AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His hands had curled into fists and a primal part of him welcomed his anger. ‘He didn’t deserve you. You know that, right? You left, you got away.’
‘Eventually. We were at a wedding and when he saw the head bridesmaid his tongue was practically hanging out. I’d turned a blind eye to his flings before, but when he kissed her on the dance floor—in front of his friends and family—I knew I had to get out before he destroyed me completely. I called a taxi, packed my things and went straight to the train station. I didn’t trust myself not to waver if I saw him.’
‘That was very brave.’
‘I was running on adrenaline,’ she admitted. ‘If I’d thought about what I was doing, moving on my own to a city I didn’t know, to a place where I knew no one, I would have just given up.’
But he was shaking his head. ‘You’re stronger than you think, Sophie. When I look at you I don’t see a victim or weakness. I see a survivor. I see resilience. I see strength.’
Warmth flooded through her, not just because of his words but because of the respect she saw in his eyes. ‘It’s been a slow journey, Marco. I don’t feel strong, not all the time. I’ve worked really hard to get to this place. My flat is tiny and horribly overpriced, but I pay the rent for me. It’s my home, my sanctuary. I’ve finally put my designs out in the world. I have friends here, good friends. I’m my own person.’
‘You’d still be your own person if you married me. I wouldn’t stand in your way.’
She would give anything to believe him—but she didn’t. ‘When I told you about the baby you went into decision-making overdrive. We would do this, I would do that, this is how it would be. I know you were thinking of me and the baby, but I can’t live like that, Marco, not again.’
He had paled, his eyes hard. ‘You think I’m like your ex? That I would control you? Put you down?’
‘No, no...’ She reached a hand out to him. ‘You’re nothing like Harry. Your kindness was one of the first things I lo...liked about you. But you do like things your own way. That’s why you moved to London in the first place. You’re used to being in charge and I won’t risk losing myself. I won’t be the peacemaker, the compromiser again. I can’t.’
She needed him to understand, desperately hoped that he did, but his mouth was grim.
‘I understand, Sophie, I really do. But this isn’t just about you, not any more. You might not like it, but my role now is to take care of you and our baby and I won’t let you push me aside. You’ve come a long way, but you need to learn to let go, to trust me not to hurt you.’
She opened her mouth to tell him she did, but she couldn’t say the words. He sighed. ‘There’s a difference between protecting you and controlling you. I have to do the first, but I can promise you I’ll never do the second. I’m here, Sophie, for you and for our baby and I’m not going anywhere. The sooner you accept that, the better. Thanks for the drink. I’ll see myself out.’
She sat frozen as he got to his feet. Two seconds later the door clicked behind him and he was gone. Part of her was relieved he still wanted to be involved, that she wouldn’t have to bring the baby up alone, but his parting words rang in her ears. The sooner you accept that, the better. He was wrong; she wasn’t accepting anything and no man would ever tell her what she could or could not do ever again. ‘Damn you, Marco,’ she whispered as she got wearily to her feet, the cold bone deep inside her. ‘Why didn’t you ask me what I want rather than telling me what you think I need?’
He said he respected her, now she needed him to show it. It was a poor substitute for love, but Sophie suspected it was all she was going to get. The question was, would it be enough?
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
‘ARE YOU SURE you don’t want me to come with you? Hold your hand?’
Sophie smiled, touched at the concern in Ashleigh’s voice. ‘It’s a scan. I don’t think it hurts.’
‘That’s not the point,’ her friend said firmly. ‘It’s a huge moment, and on Valentine’s Day too. You’re going to need someone to hold the tissues.’
‘I’m not dragging you away from Lukas on your first Valentine’s Day. What kind of best friend do you think I am? Besides, it’s different for you loved-up types, but I’ve never made a fuss about the fourteenth of February. It’s just a day.’
Ashleigh’s voice took on the dreamy tinge she always used when talking about Lukas. ‘I think Lukas is planning dinner in Paris from all the not so subtle hints, but we can get a later train. I don’t mind at all.’
