Blossom in Winter (Blossom in Winter #1)(129)

He drops his stare, trying to find the right words, but there are none. “I know.” He sniffles. “I found the ultrasound in your purse.” He closes his eyes, trying to contain the tears already wetting his cheeks. “Will you ever be able to forgive me?”

I don’t reply immediately. I look at him again; I’ve never seen him so dejected. I want to reassure him, but instead, to my biggest surprise, I give him the answer that comes from my heart. “I don’t know,” I confess sincerely.

His eyes lock with mine. “Do you still love me?”

I chuckle. “So much. And you?”

“I never stopped loving you, Ms. Van Gatt.” He shuts his eyes and kisses my hand. “Never.”

I caress his stubble, looking at him tenderly. Then I let out a sigh and ponder for a moment. “May I ask you something?”

“Anything, Petra.”

Before I do, I observe him attentively. He looks miserable and tired. His face seems older, with wrinkles I’ve never seen before. I can see how his countenance has changed too. It’s now so melancholic, so gloomy…

Nevertheless, I hold his hand tight, look straight into his piercing blue eyes, and, determined to give him a second chance, I proudly ask, “Alexander Van Dieren, will you marry me?”