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Sylvia froze and waited for Emelia to decide whether or not she should tell her. Part of Sylvia wanted her to but another part was screaming at her to let Eric handle this. But seeing the hurt in Emelia’s eyes, Sylvia knew that she needed to be here for Emelia, no matter what she told her. From the fresh tears in her eyes, it was sure to cause a lot of heartbreak for everyone.
“I was eighteen, and gone looking for Mom after a squabble with Diego. She was arguing with Dad. I didn’t get the first part, but they talked about the past and Dad told Mom how much he’d grown to love her even though they’d married at the bequest of Francesca, my father’s first wife. Mom had sighed and said it hadn’t been a bequest because Francesca had begged them both to marry.” Emelia hiccupped. “They then started talking about another man and how they were both relieved he was no longer a threat because he’d died. It turned out that my father had never slept with my mother until long after she’d given birth to Diego and me. And when I say long after, I mean six years after when they renewed their wedding vows. That was when they had fallen in love. So you see, all this time I’ve been raised as a true daughter to Emiliano, when in fact, I’m no blood relation to him or his own children. I could be with Dante, but even though my heart breaks all the time for him, I have no idea how to tell him the truth without causing trouble in the family. Does this make sense?”
All Sylvia could do was nod at Emelia’s confession. She certainly hadn’t expected that as an explanation, and was lost for words.
“He’s a priest now and I know he loves his church and the people that attend, but I want him to love me—to be with me. I need that with him so badly that being away from him is a physical pain.” Emelia sat up and gripped both of Sylvia’s arms. “Please tell me what to do because I don’t know anymore.”
Sylvia didn’t know either. She really didn’t. It wasn’t a little thing that Emelia knew, it was huge and could tear her family apart.
“Does anyone know? Diego?”
“No.” She shook her head. “I haven’t told anyone. Only you.”
What a burden to carry.
“You haven’t asked your mom about it?”
“I’ve tried so many times but I always chicken out. Part of me is afraid that I misheard what was said, and another part hopes to God that I heard correctly. I will always love Emiliano as my father because he raised me from birth as his own, but I need what I heard to be true because of my feelings for Dante. Does any of this make sense to you?”
Sylvia smiled. “You make perfect sense, and I think we need to tell Eric. He loves you, and trust me, although it will be a shock to him, it will ease his mind over you both.”
“He worries,” she smiled, “I know. I always used to go to Eric when I was small. He would always tell me a story or keep me away from Kasey who used to steal my things to make me mad.”
“Emelia?”
They both turned at the sound of Eric’s voice. He was white and the redness around his eyes told Sylvia he’d heard everything.
Concerned for him, Sylvia moved and wrapped her arms around his waist, wanting to offer comfort.
He didn’t return her embrace and it felt like he put up with her touch rather than accepting it or relishing the warmth that she offered. He stepped away and, without looking at her, said, “Please leave. I need to talk to Emelia.”
His words cut through her like ice. She understood that he was shocked with what he’d obviously overheard, but there was no reason to treat her so badly. She wanted to offer him comfort and be there for him to lean on.
“Sylvia, I won’t ask again. This doesn’t concern you,” Eric snapped. “Leave.”
She hid the hurt that she felt at his sharp words and left. She not only left the sunroom but the house. He’d told her with his words that their feelings hadn’t been mutual. Where she had fallen in love with him. Eric had obviously just taken her along for the ride.
She wouldn’t make the same mistake again.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Eric had needed time alone after he’d spoken to Emelia and questioned her about what she’d overheard because his head felt like it was about to explode.
Instead of heading to his room where he expected Sylvia to be, he’d headed to the hayloft. He’d frozen his balls off all afternoon, but his headache had dimmed and, although his mind worked overtime, he knew it was time to face Sylvia before dinner.
He was sorry for his sharp words to her when all she’d wanted to do was comfort him. He’d just found out something that altered the dynamics of his family. He was shocked and upset, so he’d snapped. She hadn’t deserved to be shoved aside like he’d done. He only hoped that she was in a forgiving mood because he needed her then more than ever.
So it came as a shock when he realized it was later than he thought and he had to wash up before taking his seat at the table, without seeing Sylvia.
Once everyone sat down, there was no seat left for Sylvia. He frowned and realized no one would meet his gaze. “Where is she?”
“On a plane back to Lexington,” his father offered. “I don’t know what happened between you two, but that little lady was heartbroken when I took her to the airport and made sure she got on a flight safely.”
Eric couldn’t think or hear as blood rushed through his head in shock. She left him. She actually packed up her stuff and left. He needed her and she walked away from him. Well, at least he found out how she truly felt before he told her that he loved her. Good riddance.
At least that was what he told himself while Thanksgiving dinner took place around him. He ate, but stayed silent wondering what the fuck was wrong with him that she left. He certainly hadn’t seen that coming.
She obviously wasn’t worth his time if she could so easily walk away from him.
