He pressed my hand against his cheek, gazing at me with something close to reverence.
I didn't know how to tell him I wasn't Lucy.
I was his wife. Rachel.
And I had no idea how to face the fact that he had truly fallen in love with Lucy Simmons.
When I didn't respond, panic flickered across his face, and he started apologizing.
"I'm sorry, Lucy. I was wrong before. I'd already fallen for you but I was too afraid to admit it."
"I swear, from now on, I'll love you with everything I have. Okay?"
Those words were identical to the ones he'd said when he proposed to me.
Back then, I'd clung to his arm, laughing, teasing him:
"Then it's a deal! If you ever have a change of heart, I won't forgive you even after I'm dead!"
And now, that moment had actually come.
All I could do was dig my nails into my palms, swallow my tears, and force the words out.
"But I'm not Lu—"
Before I could finish, someone burst through the door.
"Mom! You're finally awake!"
My whole body went rigid.
I watched as my son's small frame crashed into me, his eyes swollen and red from crying.
His warmth seeped through me, and the sheer force of the joy was so overwhelming that my voice shook.
"What... what did you call me?"