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‘What Dr Sellers said about blame…’
‘You need to rest, Catherine.’ A pounding on the front door was all the excuse Rico needed to walk out, but Catherine called him back.
‘Rico, I need you here with me. Surely one of the staff can get the door…?’
‘There are no staff.’ Rico’s voice was void of expression, and she’d have preferred the familiar fiery man than the empty shell that stared back at her. ‘Apart from Jessica, I gave them the weekend off; we were attempting “normal” this weekend, remember?’
He didn’t slam the door, but still she jumped when he closed it, listening to his footsteps on the stairs. The low, angry voices barely registered as she lay staring at the ceiling, hardly blinking when the bedroom door opened and Rico and Antonia stepped inside.
‘Antonia says this can’t wait.’ Rico’s voice was clipped. ‘I explained you weren’t feeling well, but she was insistent.’
‘I’m sorry.’ Antonia stood awkwardly at the edge of the bed. ‘I thought Rico was making excuses when he said you were unwell, but clearly…’ Her voice trailed off and she turned to go, but then changed her mind. ‘I’m sorry for intruding. I had no idea Catherine was pregnant—no idea this was anything other than a marriage for appearances’ sake. It would seem I misjudged you both.’ Her hand reached out and she patted Catherine tenderly on the arm. ‘I’m sorry to hear about your baby, Catherine.’ Her eyes drifted uncomfortably to her stepson. ‘I’m sorry for your loss too, Rico. I know it might seem hard to believe, but I do understand what you’re going through.’
The look Rico gave her clearly indicated he assumed Antonia had absolutely no idea, but a wistful note in her voice stirred something within Catherine. ‘You lost a baby too?’
Antonia nodded slowly. ‘I lost four,’ she replied slowly, fiddling awkwardly with her earrings as Catherine stared back. ‘And each time I was told not to worry, that there were years ahead for me to have children, that this was just nature’s way…’ Her voice wavered for a moment before continuing. ‘And I know how empty those words sound at the time, so I won’t waste your time with them.’
‘There was something you wanted to say?’ Catherine offered as Antonia turned to leave.
‘I’ll come back in a few days,’ Antonia replied. ‘When you’re feeling a bit better.’
‘I’m fine.’ Pulling herself up on the pillows, Catherine forced a brave smile. ‘It really was very early days—I’m probably being a bit precious, lying here. If I hadn’t known I was pregnant I would have just assumed it was…’
‘It’s not the physical pain, though, is it?’ Antonia said wisely, and not for the first time Catherine found herself warming to her; not for the first time the enemy didn’t seem quite so unapproachable.
‘I’ll leave you two to it,’ Rico said uncomfortably, but Antonia called him back.
‘You should stay, Rico. What I have to say affects you both.’
Still she stood stiff and awkward, but there was a dignity about her as she spoke, and Catherine listened with both interest and admiration as Antonia addressed her stepson.
‘I was wrong to expect you to accept me all those years ago, Rico. I hurt your mother, and you had every right to hate me, but in my defence all I can say is that I did love your father very much. I still do.’ Her words were soft and emotive but Rico stood unmoved.
‘So money had nothing to do with it?’ he asked mockingly, but surprisingly Antonia nodded.
‘I liked the money too, Rico. I admit that. I also admit that I was wrong to accuse you of underselling the business. You gave your father and Marco a more than generous price. They weren’t prepared to work and, as lucrative as the company was under your mother, it only really turned into the empire it now is once you took it over.’
‘I know all that,’ Rico said rudely. ‘So why are you really here, Antonia? Why the supposed olive branch?’
‘Rico!’ Catherine broke in, appalled at his rudeness. ‘At least hear what Antonia has to say! I’m sorry,’ she said, flustered, turning to the older woman, but Rico hadn’t finished yet.
‘Don’t apologise on my behalf, Catherine.’ His eyes turned to his stepmother. ‘I don’t know what your agenda is this time, Antonia, and I don’t know what your motives are for coming here. If I appear rude then so be it; I make no apology. I can take what you did to me, Antonia, but it’s the hurt you’ve caused those closest to me I cannot accept, and I will not let you do it again. So I’m warning you, if you’re going to say anything to upset my wife, now really isn’t the time. I swear to God if you upset her tonight, when we’ve just lost our child, you’ll never set foot in this house again and I’ll do whatever I have to do to ensure you have no further contact with Lily.’
‘I have no intention of upsetting Catherine.’ Antonia stood resolute, but as she spoke her voice wavered, those well-made-up eyes brimming with te
ars that could never be manufactured. ‘And as for Lily—I’ve instructed our solicitor to withdraw our application for custody.’
Someone gasped, and it took a moment for Catherine to realise it had been her. Her eyes darted to Rico, trying to read his expression, but he stood tense and silent, his jaw firmly set as Antonia tentatively continued.
‘Carlos and I have spoken at length and we realise that Lily deserves more than two retirees can give her. As much as we love her, as much as we want to be there for her—well, with the best will in the world we’re in our sixties…’
‘So why the sudden change of heart?’ Rico’s voice told Catherine he remained unconvinced, eternally suspicious. Antonia’s tears wouldn’t move him an inch. ‘You haven’t aged a decade in the last few weeks. What made you suddenly decide to give it all away?’
‘You did, Rico.’ Antonia looked across at her stepson. ‘You and Catherine have turned your worlds upside down to provide a home for Lily. Look, I admit that until now I thought this was nothing more than a marriage of convenience, nothing more than a sham to win round the judges…’
‘And even then you were prepared to walk away?’ A muscle was pounding in Rico’s cheek and it seemed to match Catherine’s own heart-rate as Antonia blindly continued.
‘Even then.’ Antonia nodded softly. ‘It hit me how much you must love Lily, Rico. That you would give up your own chance of happiness, live in a loveless marriage to ensure your niece’s future; you too, Catherine.’ She turned and smiled, not noticing Catherine’s face paling on the pillow, her hands clenched by her sides as the nails hammered deeper into the coffin. ‘I know I couldn’t do it.’
