Chapter 7 - THE WOMAN WHO NEVER STOPPED LOVING HIM
Roman's health worsened in December.
Her doctors recommended further treatment.
Salvatore offered to help arrange appointments and cover the costs.
This time, Roman accepted.
Not because she owed him anything.
But because she was tired of being afraid.
One evening, Salvatore sat beside her hospital bed.
Snow fell beyond the window.
Roman looked at him.
“You still wear it.”
Salvatore glanced at his ring.
“Yes.”
She smiled faintly.
“After all these years?”
He looked at her.
“I tried taking it off.”
Roman's eyes filled.
“Why didn't you?”
Salvatore swallowed.
“Because I couldn't believe you were gone.”
She began crying.
He took her hand.
“I was angry.”
“I know.”
“I thought you abandoned me.”
“I know.”
His voice broke.
“But I never stopped loving you.”
Roman closed her eyes.
Tears slipped down her cheeks.
“I never stopped either.”
Salvatore leaned forward.
Rested his forehead against hers.
For twenty-two years, they'd lived separate lives.
Built walls.
Buried memories.
Pretended the past couldn't hurt them anymore.
Now they were sitting together in a hospital room, older and more frightened than they'd been when they first fell in love.
But the feeling was still there.
Not untouched.
Not simple.
But real.
Roman whispered, “We can't get those years back.”
Salvatore nodded.
“I know.”
She opened her eyes.
“Then don't waste the ones we have left.”
May you like
He kissed her forehead.
“I won't.”
