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"No, dammit. It's aboutyouand me—-it's always been you and me since Halloween five years ago." He tried to reach for her, but Ysabel stumbled back as if terrified by his touch, and her reaction cut him to the core. "Ysabel—-"

"It's over, okay?" she choked out. "And...and now, if you'll excuse me, I...I have somewhere to go."

Did she really think he would let her go just like that?

A gasp escaped her lips when Massimo's arms suddenly wrapped around her from behind in a chain-like embrace.

"Forgive me, Ysabel. Forgive me."

Tears tracked down her cheeks at the rawness of his tone. "There's nothing for me to forgive. You and Ynez—-"

"I don't give a damn about Ynez," Massimo bit out. "I never did—-"

His face whitened at the way Ysabel tore out of his hold at the words.

"Don't lie, Massimo. Please—-" Her voice broke, and his own fucking heart broke at the sound of it. "Just please don't."

"I'mnotlying," he said fiercely. "I know I was stupid and blind all these five years—-"

"But you loved her anyway—-"

"I never did, Ysabel. It's why we've stopped having sex for over a year. It's why I've never called her my little cherry after the night I metyou.I never loved her, and that's why I didn't feel a goddamn thing even when I saw her fucking another man."

Ysabel felt as if her world was spinning too fast for her. All this time, she had thought he had loved Ynez so much he was willing to forgive her sister for anything. But apparently, she was wrong about that, and she could only start crying again as Massimo cupped her cheeks with the most heartbreaking tenderness.

"I'm sorry I didn't realize it was you that night. I'm sorry I wasted five years with the wrong woman, and ended up hurting the one that truly mattered. I'm sorry I believed all of Ynez's lies—-"

She paled at his words, but he wouldn't let her pull away when she tried to break free.

"Massimo, when Ynez was in h-high school—-"

"I know,cieligina mia.I know you took the blame for her—-" His jaw clenched. "And the only reason she's still alive, after everything she's done to you is because she's your sister. But if you tell me you will not mind—-"

"I totally mind," she said quickly even as she fought back the urge to cry and laugh at the same time. Was this for real? Was Massimo really here saying—-

"I love you, Ysabel."

God. Oh God. Is this really happening?

"I have loved you from the first moment I saw you," Massimo said hoarsely. "And I will always love you. Soplease,please just give me a fucking chance before you marry another man—-"

This time, Ysabel did cry, and she did laugh as well. "Oh, Mas."

"I'm fucking serious—-"

"So am I."

And then she was taking the hands that were holding his face...and Massimo could only swallow hard as she kissed his knuckles on each hand.

"I missed you so much, Massimo. And I love you even more—-"

"Then will you promise to marry me," he asked tautly, "and not be someone else's wife?"

"Oh, Mas."

"I don't fucking know how to interpret that," he grated out.

"It can mean a lot of things," she teased shakily, "but right now it means...I only look like a bride in your eyes because you're biased. But actually...I'm someone else's bridesmaid, and—-"