“One hundred and fifty–three days,” Nick continued, his words breaking with emotion. You’ve been gone for one hundred and fifty–three days.”
And then, much to Mia’s astonishment, tears began to well up in his eyes.
A hundred and fifty–three days didn’t sound like a long time–barely six months. But to Nick, each day, each hour, each second had felt like an eternity. It was only after Mia left that he realized just how much longing could stretch time into an unbearable, endless ache.
“Mia,” he whispered, his voice trembling and choked with tears. “Please don’t leave me again. Never again. I was wrong–so wrong. I never should have brought Xena into our home, and 1 never should’ve treated you the way I did.
“But all of that, it wasn’t real,” Nick insisted, clutching her as if letting go would break him. ” It was all for revenge against Xena. The truth is, the only person I’ve ever truly loved is you.
Finally face–to–face with Mia, Nick couldn’t wait to unload everything he had been holding onto. He told her about all his plans, explaining that the wedding had been real. He had truly intended to give her the grand, unforgettable wedding she deserved. He blamed Jenna for ruining everything.
+25 BONUS
“I’ve already punished Jenna severely,” Nick assured her. “I cut off her allowance for a year,” grounded her for a month, and made it clear that she’s never to disrespect you again!
After rambling on for what felt like forever, Nick placed his hands on Mia’s shoulders, softening his tone in an attempt to coax her. “Mia, I know I’ve done terrible things. I was an idiot. I’m sorry. Please, forgive me. Come home with me. Let’s start over.”
Mia couldn’t help but laugh.
She had never imagined she would live to see the day Nick apologized to her. But what surprised her even more was how little it mattered to her now.
She had loved him once, with all her heart. She had thrown everything she had into that love. She had also hated him. She hated his cruelty, his indifference, and the fact that he couldn’t give her even the smallest shred of love in return.
For five long years, she had given him everything: her youth, her energy, her passion, her love. And in return, all she had ever wanted was a simple apology, an acknowledgment of the pain he had caused her.
But he had never apologized. Not once. Not for any of the countless cruel and unforgivable things he had done to her.
Now, here he was, finally saying the words she had once desperately longed to hear.
And yet, Mia realized, she no longer cared.
