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My voice is slightly harsh. “I saw the birth control pills when I was going through her belongings after her death. We were talking about adopting. I was, at least. She didn’t want to adopt. And when I learned about the accident and came back, I didn’t recognize the man she had planned to run off with.”
It’s like I’m back at the hospital, staring at the face of a dead stranger whom I’ve never seen before in my life.
“They told me he was her childhood friend, a sweetheart. My friend, her cousin, was devastated. He swore he had no idea, but her family did. It was her sister who told me, finally. I had just discovered the handwritten letters, incredibly old-fashioned, romantic. There was a letter from Nyla for me in my study at home. A few quick lines, hastily written, saying she was sorry, but I couldn’t give her what she wanted.”
Lana appears devastated. When she runs her hand over my jaw, I smile tightly. “There was no prenup. I never signed one. She had been hurt when my lawyer suggested it. I would have given up my whole fortune for her if she had just asked.”
The grief in my voice is palpable. Lana cups my face, then kisses me. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry you had to go thr
ough that.”
“I got over it, Lana. Two years. I tried drinking, sleeping around, anything and everything. My feelings for her had been part of some lie, so they shattered, but it the betrayal still hurt. And when I came here, I was better. I had sworn to never let another woman into my life. And just as I was making good on that promise, you just barged in and threw open the door.” I sigh. “What am I supposed to do with you?”
Lana gives a helpless shrug. “If it makes you feel any better, I don’t know what to do with you, either. I don’t do relationships. Yet, now it seems I’ve walked into one and I don’t want to get out of it.”
I nuzzle her cheek, exasperated and affectionate. “We’re in a lot of trouble.”
She exhales in agreement, reaching out to kiss me.
* * *
“Mr. Thornton!”
I’m walking into the building when I hear Elise calling my name. “Mr. Thornton!”
She’s waving a piece of paper toward me, so I change direction. “Yeah?”
She seems worried, and I frown. “Are you okay? The baby?”
She waves off my concerns. “I’m fine. The baby’s fine. It’s something else.”
I took a late lunch, so the lobby is empty, hence no reason for Elise to lower her voice. “There was a man here, looking for Miss Hill.”
My spine straightens. “Who?”
She shakes her head. “I didn’t recognize him. He looked upset. When I asked for his name, he refused to give it.”
“Could it be one of her brothers?”
She shakes her head. “He looked older than her, but I don’t know. He asked me if she had changed apartments, although why he would ask me that makes no sense. I wasn’t going to say anything, but Mr. Warte was passing by and he made some comment about Lana sleeping with you. I told him not to lie!”
My expression makes her hesitate. “Wait, is that true?”
When I glare at her, Elise blinks, hastily saying, “Not that it’s any of my business. Anyway, the man got incredibly angry. He asked for your name. Mr. Warte gave it, so now I’m worried about Lana because she hasn’t returned from her lunch break and she’s not answering her cell.”
“She’s with Lucas,” I say automatically. “They have some paperwork to deal with. I’ll tell him to keep an eye on her. Thank you for telling me, Elise.”
Elise bites her lower lip before hesitantly saying, “Lana’s really great, you know.”
My lips curve. “I know.”
“She’s wonderful and kind to everyone, even the ones who talk crap about her.” She appears to be she’s leading up to something, so I wait. “You’re not going to hurt her, right?”
“That’s hardly any of your business, Elise,” I say stiffly. Her face turns red, but she stands her ground.
“Friends look out for each other, and I like to think Lana is my friend.”
It takes a lot of courage to do what she’s doing, and I relent. “I would never hurt Lana. I respect her far too much.”
