"I've been so unfair to you, Sam," she continued, her voice barely above a whisper now. "But I promise, from now on, it'll be just you. Just you and me. I'm done with living in the past. I want to move on, truly move on from James. I want to love you—you, Sam. The man you are. Not someone I'm holding on to because of someone else's face. I want you to give me a chance. A real chance to love you, just as you are. No more pretending, no more comparisons."
Her eyes locked onto his, searching for any sign that he was truly listening, that he could forgive her. "I've made up my mind," she said, her voice steadier now, filled with resolve. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you—just you. As the Samuel—the Sam—I know."
