Chapter 29: Chosen By A Sinner: Chapter 28

I’m gentle with Mariya as I lean her back against the pillows. Framing her face, I stare deep into her eyes as my thumbs brush the tears away. “You’re my every breath. Every fucking beat of my heart is for you.”

The relief on her face fills me with regret for not telling her sooner how I felt.

I’ll never make that mistake again. From now on, there will be no secrets between us.

Mariya composes herself, then scowls at me. “If I weren’t lying in a hospital bed, I’d kick your ass.”

A grin forms around my mouth. “You can beat me up once you’re better.”

She slaps my shoulder lightly. Shaking her head, she lets out a soft chuckle. “We’re such dumbasses.”

“I’m not going to disagree.”

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” she asks, her gaze filled with her love for me.

The line between us has been erased, and I can’t express how good it feels to be honest with her.

“I wanted to build my empire so I could give you the world.”

Her eyebrows draw together. “I only ever wanted you.”

“I didn’t know,” I admit. “You were damn good at letting me think you were indifferent toward me.”

“You’re one to talk,” she mutters. “You always made me feel like I wasn’t worth your time.”

I shake my head. “I’m sorry, amore mio.”

“What does that mean?”

“My love.”

A smile warms her face. “I have to learn the language.”

“We’ll have plenty of time while you recover.”

We’re wrapped in an intimate bubble, and I’m so fucking thankful I got the chance to tell her how I feel.

“No more secrets,” I whisper as I lean closer.

“Okay.”

I press my mouth to hers, and when she lets me in, I kiss her with everything I feel for her. I give her every emotion I’ve experienced the past week.

The fear I had when she was taken, the gutting heartache because she got hurt, and the absolute relief of coming clean with her.

I adore her with my tongue, my lips, my teeth, the kiss deep and filled with the intensity of our love.

“Parents in the room,” Uncle Alexei mutters.

I pull away, a broad smile forming on my face as I look at my in-laws.

Aunt Bella glances from me to Mariya, then relief softens her features. She walks to the side of the bed and brushes her hand over Mariya’s forehead. “See, I told you not to worry.”

Mariya looks so much better with her cheeks flushed.

I move away from the bed so her parents can greet her, but Uncle Alexei comes to stand next to me. He pats me on my back and whispers, “Thank you.”

We only got to bask in our love for a couple of hours.

Then the nurse announced it was time for everyone to leave. I got to stay, seeing as I’m Mariya’s husband.

“Once Mrs. Cotroni is released from the hospital, you’ll have to assist her whenever she needs the bathroom.”

Mariya’s eyes widen. It’s only for a moment. “I can go to the bathroom by myself.”

The nurse shakes her head. “Your injured leg and hand will make that near impossible. You’ll need help.”

The woman pulls out a bedpan which has Mariya shaking her head. “Hell no. You bring that thing near me, and we’re going to have a problem. I can get up.”

“You have tubes draining the blood from your leg and a catheter,” the nurse states. “When you need to move your bowels, you’ll have to use the bedpan.” She gives Mariya a comforting smile. “We’ll be discreet as possible.”

Mariya’s eyes flare with panic, and it has me stepping closer and taking hold of her left hand, but she pulls away.

“Leave the room,” she whispers, her voice tight.

“Baby –”

“Both of you! Leave!” she raises her voice.

“I’ll give you a moment,” the nurse murmurs.

When we’re alone, Mariya won’t look at me, and she shoves the pan off the bed with her injured hand. Pain darkens her eyes, her features tense, and her breaths shallow.

“Leave,” she groans.

“No.” I sit down and brace my hand on the pillow next to her head. Taking hold of her chin, I force her to look at me. “I’m not going anywhere. I will be here beside you every step of the way.”

She tries to yank her face away, which has me framing her cheeks with both my hands to keep her in place.

Shame fills her eyes, her eyebrows drawing together. “I can’t…” She lets out a soft sob. “It’s degrading.”

I press a tender kiss to her quivering lips. “I love your stubborn pride, and I know it’s going to be hard, but let me help you. This is what we vowed, Mariya. Through sickness and health.”

“No,” she whimpers. “I’m not letting anyone wipe my ass, especially not you.” She closes her eyes, refusing to meet mine. “I want my mom.”

As much as I want to push the subject, it’s not about me. “I’ll call her.”

I pull back and dial Aunt Bella’s number.

As soon as she answers, she asks, “Did something happen?”

“Mariya wants you to come to the hospital.” I walk away so Mariya won’t hear the conversation. “The subject of bowel movements was brought up, and she’s not handling it well.”

“I’m on my way.”

We end the call, and I walk back to the bed. “She’ll be here any minute.”

Mariya just nods, her left hand fisted in the sheets.

I sit down in the chair and cover her hand with mine. “I want to take care of you, amore mio. In every way possible.”

She turns her face away from me. “No.”

“I love you.”

Her head snaps back to me, anger brimming in her eyes. “Yeah, until you have to clean my ass. That’s the quickest way to kill the romance.”

When I start to say something, she shakes her head and gives me a pleading look. “Please, Luca. Don’t even talk about it. This is killing me.”

I get up and press a kiss on her forehead. “I’ll do anything for you, but I’m not going to let you suffer through this alone. I meant it when I said I’m here every step of the way.”

Aunt Bella comes rushing into the room with the nurse right behind her.

Letting out a sigh, I kiss Mariya again. “Ti amo tanto.”

Leaving the room is not an easy thing to do. Every fiber of my being wants to help Mariya through this, but I know it will only upset her more if I stay.

Stepping into the hallway, I lean against the wall and close my eyes.

I get a feeling the physical healing will be the least of our problems. It’s the humiliation Mariya will have to suffer when she has to depend on someone to help her that’s going to be fucking hard.

I understand why, though.

Still, I’m determined to stand by her side every step of the way, and no matter how many times I have to clean her, it won’t change my love for her.