. I want a second chance to show you how much I love you.”
Oh Leo, I want that so much, too.
“Vittoria told me to tell you the good and the bad, so here it is. I don’t know if I can love Luca like you need me to.”
Pain sliced through me. How could Leo apologize and want a second chance, yet tell me that he couldn’t love my son?
“I know it’s horrible, but I’m so angry with him right now. Fuck! I’m so angry with myself right now. What kind of bastard am I? Like maybe I am my father.”
He squeezed my hand tighter. “Drea, please, I can’t do this without you. I need you. Please, please come back to me.”
If I come back now, it won’t be for you. It’ll be for Luca. I won’t come back to you until you accept him.
To my surprise, he chuckled. “I get it now. You’re playing hardball. You’re not going to wake up until I get my head out of my ass about Luca.”
You got that right.
His breath warmed against my cheek. “You know I don’t like to lose, Drea. And I’m not going to lose you.”
His lips pressed tenderly against my skin. It sent so many memories flickering through my mind. “I’ve got to go meet our son.”
Give him a kiss for me.
But he was already gone.