Page 71 of Modern Romance January 2025 5-8

Shouts of laughter and a clink of glasses in the hallway made him flinch.

‘May I come in?’ A shudder raked through him. ‘The sounds. The people. It feels... I feel...’

The enormity of what he’d done propelled her upright. She reached for his arm despite knowing that touching him would only make missing him worse when he left. But feeling the tremors running through him, her heart ached. ‘Come in. It’s fine.’

Jaw clenched, he stared bleakly at her. ‘Is it?’ He shook his head, glancing around. ‘Can we sit, please?’

‘Yes. Of course.’

He sat, his gaze never leaving hers.

While she tortured herself with his scent, noting he looked a little haggard. While she basked in him not taking his eyes off her.

‘You play the violin even more beautifully than the piano.’

‘Oh...thank—’ She stopped. Her eyes widening. ‘That was you applauding, wasn’t it?’

‘Sí.’

She spun around, taking in the flowers with fresh eyes. ‘And these?’

‘A fraction of what you deserve,mi amor.’ Then, ‘Have I lost you, Willow? Is it too late?’

Her throat clogged, thankfully stopping her eager answer. She needed to know what she was dealing with before her shattered heart disintegrated even further. ‘That depends.’

‘Tell me.’

‘Can you ever forgive what happened in the past? Can you ever look at me and not see the daughter of the man who destroyed your family?’

‘I never held what your father did against you. I never would.’ His jaw tightened. ‘He’s here. He wants another chance with you. If it’s not too late?’

Her breath caught. ‘I’m willing to try if he is,’ she murmured.

Jario swallowed. ‘We’ve spoken. I haven’t told him yet, but I’m buying his company. Everyone who wants their job back can have it. And... I’ve forgiven him,tesoro. You should take that win because you taught me that.’

‘I did?’ Elation surged with increments of hope.

He nodded. ‘Your ability to see the good in everyone. To believe that everyone, no matter how flawed, is redeemable. I...want...no, I need that. You showed me there was light at the end of the tunnel. What the hell am I talking about? You’re my light, Willow. It took watching you leave my yacht to realise that. But if you’ll take me back, I promise I will never let you go. I love you.’

Her jaw dropped. ‘You love me?’

‘Probably since that night I turned around and saw you. It felt especially cruel that the fates would send me the woman of my dreams with the name Chatterton, but what I didn’t know was that it was a blessing in disguise. You were exactly who I needed to knock me off my destructive path.’ His eyes darkened. ‘My only regret is that my father never met you.’

Tears prickled her eyes. ‘Wherever he is, I’m sure he’s looking down on you with pride and love, Jario. That if this is what you want, then he would want that for you, too.’

His breath shuddered out. ‘There you go again. Being the blessing I don’t deserve.’

‘You more than deserve me. And... I love you, too, Jario. So much. But...your mother—’

‘Will come around eventually. She’ll see the beautiful, considerate person you are and know that I’m blessed to have you.’

The shattered pieces of her heart coalesced in a soaring rush that made her gasp. ‘Oh, Jario.’

‘Kiss me,mi corazón. Then let me fly us home.’

‘To the yacht?’

Despite the pained look on his face, he shook his head. ‘I left the yacht, and I’ve changed its name. ToLuz Guia.’