AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I sighed. “Look, it’s simple. You tried to kiss me, I pushed you off, and that was that. Forgotten. Done. But my business with Francesca is between me and her alone. Now, I’ll thank you not to say another word about the mother of my child, all right?”
Imogene swallowed visibly. She really was a pretty girl. Nice enough, too. I could admit that, at least. But not at all my type, which was a small basket of curves that spoke frankly with a faint Bronx accent.
Imogene would make some bloke happy enough one day. It just wouldn’t ever be me.
“Oh—okay, yes. All right.” She stood. “If there’s anything I can do—”
“I’ll let you know,” I told her. “The service will be in two weeks, in case you want to come.”
She nodded. “Yes, of course. I’m sure Mummy and Papa will let me know the details. Xavier, I’m so very sorry for your loss.”
I nodded. “I appreciate it.”
And I did. But it wasn’t her kind wishes or words or anything else I wanted right now. It was the woman who was currently five thousand miles away and wanted nothing to do with me anymore.
My God, what I wouldn’t give to see her sweet smile right now. To feel those deft fingers on my temples, neck, and shoulder. To feel her lush curves under my own touch.
Francesca really was more than a beauty. She was a refuge. And I’d burned down the whole thing.
Imogene left, and I stared at the email for a long time.
It was the first I’d heard from her in a long time. We sent texts here and there, usually just updates about Sofia or, on my part, requests to FaceTime my daughter. She was growing so bloody much. Could already pronounce herr’s andl’s perfectly. I was missing it all.
From my perspective, then, an email was more than just a check-in. It could only mean one thing: something bad.
“Man up, Sato,” I told myself. “It’s just a fucking letter.”
Still, I waited. Until, finally, I couldn’t take it anymore and opened the email…to find nothing.
No note. No “Dear Xavier” or any kind of signature. There was only an attachment, which I quickly downloaded and opened to reveal a photograph of a handwritten letter.
Messy and drafted on a wrinkled sheet of lined yellow paper, it looked like it had been crinkled up and tossed more than once before she’d finally got the nerve to take the picture and send it herself.
Very strange. Not that I didn’t like looking at Francesca’s elegant handwriting that looked somewhere between script and print. But it wasn’t exactly a normal way to communicate.
I squinted, then expanded the screen so I could read the words properly.
Xavi—
Elsie called this morning to let us know about Henry. Please accept our deepest condolences from me and Sofia. She misses you very much but understands this is a terrible time. I did not have the privilege of knowing the man well myself, but I know you cared for him, and so he must have had a lot of something good to merit that.
I am so, so sorry for your loss.
I’m also sorry to have to complicate your life even more right now. But unfortunately, this can’t wait. Because I refuse to repeat the same mistakes. You deserved better then, and you deserve better now.
You were right. I’m not the same girl you met five years ago. I can’t be. It’s why I left London. It’s why I came home to New York. It’s why I wouldn’t stay to fight. It’s also why I won’t run from the truth anymore, even when it’s hard.
So, here goes. The truth. Do with it what you like. Or nothing at all. I honestly don’t expect anything, but you need to know, from the beginning, this time.
Xavi, I’m pregnant.
If you want, you can
I don’t expect anything, but
Next time you’re in New York,
Nope, that’s it. I’m pregnant. I’m keeping it because if there is one thing in the world I know I can be, it’s a good mom. At least this time, I have a bit of practice.
