“Marry me.”
She stared at him as the sun rose on Monday morning, their lives ahead of them.
It was crazy. Madness. “Luca!” She shook her head. “We’ve just met.”
“So?” He answered her laugh with one of his own. “You were dating Ashton four years and it never felt like this, right?”
She nodded, tears in her eyes.
“And I was engaged to someone because it was the ‘right’ thing to do and God, I dreaded every day of that reality. That’s how I know how right this is, Bronte. My darling, beautiful, carissima, bella Bronte.” Her heart flipped like a seal.
“Don’t answer me now.” He turned away from her, walking towards a drawer in the kitchen and opening it slowly. “But wear this, while you are deciding.”
She held her breath, expecting him to return with a small jeweller’s box. She was wrong. While it was clearly from a jeweller, this box was large. She opened it and gasped at the solitaire diamond that sparkled back at her, set in four claws and suspended from a necklace.
“This isn’t an engagement ring.”
“I wasn’t sure you’d want one of those,” he said quietly. “This is a token of my love – a small token.”
She bit back a rejection of that description. She was no expert but the diamond was easily the size of her thumb. She’d guess five carats.
“This was Yaya’s. When I told her about you, she suggested you have it.”
Bronte’s stomach swirled. “You’ve told her about me?”
“She has a nose for this sort of thing,” he said with a laugh.
“What did she say?” Bronte fingered the diamond, her eyes wide.
“That she hopes you’re not so British as to insist on remaining in this country forever,” he grinned.
“And what did you say?”
“That I love you and where we live is your decision.”
Bronte tilted her head to the side. “To which she replied?”
“That I’m a very smart man.” He winked, crouching down in front of her. “This isn’t an engagement ring but it is a promise, Bronte, that I am yours – all of me – for as long as we live.”
She stared at him, her throat thickening with emotions, her heart about to explode. “And to think, it all started with a lie,” she clucked in a soft voice.
“It was no lie.” He corrected, lifting up so he could hook the necklace around her throat. “It was a truth neither of us realised yet, that’s all.”
Epilogue
“COME HERE, CARA.” BRONTE smiled at hearing that same term of endearment from Yaya’s lips. She turned to find the older woman standing a few metres away, watching Bronte thoughtfully.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Bronte said, placing the ornament down on a nearby table and moving towards Luca’s grandmother.
“Mind? What?”
“I just saw the ornaments lying there and thought I’d put some up.” She eyed the tree thoughtfully. It was enormous – one of several that the Montebello men had brought to the villa the day before.
“It’s Christmas time, Bronte.” Yaya put out a hand, resting it on Bronte’s arm. Her touch was feather-light. “And what a gift it is to have you here with us.”
Warmth spread through Bronte. It had only been six months since Luca had convinced Bronte that he loved her with all his heart, and yet she had been coming to Villa Fortune with him most weekends ever since. The total acceptance from Luca’s family had been something she hadn’t known she’d needed, and yet it had filled her with such happiness. For someone who’d always known family love and support, recognising that they would receive that from both sides had meant a lot to Bronte.
“I have been wanting to thank you for some time, but you are so rarely alone,” Yaya said on a slight grumble, nodding towards the sofa.
Bronte resisted an urge to offer her arm for support. Though Yaya was slight, she was also strong and determined. She walked slowly; Bronte didn’t rush her.
“Thank me for what?”
“For what you’ve done to Luca.” Yaya’s eyes glittered as they met Bronte’s. “He’s changed so much since meeting you.”
“Has he?”
“Oh, yes, darling. He’s happy again. Happy like he was as a teenager, and a young man. I had wondered if I’d ever see him laugh – really laugh – again, but now I know.” She put her hand on Bronte’s. “He just needed to meet you.”
Bronte’s heart soared, and emotions thickened in her throat. “We’re lucky to have found each other.”
“Mmm,” Yaya nodded. She lifted her hand then to the necklace Bronte wore – the diamond Luca had given her after the weekend they spent together in London. “Did he tell you where this came from?”
“He told me you gave it to him – for me.”
“I did.”
“It’s very beautiful.”
Yaya’s lips twisted. “I think so too.” She dropped her hand back to Bronte’s. “Gianfelice gave it to me, you know.”
Bronte had never met Gianfelice. He passed away before she started working for the Montebellos, but she’d heard about him from members of staff – his legendary approach to work, his impressive business ethic and razor sharp intelligence.
“I wasn’t aware.”
Yaya made a noise of agreement. “It was the first Christmas after the boys came to live with us. It was a terrifying time, in many ways. I wondered if we’d done the right thing.” She sighed. “Taking children from their parents…”
Bronte nodded softly. “I can imagine how difficult that decision must have been.”
“In the end, the decision was easy – we knew it had to be done. But the aftermath,” she lifted her eyes heavenwards. “I had to grapple with the reality of realising I’d had to save my grandchildren from my sons. I had to face the fact that I had effectively lost three children.” Her voice cracked a little. “I think about them all the time you know. More as I get older.”
Bronte felt the older woman’s grief; her heart ached for her. “I think hindsight can often play tricks on us. The most important thing we can do is trust that, at the time, our instincts were solid.”
Yaya’s eyes widened.
“You did what was necessary for your grandchildren. And in a way, you made it possible for your sons to face their demons and choose a different path. What could be more genuinely motivating than having your children removed from your care?”
Yaya sighed. “And yet, they didn’t change.”
Bronte put a hand on Yaya’s. “Perhaps they will, or perhaps they won’t. You can only be responsible for your actions.”
Yaya was lost in thought. “I often find myself wishing –,”
“Yes?” Bronte prompted, when Yaya fell silent.
“My daughter.” Her voice cracked. “It’s too late. She died, you know, and I never got to see her, after she left. But her son, Samir, I only met him once. He barely spoke to me.” She winced. “I know how hurt his mother was by Gianfelice and me.”
Bronte knew she couldn’t take the pain of regret away; all she could do was sit with Yaya and indulge her reflections and memories. But a moment later, Yaya seemed to rouse herself, a weak smile crossing her pale, lined face. “Anyway, the necklace.” Her eyes dropped to the diamond. “Gianfelice gave it to me to mark our first Christmas with the boys. I wore it every day for a long time, because it reminded me that even when things are at their worst – and those were some very dark times, cara – there is still the possibility of beauty and pleasure. I wanted you, particularly, to have it.”
Bronte’s heart was touched, but she frowned. “Why?”
“Because without you, Luca was in darkness, and now you are his light. For that I will be eternally grateful.”
Bronte’s eyes were sparkling with tears. The happy kind; those that came from laughing until your sides could split. The whole night had been an exercise in perfection. Sitting under a long table with fairy lights strung overhead, delicious food, wine, music an
d company, her soul was ripe to burst.
“Gabe will be here in time, won’t he?” She heard Fiero’s wife Elodie ask Nico’s wife Maddie.
Maddie looked around, lowering her voice but encompassing Bronte in the confidence. “He was making noises about not coming home for Christmas at all,” Maddie murmured. “I know Nico was furious about that.”
“So was Fiero,” Elodie nodded. “With Yaya’s health as it is…”
They all looked towards the older woman, sitting at the head of the table, a contented expression of her face.
Bronte unconsciously lifted her fingers to the necklace, toying with it.
“She’s doing very well,” Alessia, Massimo’s wife smiled. As a doctor, she’d taken to overseeing Yaya’s health concerns. “Though of course, age is no one’s friend.”
“Which is why it would be great if Gabe could guarantee he’d be here,” Lauren joined in, pulling her long blonde hair over one shoulder and wrapping the ends around her fingertips. Lauren and Yaya had a deep bond, and her insights were particularly helpful. “I feel as though he’s becoming even more distant lately.”
“He is,” Alessia murmured thoughtfully. “I know Massimo is worried about him.”
Despite being ‘new’ to the family, everyone had been so welcoming of Bronte, she had no hesitations in speaking her mind. She had been shown such welcome and acceptance that she already felt strong bonds of friendship forming with the women who would become her sisters in law.
“There’s something else to consider,” Bronte said thoughtfully. Each woman turned to face her. “Samir.”
Elodie’s eyes flared wide. “Yes, of course.”
“I know Yaya would like to see him again,” Lauren agreed with a nod.
“Do you know if anyone’s contacted him?”
Blank faces met Bronte’s question.
“I don’t think so,” Alessia responded.
“Not since Gianfelice’s funeral,” Elodie added.
“I wonder if there’s something we can do about that?” Bronte posed, her eyes sweeping the women.
Lauren’s nod was enthusiastic. “You’re a genius, Bronte.”
Alessia’s smile was broad. “Definitely one of us.”
Elodie leaned closer. “We’re so happy Luca found you.”
The tears in Bronte’s eyes later that night were not from laughing so hard her sides could burst, but they were still happy tears. Three nights before Christmas and she felt aglow with warmth and pleasure. “Your family is pretty incredible.”
Luca wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her closer. “Right back at you.”
“We’re very lucky.”
“I’m very lucky,” he corrected, brushing his lips over hers. “As everyone in my whole family keeps pointing out to me.”
Her cheeks glowed warm. “They’ve all been so kind.”
“They’ve been exactly what you deserve.”
Her heart thumped and nerves spread through her. Silly nerves that she was surprised she could feel. And yet she stood on a precipice of a new life, and explaining that to Luca felt monumental. It was monumental.
“I wanted to give you something on Christmas morning, but I don’t think I can wait until then.”
His grin made her tummy flip and flop. “I was thinking the same thing.”
She blinked. “You want to give me something early too?”
“Yes. I thought I could wait but it turns out, I’m too impatient. Do you mind?”
Momentarily distracted, she shook her head. “Of course not.”
“I’m glad. Because I don’t think I can go another minute without doing this.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to ask what he meant but then he kneeled down in front of her, his eyes suspiciously emotional as he stared into hers. “You really are the love of my life, Bronte. I swore I’d never get married and never fall in love and then I met you. I could never not love you Bronte, and marrying you – if you’ll have me – would be the greatest achievement of my life.”
Her heart thumped against her ribs as he pulled a ring box from his top pocket and cracked the lid.
Inside was the most beautiful diamond surrounded by small emeralds. “They reminded me of your eyes,” he said quietly. Nervously? Her stomach squeezed. The idea of Luca feeling nervous was too much to bear.
“You don’t have to say ‘yes’,” he assured her. “It’s an open-ended offer. Just whenever you’re ready. I know this is fast.”
Her laugh bubbled out of her. “Fast is exactly what I was just thinking about.” She took his hand in hers, lacing their fingers together. “The thing is, my present to you is not entirely unrelated.”
He frowned. “You were planning to propose?”
“Not exactly.” She drew his hand towards her mid-section, her eyes misting over. “I think we should get married, and fast. Say, within the next month or so, before my tummy gets bigger and everyone knows.”
“Knows?” He blinked. “Are you saying…?” He scrambled to his feet, his hands cupping her cheeks so he could see properly. “You can’t be saying…”
She laughed again, tears running from her cheeks. “I am.”
“Pregnant?”
“Yep.”
He wrapped her in his arms, hugging her tight. “I cannot believe it.”
“I was nervous to tell you,” she said softly. “Because of what happened with Mattia. I know this must be a confronting time for you.”
He groaned. “Confronting? No. I will always grieve Mattia but that doesn’t mean I cannot also feel joy. And right now, I feel such an abundance of it, I can barely breathe. How can you be so perfect, cara, that you make all of my dreams come true?”
She sighed. “Because you’re doing that for me. Every minute of every day, and I will always love you, Luca. Always and forever.”
He kissed her, swallowing the promise, the ring forgotten for now, nothing penetrating the fog of their happiness, nothing mattering except the future they were on the precipice of stepping into – together.
THE END
The 6th book in The Montebellos, Gabe’s story, will be released soon! You can pre-order BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN before its October 2020 release date! Happy reading.
And don’t forget to leave a review for IT STARTED WITH A LIE! Happy reading, lovely one.
Following is a whole bonus book, because we can all use all the happy endings we can get right now, amiright? I hope you enjoy THE SHEIKH’S BABY BARGAIN. And don’t forget, Clare Connelly’s Evermore series is now available in Audio! So if you prefer to listen to your sigh-worthy happy endings, check them out now.
It Started With A Lie: A forbidden fake-boyfriend Cinderella romance (The Montebellos Book 5) Page 17