I hadn't meant to add to his burden, especially when he was already feeling unwell after protecting Pembroke from Aric Stormheart and Vanessa Covington. I was just being honest about the situation because the way I see it, it was next to impossible that I could cancel the wedding arrangement with someone else.
"I'm sorry, Luke. I didn't mean to bring that up," I apologized.
“Is it really impossible to go back to the way we used to? Can’t you just love me like you used to?” he implored and there was a hint of desperation in his voice.

“Luke, I already gave my word to them. I promised to honor the arrangement and it’s not something I can cancel anytime,” I reasoned.
“But you didn’t hesitate when you rejected Aric before!” he pointed out.
“It was…it was different,” I stammered because I didn’t want to recall the events prior to the rejection. If only he was aware of the truth, then maybe, he would understand why I had to do that.
“What makes it different, Isabella? I am begging you, please, let me love you again,” he begged, and when I saw tears forming in the corner of his eyes, I panicked. I didn’t want to see him cry because it would surely influence my resolve.
“Don’t you dare let those tears fall from your eyes, Luke Skywalker!” I warned him, but I was too late.
"I need you, Isabella," he pleaded, his voice shaky with emotion. "Please, love me again."

His tears broke my heart, and I didn't know what to say. I reached out to him, wiping away his tears gently, feeling overwhelmed by his pain. What should I do? I didn’t want to see him crying. So, I ended up crying with him.
"Luke," I whispered softly. “I am also hurting right now but this is the best we can do at the moment. Don’t worry, I will still be here if you need someone to talk to.”
I tried talking some sense into him but he wouldn't give up. He kept asking, begging for another chance, promising to make things right. As he kept talking, I was almost convinced to give him another chance, but then, I realized that we would just end up hurting in the end.
"Please, Isabella," he begged, "I'll do anything. Just give me another chance."

At that moment, I realized how much he loved me, and it made me pause. Maybe I still cared for him too, more than I wanted to admit. Then, I took a deep breath before telling him how I truly felt about the situation.
“If you want to go back to the way we were before, I suggest we start as friends. We used to be friends, Luke.”
“No, we weren’t friends,” he said. “I persuaded your Dad to let me work here just to get close to you. I have always liked you!”
“Alright, but can we just take it slow?”
“I don’t like us to be just friends,” he complained.
“Mmmm, how about friends with benefits? BFF Premium?” I proposed and he frowned.
“BFF Premium? What’s that, Isabella?”
“We are just friends but we can act like lovers if necessary,” I explained.
“That’s bullshit! No, I don’t like it. How could you cheapen yourself into friends with benefits?”
“Then, if you don’t want it, then we can just be friends, Luke,” I insisted and he groaned in frustration. “So going back to the money, where should I send it back to? I was just joking about the entrance fee. And, um, regarding everything else... I've decided to go along with my Dad's plan for me. It means... It means we can't be together anymore. Do you get my drift, Luke?”
“You really want me to die,” he mumbled.
I groaned in frustration when he chose to be stubborn about the situation. So, I gave him an ultimatum. “It’s up to you, Luke. Either you take it, or leave it,” I told him while referring to my proposal that we could be friends with benefits.
“Is that really your final decision? How long should I wait? I still want you to become my wife, Isabella,” he said.
“How about two years?”
“Two years?”
“Yes. In two years, you would be able to stabilize Lancaster. For now, you have to focus on regaining your health. Are you sure you don’t need my help? I can help you heal faster, Luke.”
“No. I want to do it the natural way. Besides, I want to maximize the time I am with you.”
“Then, it’s settled,” I said.
“Okay. As long as we can be together, I think I will just compromise,” he said in a barely audible voice.
“Yes. But for now Luke, please focus on your health. Don’t worry though, as promised, I will always be with you. Besides, Dad wouldn’t complain if I am you all the time. He was so grateful for your help.”
“Should I just talk to your Dad about us? Perhaps, if I should ask him for your hand, maybe he would agree.”
“And will you be able to handle the consequences later on? You may have my body, but not my heart,” I warned him, and he looked at me in disbelief.
“I am tired,” he declared all of a sudden, so I nodded in response.
I stayed beside him while he slept, and when he woke up in the morning, his food was ready. Throughout the time he was recuperating, I acted as his personal nurse, and in no time at all, I witnessed how he slowly regained his strength.
“Thank you so much, Isabella.”
“Small things,” I replied.
“I know. It’s because you love me so much,” he claimed and for a moment I stared at him before slapping his arm. “I think you don’t need my tender loving care now. You are now back to your normal self, Luke. Conceited and stubborn,” I mentioned, but instead of taking offense, he laughed.