Raf felt physically ill.He felt as though he’d just thrown his body into a shredder, and destroyed parts of himself he hadn’t known existed. He’d done what Elodie deserved, and it had damned near killed him.
But it had been the right decision.
It would have been selfish in the extreme to keep her tied up in a relationship like theirs, purely because he liked being with her, when she wanted so much more in life.
Only, he couldn’t stay in this house with her. Having done what was right once, he needed to give them both breathing room. And so he set about organizing a full team of home staff, from nurses to nutritionists to housekeepers, everyone Elodie could possibly need to ensure she was looked after. Raul would stay with her, and oversee a team of three security agents, to protect her whenever she left the house.
Raf was meeting his obligations, as he was required to. She was his responsibility, and nothing about her choices changed that. If she married Aaron, she would still be Raf’s to protect, to keep safe. She would still be the mother of his children, and nothing could change that.
But even the thought of her walking down the aisle with that prick had his skin flushing hot and cold all over.
So what? Jealousy was normal. They’d been sleeping together for weeks; she was having his babies. Everything was complicated, just like she’d said. It still didn’t mean he could be the person she needed. In fact, he knew he couldn’t be. Elodie wanted love, and maybe even love, from him. He’d never offer that; he had to end this properly.
Though they slept in the same bed—he’d wanted to be there if she needed anything—he was careful, all night, not to so much as touch her. Because he knew that in touching her, something would ignite inside of him, and her, that was medically dangerous and now, emotionally so as well.
He’d set her free, with his words, and tomorrow, he would do so with his actions.
“Good morning.”His tone was crisp and businesslike, when he walked into the room the next morning and swept his gaze over Elodie. “How do you feel?”
She searched for the right words.Crappy, was all she could come up with, but he wasn’t asking about her mental state, so much as the physical health of the baby.
“Like normal,” she lied.
“Good.” He moved to the end of the bed and pressed a hand to the mattress. “I’ve decided to move out.”
The words made no sense. She furrowed her brow. “Of your house?”
“Consider it yours now.”
She shook her head, instantly rejecting that. “This isnotmy house.”
“You don’t have a house,” he pointed out, perhaps not knowing how hurtful that summation would be to her. Shesquared her shoulders and stared down her nose at him, without dignifying his comment with a response.
He possibly didn’t notice, though, because he continued with his obviously prepared announcement. “I’ve spoken to an estate agent. There’s a place around the corner I’ll buy, and in the meantime, I’ll stay at Claridge’s.”
She shook her head. “That’s absurd.”
“I stayed there a few years back, when this place was being done up.”
“That’s not what I mean. Why would you move out? There are more than enough bedrooms here, we don’t have to share, if that’s your problem.”
“It’s just better this way. You were the one who wanted clear lines.”
“And you were the one who insisted we live together!”
“That was before.”
“And what’s changed?”
“We discussed that last night.”
“So you’re saying you’re moving out so I can get married to Aaron?”
For the briefest moment, she thought she saw genuine emotion flicker on his face, something like anger, or jealousy, but it was gone again almost immediately.
“I don’t want to marry Aaron,” she dispelled. “For the same reason I turned down your proposal. We’re not in love, so I really don’t see the point.”
His jaw shifted visibly and silence stretched between them for just long enough for Elodie to wonder if she’d gotten through to him. “I’ve already made the decision,” he responded, finally. “I’ve organized staff, for this house. You will be well cared for. Raul will stay as head of your security; he’ll oversee any trips you might want to make, to ensure you’re well looked after, not in any danger. Naturally, I’ll come to your medical appointments,and if you should need anything, at all, you can always call, any time.”
