Chapter 99

“But how can I believe you?” Lyra wiped her eyes. “Our whole marriage was based on a lie. You used me to get to your brother . You neglected my feelings for you and tried to keep me away from my sister. If Illyra hadn't arrived on time, I would have chosen you over her. You hurt me, Victor. How can I ever give you my whole heart again?” Viktor stared at her, his heart pounding. He finally shook his head. “I don’t know.” He gave a low laugh, running his hand through his dark, tousled hair. “I wouldn’t blame you for telling me to go to hell. In fact, I sort of figured you would. I don't deserve your trust again. It's a miracle that you even agreed to speak despite everything I've done to you. Trust me, if you don't take me back, I understand and I will forever see you as the best woman for me on earth." “Then why come all this way? If you knew I wasn't going to say yes, why did you waste your time to come here?" “Because you had to know what was in my heart,” he whispered. “I had to tell you how you changed me. Forever. You made me want to be the idealistic, loyal person I once was. The man I was born to be.” He shook his head. "It's so unfortunate that I had to hurt you to learn that lesson myself. I swear that I regret every single decision I made to hurt you." Covering her face with her hands, she wept. Falling on his knees before her, Viktor wrapped his arms around her. “I’m so sorry I tried to separate you and your sister, Lyra. I was selfish and I was a coward. Losing you was the one thing I thought I couldn’t face.” He felt her stiffen, then slowly, her hand rose to stroke his hair. It was the single sweetest touch of his life. Viktor looked up, his eyes hot with unshed tears. “But I should have thought of you first. Put you first. Now, all I want is for you to be happy. Whether you choose to be with me. Or—” he swallowed “—without—” “Shut up.” She put her finger to his lips, and his voice choked off. She said slowly, “I’ve learned I can live without you. I've learned to shut my heart to love and focus on the things that truly matter to me. I've learned to forget about you and all the special time we had together." Viktor’s heart cracked inside his chest. He’d lost her. She was going to send him away, back into the bleak winter. “But I’ve also learned,” Lyra whispered, “that I don’t want to.” Her brown eyes were suddenly warm, like the sky after a sudden spring storm. “I tried to stop loving you. But once I love someone, I love for life.”