And if I know Rosa Marchesi at all, she’ll like having a grandchild far more than she’d like buying our house and the shop.
Is it madness? Yes. Completely.
Do I feel ready to be a mother? God, no. Definitely not.
Children were part of my very long-term plans—the kind of plans so distant they felt more like dreams—and in the blink of an eye, the moment arrived. There’s a baby inside me, growing, six weeks along. My hands go to my stomach instinctively.
It’s terrifying, but it’s not tragic, I tell myself.
My gaze drifts over the sea. It’s like diving into Nero’s eyes. I try to keep him out of my thoughts and desires, but I fail almost immediately.
He promised he wasn’t going anywhere.
I cling to that certainty with everything I have while my mind rebels, projecting a hundred different scenarios and wishes—and in every single one of them, Nero is just as central as I am.
My phone rings in my pocket, and I pull it out only to feel like crying again, because it’s Nero on the line. I let it go to voicemail.He calls again, and I don’t answer either, but the third time I know that if I don’t pick up, he’ll worry. So I fill my lungs with air, trying to occupy the empty space where courage should be, and accept the call.
“Love?” he says, already sounding concerned. His voice saying that single word sends small, soothing sparks through my body, and even knowing it’s a mistake to cling to that feeling, I do.
“Hi. Sorry—I lost my phone in my bag earlier.”
“Are you okay? Did you sort out the visa?” His concern tightens my chest. The visa. I almost laugh in despair. The completely useless visa now.
“I did. I’m on my way home.”
“Good. That’s great. Dinner with me?” he asks, and I glance at my watch, completely detached from the time of day. It’s already past five in the afternoon. “I’m stuck at the office, but I can order from that restaurant you like.”
“Okay,” I agree, deciding to rip the bandage off all at once. “We need to talk, Nero.”
The line goes quiet while he processes my words.
“Nothing good is ever introduced after those words,Little Fae,” he says with certainty. It hurts, because it touches a fear I hadn’t yet allowed myself to voice. What if Nero really thinks this is bad? We didn’t plan this—but we knew it was a risk, and we gave in to desire anyway. I squeeze my eyes shut and clenchmy teeth. When I don’t speak, Nero talks again. “What’s going on?”
“I’d rather have this conversation in person, Nero.”
“Love—” he starts, but I cut him off.
“I’m coming. In two hours at most, I’ll be there.”
“Two hours is too long. I’ll come get you at the station.”
“You just said you’re stuck—you don’t have to. I’ll take a taxi. And I’d rather have this conversation somewhere private.”
“You’re worrying the hell out of me, Nina.”
“I’m coming.”
It’s all I can say, unable to reassure him, because I have no idea what to expect beyond the unavoidable revelation of the truth.
CHAPTER 35
NERO ZANTHOS
I keep tapping my foot against the cobblestones. Behind me, the Export Company’s administrative building could be on fire and I wouldn’t care—not until Nina’s damn taxi pulls up.
I should’ve insisted on picking her up at the station. That would’ve been far more efficient. I haven’t been able to focus on anything except the wild speculation running through my head since we hung up. Work simply wasn’t an option.
Not when her voice kept replaying in my thoughts, echoing endlessly.We need to talk.Famous last words.
