“Yes, sweetheart,” he said, the backs of his fingers stroking my cheek. “I’m so sorry.”
My lips trembled as my heart shattered in my chest. “But...I was going to try and give you a son... Did you tell them that?” Tears streamed down my cheeks. “Michael, you wanted a son...”
“Bianca,” he said, leaning forward and cupping my jaw. Tenderness laced his words as he spoke reverently. “All I ever wanted wasyou. Don’t you understand that?”
Grief for all I’d lost washed over me as I tried not to drown in despair. What Michael couldn’t know was that my miscarriage had been Victor’s fault. Even after his death, he was a source of misery, and I rued the day I’d ever married him.
“I’m so sorry...” I said, my eyes drooping as they grew heavy. “All my fault...”
“Shh,” Michael soothed as I drifted. “None of that matters. Only you matter, stella...”
Darkness claimed me as I silently mourned for all I’d lost.
The next day, I returned home, Michael by my side as I entered the house.
“Your car,” I said weekly as he carried me inside. “I totally forgot about the car—”
“Doesn’t matter,” he said, carrying me up the stairs, my arms secure around his shoulders. “I can buy another car, Bianca.”
“I’ve ruined everything,” I said, burying my face in his neck and trying not to break into tears yet again. I hated unnecessary tears—they never accomplished anything—but the pain meds made me woozy and decreased my ability to control my emotions.
Michael placed me on the bed and sat beside me. Smiling down at me, he stroked my cheek. “I’m going to go get your comfy purple sweatpants and black tank top you like. Are they in your top drawer?”
I nodded, amazed that he’d noticed my favorite loungewear. “How did you know they’re my favorite?”
“Because I like knowing what makes you happy.” He brushed his lips against mine. “Be right back.”
I closed my eyes, wondering how long his supportive attitude would last. After all, I’d totaled his car, disobeyed his request to stay home, led to his men getting injured and killed one of his mortal enemies. If it were Victor, I was sure he would’ve killed me and disposed of me in a place where I’d never be found.
Michael strode back in and helped me remove the scrubs I was wearing before slipping the sweatpants and tank top on.
“Burns is interviewing home nurses, and we’ll have one here tomorrow. For now, I’m going to have to do my best.” His lips curved into a gorgeous smile.
“Why are you being so nice to me?” I whispered. “Victor would’ve killed me.”
Michael sighed and shook his head. “I’m pissed, Bianca, and we’ll talk about that one day when you’re feeling better. The caveman in me wants to chain you to this bed and never let you leave again.”
Leaning closer, he palmed my cheek. “But I almost lost you, and nothing matters more than that. You’re beating yourself up more than I ever could. The one thing I’ve learned about the past is that we can’t change it. I won’t stew in anger over something that’s done. I need you to get healthy so I can accomplish my goal, once and for all.”
“I’m sorry about Simon,” I said, understanding the gravity of my actions. “It’s going to make things much more difficult for you.”
“Yes,” he said with a nod. “But it will also speed things up, and that’s not the worst thing in the world. Men are going to realize they need to make a choice or die. Fear of death is a powerful motivator.”
I lifted my hand to his stubbled jaw, so angry that I’d made his life harder. All he’d done since Victor’s death is protect me, and I’d fucked everything up.
“I can’t give you a son,” I said, my nostrils flaring as I tamped down the emotion in my chest. “I understand if you want a divorce.”
Possession flared in his eyes as his tone turned serious. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that, and I never want to hear the word divorce from your pretty lips again, Bianca. Do you hear me?”
“I don’t want to trap you—”
“We took vows, and I intend to honor them,” he interjected, his tone indicating the subject was closed. “You’re mywife. I don’t want you worrying about anything other than getting better. Can you do that for me?”
I nodded. “Your birthday...”
“The only gift I need is for you to listen to me, woman,” he said, a teasing exasperation in his tone. “Focus on getting better, and then you can defy me all you want.”
“Thank you for forgiving me,” I said, my eyelids growing heavy. “I don’t deserve you.”
