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“I’m sorry, Papa, and meant no disrespect. I hope this hasn’t distressed you too much. The fact is, neither of you needs to be concerned. Earlier tonight Nico and I ended our relationship.”
When he did come over to the pediatric ward to look in on a patient, he wouldn’t find her there. She’d leave fifteen minutes early every evening to escape.
“Mia figlia—” Her father eyed her soulfully. “Why is it you continue to refuse the suitable men who’ve wanted to get to know you? All your mother and I want is your ultimate happiness. Prince Cesare is very anxious to spend time with you.”
Fausta slowly got to her feet. “I know that, but I have to be attracted, Papa.”
“Darling,” her mother spoke up. “If you’ll give some of them the opportunity to be with you, I know you’ll meet one who will steal your heart.”
If only her parents knew. Tonight her heart had already been ripped out of her body...
Right now, she was in such agony, she was desperate to be alone. “If you don’t mind, I have a headache and need to get to bed.” I need to phone Aunt Ottavia and get away from here. “Please forgive me.”
Her father stood up first and gave her another hug. “Don’t be upset with me, dolcezza.”
“I’m not, Papa. You need to know I never want to hurt you or Mamma.” She kissed him and her mother before walking them to the door. “See you tomorrow. Buona notte.”
The second they left, Fausta ran to her bedroom and reached for her cell phone. Her whole body was shaking. Thankfully her aunt answered.
“Fausta, darling—how wonderful you’re calling me!”
“I hope you’ll still think it’s wonderful when I ask if I can come tomorrow and stay with you for a few days.”
“Nothing would make me happier! I can tell something’s wrong, but I won’t ask right now. You can tell me after you get here.”
Tears had started to gush down her cheeks. “You’re a lifesaver, Zia. I’ll let you know my arrival time as soon I’ve made arrangements.” She had to let the hospital know she wouldn’t be able to volunteer her services for the next week. Something unavoidable had come up. “Love you.”
“Love you, cara.”
Fausta hung up and threw herself across the bed, utterly gutted by what Nico had told her. To never know his love because he felt he had to take his journey through life alone? It would surprise her if she were still alive by morning, let alone physically able to fly far away from the man who’d changed her world forever.
* * *
Late Monday afternoon a fragmented Nico had just dealt with his last patient when his cell phone rang. It wouldn’t be Fausta. He’d made certain of that by the brutal way he’d broken off with her. Though ending their relationship had been the only fair thing to do, he’d been in agony since driving her back to the palace on Friday night. Another minute in his apartment and he would have taken her to bed.
Nico was aching for Fausta and didn’t dare be around her now. Otherwise that whole speech he’d made that they couldn’t be together anymore would have been for nothing. Aware she was his weakness, he’d promised himself that if he had a patient admitted to the hospital today, he would ask Dr. Silvio from the medical group to make the rounds.
He glanced at the caller ID and frowned. It was the duca. Something had to be wrong for him to phone this soon after the last visit to Biella.
“Enzo?” he blurted after clicking on.
“I’m glad you answered, mio ragazzo. Since I know you’re busy, I’ll make this fast. Can you come to the castello tomorrow? I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t of the most vital importance.”
Nico’s hand tightened on his cell in reaction. “Did Pippa fall again, or are you having trouble breathing? Tell me the truth.”
“Calm yourself. It’s nothing medical, but we must talk.”
Maybe this call had to do with the fact that Enzo had been chatting with his friend Prince Lorenzo. By now the king knew about Nico and Fausta. Enzo could be warning him there was trouble ahead. That made the most sense, but after Friday night, Nico had already taken care of the problem and was one step ahead of him.
“Enzo—why don’t you just tell me what’s on your mind right now?”
“No, no. I have to see you in person.” Why? Nico didn’t understand. “Can you get someone to cover for you for the day?”
His brows lifted in reaction. Enzo was being surprisingly mysterious and insistent. “Yes, of course.” After all the older man had done for him over the years, he could never turn him down. “I’ll come first thing in the morning.”
“Grazie, Nicolo.”
The click sounded before Nico could even say goodbye.
