Page 91 of Finding Forgiveness

“No, whatever it is you have to say to me, you can say it right here.”

“Okay.” He takes a deep breath. “Cassandra Lewis, I feel like I have loved you my entire life.” He extends his arm and starts feeling around on the grass for the box he dropped when I tackled him.

“Here you go, Uncle Connor,” Blake says, picking it up and handing it to him.

“Thanks, champ.” His attention moves back to me. “Six years ago, I bought you this promise ring … it was your Christmas present, because even back then I knew I wanted to marry you one day.”

“You did?”

“Yes. And although I never got the chance to give it to you—and it was a constant reminder of everything I had lost—I held on to it, and do you know why?”

“Why?”

“Because true love will always find its way back to you.”

“Oh, Con,” I say as tears fill my eyes. “That was beautiful, and the answer is a big fat yes.”

“I still haven’t asked the question.”

I wince. “Sorry, go ahead.”

“I can’t imagine growing old with anyone but you, nor do I want to. There are many ways to find happiness in this life, Cass, but all I need is you. You deserve the world … someone who will always have your back, let you grow without borders, and love you without end. Let me be that person for you. Marry me?”

The tears are freely flowing now as I smile down at him. I know I don’t deserve this beautiful man after the way I treated him, but I want him, and for once in my life I’m going to do something selfish … I’m keeping him.

“Now’s the time to answer,” he utters.

“Oh right,” I say with a small laugh. “Even when we were apart, in my heart you were still mine. You were the dream I went to every time I closed my eyes.”

“Is that a yes?”

“Being your wife would be an honour, Connor Maloney.”

He lifts his head off the ground and places his lips against mine and everyone gathered around us cheers. “That’s still not a yes, but I’ll take it, Princess.”

Chapter28

Cassie

Ihold my hand out in front of me because I can’t stop staring at my ring. A part of me feels bad that we highjacked Jacinta and Mason’s wedding, but Connor keeps assuring me that they were in on his plan from the very beginning.

The guests are all seated inside the marquee, and the wedding party is outside the entrance waiting to be introduced.

“I take it you like your ring?” Connor asks. “You can’t stop looking at it.”

“The ring itself is exquisite, but what it signifies means so much more. How could you have afforded such a huge-arse diamond when you were only nineteen?”

“My mum set up a trust fund for me before she died. I got it when I was eighteen.”

“Con, that money was supposed to be for your future.”

“Youaremy future, Cass.”

This guy.

I slide my arms around his waist and rest my cheek on his broad chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart … the heart that I now know beats solely for me.

I knew this wedding would be amazing, but it turned out to be the best day of my life. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much. We’ve laughed, danced, and eaten the most amazing food. I’ve barely consumed any alcohol, because I don’t need it. I’m high on life.