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It really had been a last-minute decision.
Abby had arrived home and opened up her case and had seen the gorgeous silver dress that she had worn on the night they had won in Dubai.
Why not? Abby had thought.
She had pinned up her hair to show off the necklace to full effect and had just decided to play the game for one night.
No, she had long ago realised her family would never be close but surely an occasional function or get-together was doable.
Now the car that her father had sent for her pulled up at the house that had never really been a happy home and the door was opened for her.
It had been years since Abby had last been here.
Emails and the occasional phone call had been all she could manage since that terrible time, sitting in her father’s study and being told Hunter wouldn’t be called to answer for his actions.
She was ready to put it all behind her and, nine years on, Abby felt a lot more together and capable than the last time she had walked up the stairs to the entrance of her family home.
‘Abby!’ Cries went up from everywhere as she entered.
‘Congratulations’ were offered from all directions, as well as, ‘Wow, look at you!’
‘Abby!’ Her sister, Annabel, came over and gave Abby a kiss on the cheek but it felt like a sting. ‘You changed your mind about coming?’
‘I did.’
‘The prodigal daughter returns triumphant!’
Abby could have given a bitchy retort. She guessed Annabel thought she was only here to gloat because her team had won but, no, it had nothing to do with that.
‘Just try and behave tonight,’ Annabel said. ‘This is important for Daddy.’
Annabel’s husband came over and gave Abby a very guarded smile. ‘Abby.’
Aside from that frosty greeting the night went well. Her father was too busy chatting people up to pay Abby much attention, which suited her fine.
Abby’s phone buzzed and she saw that it was Matteo texting her.
I’m on my way.
She fired a text back.
No rush.
And then Matteo sent another.
Abby, we need to talk.
Abby frowned at the second text and then wondered if Matteo was doing one of his I don’t do relationships things, and was maybe annoyed that she’d asked him to come. She decided she would explain when he arrived that this really wasn’t a meet-the-father moment.
She was soon distracted when one of her father’s friends called her over and asked about the race in Dubai.
‘It was amazing,’ Abby said for perhaps the fiftieth time that night but she was more than happy to talk about it. Realising that Matteo would be here soon she went upstairs and took a moment to refresh her make-up and check her hair and then stepped back and looked in the full-length mirror.
Yes, the necklace and dress worked but it was the woman wearing them who felt so different tonight.
She remembered coming down in the elevator and the smile on Matteo’s face when he saw her and the wonderful times they had shared and
she simply couldn’t wait to see him again.
