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“Can you do me a favor?”
I laugh gently. In a moment of distress, of course Fia would make it feel like nothing else matters but she and I.
“Anything,” I answer quickly.
“Will you say it?”
The murmur of her voice is meant only for me; it’s quiet, but the meaning is so damn loud. Her hands come up to grasp mine, holding her up. They’re not pressed, they’re lethargic, but gripping with all the strength they have.
“You sure you want me to? Once I say it, Sofia baby, it’s final. You’re mine, no takebacks.”
Nodding, she whispers so only I can hear. “I want you…” she trails off, drifting as if she’s going to pass out again.
Fuck, I’ve got to get her out of here.
But not before I tell her.
“I want you to say it.” She finishes her request just as I think I’ve lost her, and I don’t waste a second more.
“I love you. From the first night, the first touch, the first sketch you made in my heart, I’ve loved you, and till my very last breath, I love you.”
My forehead drops to hers as we breathe in a shared breath. As I hold her and promise myself to never let her go, no matter what.
When I think she’s drifted again, I rise to my feet, her weak body in my arms.
Following the dim light that leads backstage, I finally see her in the light. She looks up at me, tears pouring from her eyes as mine threaten to do the same, until she murmurs, “I love you too.”
CHAPTER 65
FIA
The last thought I had was of Jett, and low and behold, I woke up in his arms. It took me a while to realize that I wasn’t dreaming. Through the hard, the pain, through it all, he’s here.
“Honey, oh my goodness, are you okay?”
We’ve been sitting in the back dressing room until I had a full meal, two electrolyte drinks, and a full dessert. Jett made sure of it. With tight security all over this place, it took my parents a little longer to reach backstage than it would’ve if they would’ve just bum-rushed the stage.
“Hi, Daddy, I’m fine.”
Tears swell around my eyes, looking at how distressed my parents are. Holding my head in his wrinkly hands, my dad looks between Jett and me, then back to my mother.
“This isn’t him,” I confirm, making sure they don’t suspect Jett is the one who abused me two years ago.
When they came to Seattle, I told them everything. About that night, about the last two years, about Jett. Outside of my busy rehearsal schedule, it felt nice having them around since my main source of comfort wasn’t.
“This is Jett. He’s my…” I trail off just as he steps in.
“Mr. and Mrs. Chandler, so lovely to meet you. I’m Jett Parker, your daughter’s boyfriend.”
A simple smile tips from my mom’s small lips, and she steps ahead of my dad.
“Thank you for saving our baby,” Mom says.
“She’s always safe with me,” Jett adds, and it rings truer than anything I’ve heard before.
Sticking a head into the small room we’re crammed in, Haven and Taylor slowly enter.
“I’m fine, I promise. Stop looking at me like that.” I wave them off as worry covers both of their faces.
