Chapter 155 Home sweet Emma

Chapter 155 Home sweet Emma
Dyan's POV

“Do you know what it's like to struggle to pick something up from the floor because your stomach is in the way?” Emma asks with a shaky voice.

All my cowardly self can do is close my eyes.

“Do you know what it's like to be unable to put on your own shoes because your feet are so swollen?”

My jaw tightens because of course, I have no idea.

“To be too tired to do basic things but still having to do them because there is no one else to help you?”

“Emma...”

“Carmen was the only person who knew, and she was miles away at school, studying for exams.” She pulls back slightly, her face wet with tears. “I needed you, Dylan.”

My chest feels like it is being crushed. “You should have told me.”

The second the words leave my mouth, I know I have made a mistake.

Emma lifts her head. “Don't.”

I immediately shake my head. “That's not what I meant.”

“Don't try to use that against me.”

“I wasn't.”

“I did try.” She says and I go quiet. “I made attempts, Dylan.” She wipes her tears with the back of her hand. “And even if I wanted to tell you everything, how could I?”

I stare at her.

“Your life was the complete opposite of mine. You were getting better every day. You were playing hockey. You were in the news. Your career was moving forward.”

“Emma...”

“The media even started speculating that you and Kate Lawson were dating.”

My stomach twists.

“And you never tried to deny it.”

I open my mouth.

Nothing comes out.

“How do you think that made me feel?” she asks. “I assumed you were already with someone else. I thought you had moved on.” She laughs bitterly. “Of course I didn't want to ruin your new relationship.”

“I'm so sorry.”

“Stop saying that!”

I flinch.

She takes a shaky breath.

“I know.” I hold her gaze. “I know saying it won't fix any of those months. It won't give you back the moments you spent alone. It won't undo the fear or the pain.”

My voice cracks slightly.

“And I know I said my time without you was hard, but hearing what you went through...” I shake my head. “Mine doesn't even come close.”

She looks away.

“I know you told me to stop apologizing, but I don't know how else to tell you that I genuinely regret what I did.”

I take both her hands.

“And that's why I'm asking you to give me a chance to make it up to you.”

Her eyes lift to mine.

“I want to rebuild everything I've lost with you. Even if it takes time. Even if you don't trust me completely yet.”

I squeeze her fingers.

“I still want to fulfill all those little promises I made to you at two in the morning when we couldn't sleep.”

A small smile touches her lips despite the tears.

“I want to take you to the beach. I want to take you on multiple vacations. I want to take you to fancy events. I want to go boat riding with you.”

I smile.

“The list is endless, Emma. But I will never get tired of adding to it, as long as you're in it.”

Her expression softens.

“Everything I do, I do for you.” I take a breath. “I want to marry you.”

Her eyes widen.

I hold both her hands tighter.

“Marriage and commitment were never things I wanted.”

She remains silent.

“I hated the whole concept because of the broken home I came from. I saw what marriage could do to people. I saw what happened when love wasn't enough to keep two people from destroying each other.”

I look down at our joined hands.

“It took me forever to ask you out. Even longer to tell you I loved you.”

Her eyes soften.

“But then you came into my life, and I started opening up. I realized how much you were worth.”

I look back at her.

“You are a diamond in a pool of gems, Emma.”

Her lips tremble.

“You stayed even after hearing about my past. Even after finding out I had been suspended from school. You stayed when I was at home, completely lost, trying to figure out what to do with my life.”

A small smile touches my face.

“Now, maybe you were just an ovulating teenager.”

She laughs weakly through her tears.

“Or maybe you were in that stage after a breakup where people do things they eventually regret.”

“Dylan.”

“But you never looked like you regretted me.”

Her smile fades into something softer.

“And I wanted to keep you.”

I bring her hands to my lips.

“Forever.”

Her eyes fill again.

“As mine.”

I swallow.

“So please, baby.”

My voice is barely above a whisper now.

“I still want you in my life. I want to wake up beside you every morning. I want to spend all my money making you happy. I want to raise Dawn with you and watch her grow into the amazing woman her mother is.”

I squeeze her hands.

“I want you to trust me with your heart again.” My voice breaks. “I promise I won't break it.”

She stares at me.

“I want you. Always you.” I swallow hard. “Please, baby.” My heart is racing again. “Tell me you feel the same way.”

Emma doesn't answer. She just looks at me through tear-filled eyes.

I squeeze her hands tighter, suddenly terrified.
Then I swallow and wait.

Finally, she nods.

A sob escapes her.

“I love you, Dylan.”

I stop breathing.

“Yes.” She laughs through her tears. “Yes, I still want you.”

For a second, I can't move. A tear slips down my cheek as I pull her into my arms.

“Thank you.” I bury my face in her hair and hold her as tightly as I can. “Thank you, Emma.”

She clings to me, crying against my chest.

I kiss the top of her head.

“I promise you will never regret this decision.”