“Please say something,” Thomas says.
“Are you sick?” Melina places her hand on his forehead to check his temperature.
“I’m not sick, Mi amore,” he says as he gently removes her hand from his forehead
“You’re definitely sick. You just referred to me as “your love.””
“That’s because you’re Melina. You’re the love of my life.”
“Is this some new way of torture because I don’t understand why you’re saying all of these?”
“I think I need to explain everything. I’m aware of what you did.”
“What did I do?”
“I know why you stole my money for James.”
“You do?” Melina says, finding it difficult to believe because what she expected from him, knowing the truth, isn’t what she’s getting.
“Yes, principessa. I know what you did to protect me.” Thomas squeezes her hand as his shoulders drop. Thomas appears to really know what happened. Did his mom tell him? Perhaps she did, but why isn’t he angry like I expect him to be? Why is he sad?
“Do you believe what you were told?”
“Yes, I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you… twice.” Melina’s heart sinks into a bottomless pit once the word ‘twice’ leaves Thomas’ mouth. He truly knows James killed their babies. Why is he not angry and blaming me for what happened? I’m befuddled.
“I’m sorry,” Melina says.
“For what?” Thomas asks, puzzled.
“For making you lose a child twice.” Melina’s eyes well up with tears as she thinks about her lost children.
“How can you blame yourself for what happened?” Thomas takes Melina’s face in his palm and forces her to look him in the eyes. “I don’t know why you would blame yourself for something that is totally not your fault, but since you do, let me be the one to tell you that you have no damn reason to blame yourself for the loss of our babies.” “If anyone is to blame, it’s that motherfucker who will be dead the second I see him. He is to blame; not you, definitely not you.” Thomas takes one of his hands away from Melina’s cheeks and gently strokes her hair.
“I wish I could believe you, but I’m the reason James is in your life. If I hadn’t come into your life, you wouldn’t have to deal with the loss of a child.”
“You’re forgetting that Rafael is the one who helped James in kidnapping you. I know Rafael didn’t ask James to kill our baby, but another of my enemies might have, so don’t blame yourself for something you couldn’t control. Please don’t do that to yourself.”
Melina doesn’t say anything for a minute. She just stares at Thomas as he strokes her hair. She can’t believe he doesn’t blame her for the loss of their children. Melina even wonders how he knew she was pregnant again. Maybe he figured it out while she was gone. Melina can’t also believe he knows she didn’t steal his money to benefit herself, but rather to protect him. She always assumed he won’t believe her; she’s so relieved he does.
“Why are you crying, Melina?” Thomas wipes the tears that are streaming down her cheeks. She doesn’t even know when she started crying.
“It’s just too unbelievable that you believe what your mother told you happened and don’t blame me for the loss of our babies.” she says, sniffing and wiping her cheeks clean.
“I was a fool for not believing you when you were truthful from the start. I’d never hold you responsible for something that wasn’t your fault.”
“Thank you. It means a lot to me that you believe me and don’t hold it against me.”
“You’re always welcome, principessa,” Thomas says, pecking her forehead.
Thomas spends the next few hours taking care of Melina. He ensures she’s comfortable, feeds her, and attends to all of her needs. Even though Melina knows the reason for the sudden change in behavior toward her, she still finds it a little unbelievable.
The most incomprehensible part is that he claims to still love her. Melina never imagined it was possible after everything that happened these past months. Melina believed that the only feeling he would ever have for her was hatred. She didn’t even think love was possible again. Thomas despised her beyond words. The suffering she endured because of his disdain for her is still fresh in her mind. That’s why Melina can’t seem to answer the questions roaming her head as he feeds her dinner. Do I forgive him for what he did to me? Can I forgive him? Should I forgive him? She knows he’s dying to hear her response. Melina wishes someone could answer these questions for her because she has no idea what to say right now.
Melina still harbors romantic feelings for Thomas, but she wonders if that’s enough for her to forgive him and forget everything that happened? She’s been through a lot in recent months. She’s relieved that he knows the truth and does not blame her, but she doesn’t know if she will forgive him for what he did to her just yet.
***
The following day, Melina requests that Thomas take her to where Franky is staying. Thomas says she’s still in a coma, and the doctors don’t know when she will awaken. Melina thanks Thomas for arranging the pillows behind her back on the chair next to Franky’s bed. Her wounds are still fresh, and as much as Thomas would prefer that she stay in bed and rest, she needed to check on Franky. Before leaving, Thomas kisses her on the forehead.
Her eyes well up with tears as she takes Franky’s hand in hers. She’s relieved Franky is receiving proper care and she will be fine, but Melina is sad because she feels responsible for Franky’s condition.
“Hello, Franky,” Melina says, resting her chin on their clasped hands. “How are you doing today?”
“I’m sure you’re doing the same.” She snorts, wiping away her tears.
“I miss you. I really hope you wake up soon.”
“There’s so much I wish to tell you.” Melina casts an aimless glance at the ground.
As her voice echoes in the room, more tears stream down Melina’s cheeks.
“I’m sure you hate me. I’d hate myself too if I were the reason for your condition.”
“Even if I wanted to hate you, I couldn’t because I love you too much,” a voice, not Melina’s, says in the room.
Melina’s gaze abruptly rises from the floor. They lock with greyish green eyes that are identical to hers.
“Fr-r-anky,” Melina rushes out of her seat and pulls Franky into a hug. The second Franky’s arms wrap around Melina, a wince escapes her lips, but she ignores the pain and doesn’t try to pull away. She’s too excited to see Franky awake to acknowledge the pain in her back.
“You’re hurt!” Franky expresses surprise as she realizes this.
“It’s nothing,” Melina says as she takes back her seat.
“He promised me he won’t hurt you.”
“Who?”
“James.”
“I’m not surprised he lied to you.”
“I can’t believe he hurt you after everything I did to ensure he wouldn’t.”
“I’m sorry you had to go through what you did because of me. Franky, I’m deeply sorry for all your pain over the last few days.”
“You don’t have to apologize to me, Mel.” Franky places her hand on Melina’s cheek. “You’re my baby sister; I’ll always protect you.” She gives her a soft smile.
“Thank you, and me too.” Melina places her hand above Franky’s and gives her a little smile back. “I’ll always protect you.”
Melina spends the rest of the day with Franky. She only leaves her room because she needs to change her wound dressing. Melina plans to move into her room and take care of her while she recovers.
***
A few days later
Melina walks downstairs from her room to the kitchen. She recently moved from the infirmary to the room next to Thomas’. She’s almost healed enough that moving around doesn’t bother her back. Melina sits on one of the kitchen stools, holding the glass of orange juice she just poured for herself. Kat enters the kitchen as she places the glass on the counter.
“There you’re,” Kat says, walking toward Melina.
“Here I am,” Melina responds, smiling.
“I have been looking for you everywhere.”
“Really?” Melina inquires, wondering why.
“Yes, I hope you’re not doing anything today.”
“No, I’m not. Do you need me for something?”
“Kind of.”
“What do you need me for?”
“I need you to come with me to the mall.”
“Oh,” Melina wasn’t expecting that.
“I need you to come with me because we are going to get you a dress for the gala on Saturday.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” The Costanzo family will be holding their annual charity gala this Saturday. Melina is not surprised Kat wants her to come, but she doesn’t think she should go to the gala because of Thomas. He might have forgiven her, but the humiliation Melina caused him for what she did is reason enough for him not to invite her to his family event.
“Why would you think so?”
“Because of what happened between Thomas and me.”
“All of that is in the past, dear. Thomas knows the truth now.”
“I know, but not everyone does. He might not want people to know he has forgiven me, so he does not appear weak in front of them.”
“Oh dear, you shouldn’t worry about such. Most people attending the ball don’t know what happened between you two, and even if they do, it’s none of their business if Thomas decides to have you back in his life.”
“Hmm.”
Kat seems sure about her words, but Melina is concerned. She knows Thomas used his business associates to find her. She bets word had spread around the mafia world as to why he was looking for her. Mafia men place a premium on reputation. Melina is well aware that she tarnished Thomas’ reputation by stealing his money. Many people must have labeled him as weak as a result of what happened. Melina doesn’t want to attend the ball and jeopardize their relationship. People who know who she is will gossip about her if they see her that night. That could make Thomas angry again, and Melina doesn’t want that.
“I understand your concerns, but I can assure you that they are unfounded. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Really?” Melina asks, biting her lower lip.
“Yes, Thomas was even the one who asked me to help you get a dress.”
“Really? You aren’t the one who wants me to attend the gala.”
“Of course, I want you to come, dear, but I believe Thomas does more.”
“Wow, I am surprised.”
“You really shouldn’t be. Thomas wants the world to know you’re his again.”
“Hmm, wow.”
“Yes, dear,” Kat says with a smile.
Melina swallows a lump in her throat as she mentally repeats the words ‘His.’ Melina loves how things are between Thomas and her, but she’s not sure if she wants to be his just yet.