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“I do know what you mean,” Cass admitted, colouring slightly.
Alyssia’s gaze narrowed a little. “Ben.” She said on a small sigh.
There was no sense denying it. “It’s over.” Cass admitted stoically. “But that same instant connection, I felt it.”
“He isn’t capable of letting himself love, dear girl. I’m sorry to have to tell you, but I wonder if he even realises it himself. He’s been shunned by so many, his spirit is broken. I just hope he hasn’t hurt you.”
Cassandra didn’t meet her stepmother’s gaze. “I’m a big girl. I’ll survive.”
“He’s a good man. Just damaged by his upbringing.”
“As we all are, to some extent.” Cassandra pointed out, but she softened it with a smile for her stepmother. Changing the subject, she observed Alyssia’s wan reflection and said, “Are you okay? You don’t look well at all.”
Now it was Alyssia’s turn to look away. “Your father and I wanted to tell you together...”
“But he’s probably been distracted by a bowl of fudge ice cream in the hotel restaurant,” Cass joked teasingly.
“Yes. Exactly.” She sighed. “I can’t beat around the bush with something like this. I’m pregnant, Cassandra.”
“Pregnant!” Cassandra jumped out of her chair and threw her arms around a startled Alyssia. “Why, that’s wonderful news! I’m so thrilled for you.”
“You are?” Alyssia didn’t even try to hide her surprise at Cassandra’s genuinely thrilled reaction.
“Of course I am. Please don’t mistake the way I acted as a teenager with the person I am today. I want only the best for you and dad. I can see how happy you make him. I am really very happy that you’ll have a baby all of your own.”
“It was not planned,” she drawled. “I never wanted children. I don’t think I’m
maternal.”
“You are, of course you are. You’ll feel all the moreso when you have a dear little bundle to clutch in your arms. Oh, Alyssia, it’s just fantastic.” As she thought about the wonderful news, out of nowhere, she realised that her own cycle was late. She’d been so caught up with her father’s visit and all that it had entailed that she hadn’t noticed immediately. The kernel of doubt pressed into a fully fledged belief that she too, might have a tiny baby inside of her belly.
Peter entered the room at that point, and the three of them toasted the news together with the best sparkling mineral water the hotel had to offer.
Just as soon as she could politely make her escape, Cassandra, in four inch spike heels, ran back to Benedict’s, and by the time she arrived, she just knew that she was pregnant. Everything made sense. She’d been exhausted for days, emotional, queasy, and her breasts had been super sensitive. All of these things had been easy to confuse, given the way Benedict made her feel.
She had to see him. Nothing besides this little life mattered. Would he be pleased? She hoped so. She was.
There was no sign of Frank when she crossed the lobby. In his place was a young man, unmistakably Australian with freckly tanned skin, white blonde hair and a beaming smile for her.
“Can I help you, ma’am?” He asked as she clip-clopped across the tiled foyer.
“I’m in the penthouse.”
“Cassandra?” He asked, rifling through his desk drawers.
She paused, and something unfurled in her gut. Some sixth sense that told her something was amiss. “Mister Savarin asked me to give you this.”
He handed her an envelope. White, small, with her name written in Ben’s tightly looped writing. She ripped it open right there, not caring that this young security guy was watching with unconcealed interest.
Cassandra, I had to leave sooner that intended. I regret that we did not get to say a final goodbye.
She read the note again and again, and then shook her head. “No.” She murmured, forcing legs that felt like jelly to move her to the lifts.
For once, they opened as soon as she pushed the button and she rode all the way to the penthouse, staring at the handwritten note. So decisive. So formal.
He was gone all right. When Cassandra pushed into the penthouse and ran from room to room, she saw that all of his personal effects had been removed. His wardrobe was empty. His office, too.
She fell to her knees on a sob. How could he do this? How could he leave her? Without the dignity of a goodbye?
