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I don’t think she’s there inside me anymore, but I still don’t know who and what Bianca is. I refuse dinner, much to Francine’s disgust, and lie curled in the fetal position in the middle of my huge bed for most of the night, wondering if Rio will visit me.
Praying he won’t, because I don’t have the emotional strength to deal with his all-encompassing presence right now.
Devastated when he doesn’t. Because every atom of my body craves him, every waking moment. Where is he? Why has he not come to my bed the way he has most nights in recent weeks? Has he found someone else, now that he doesn’t need me to sign over my family’s business?
God, I’m a mess. I’m a goddamn fucking emotional wreck.
Sometime near dawn, I finally drop off to sleep, only to wake with a jerk a few hours later as a sudden realization strikes.
I sit bolt upright, clutching at my belly. I am three weeks overdue for my cycle.
Blood drains from my cheeks, and I feel as if I’m about to pass out. I stagger to the bathroom and splash cool water onto my face before staring at my reflection in the huge, gilt-edged mirror above the sink.
Shocked eyes stare back at me. I may be carrying Rio’s child.
Francine chooses that inopportune moment to knock and enter my suite. I hear her bustling around in the lounge area, opening the balcony doors to let in the morning breeze as she does every day if the weather is nice. She hums a little, the clink of crockery and cutlery indicating she’s setting up my breakfast at the table near the window.
She sounds happier than usual. I wonder what has prompted that. It can’t be anything related to me. I curve my hand protectively around my stomach. She doesn’t know that life as we all know it may be about to change forever.
I take an extra minute or two to dry my face before heading out to greet her. She will no doubt force me to eat, given I skipped dinner last night, and the knowledge sends a fresh wave of nausea through my system.
No wonder I’ve had bouts of feeling unwell lately, if I truly am pregnant. I had put my lack of hunger down to anxiety, but now…
I can’t process the idea that I may actually be carrying Rio’s child. It will change everything if I am.
I’m going to have to get a test done, somehow, without anyone else finding out.
I take a couple of deep breaths, and when I feel steady, I head out to the lounge.
“Morning, Francine.” I’m proud of how calm I sound, when inside I’m quaking with so many churning emotions. “You sound chirpy today.”
“Good morning. Iamfeeling…chirpy, as you put it. Tommaso is arriving today for a longer visit. As you know, he only stayed briefly last time to attend Rio’s wedding.”
And mine. I bite back a grin. She is so very focused on her family, but clearly, I haven’t yet been accepted in her mind as part of that elite clique.
“That’s exciting for you, Francine.”
I take a seat at the breakfast table, pleased to see toast as part of the offering this morning. I can manage toast. I think.
“It is.” She shoots me a big genuine-looking smile, and the sight is so unexpected on her usually dour face I almost laugh. “He manages the Philadelphia arm of the business for Rio, and I don’t see him as often as I’d like.”
Her smile disappears as quickly as it came. “You will have to eat today, my dear. Rio stayed in the city last night, preparing for something this evening. He has requested you attend him at his club later, so you will need proper sustenance today.”
“Do you know what it is he has planned? What he wants me there for?”
Francine’s expression doesn’t change. “I don’t ask the details, dear. But it will be late, I believe. And you will need to dress up. I will be back later to help you, if you need it.”
A surge of gratitude passes through me, and with it, sadness for the woman before me. The question blurts out of me without thought. “Don’t you ever wantmorethan simply being Rio’s housekeeper, Francine? Do you have your own home, and interests, and…well, life? Could you not move to Philly to be closer to Tommaso?”
I trail off at the shocked look in her eyes.
“Thisismy home. Rio, his brothers, and sister—I love them all as much as I do my own son. I would do anything for any of them. This is my world, Bianca, and I’m happy in a role where I can be of service.”
She turns to leave, clearly upset.
“I’m sorry,” I call out as she reaches the door. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I just…well, really, I wanted to say thank you for looking after me so well.”
Something softens in her expression. “You are welcome, my dear. I can tell Rio is very taken with you, and that is important to everyone here. I believe, in time, you and he will find true happiness together.”
