Page 63 of A Night, A Consequence, A Vow

Her comparison with him to Maxwell cut to the bone. His nostrils flared. ‘I’m here, Emily,’ he repeated. ‘I haven’t run since the day you told me you were pregnant.’

‘Not physically.’ She stepped forward, pressing her hand against the centre of his chest. ‘But in here...you’re afraid. Afraid to get too close to people in case you hurt them.’

‘You’re talking nonsense,’ he gritted out.

; The look of utter sadness crossing her face sliced a sharp, unbearable pain through his chest. She dropped her hand. ‘I’m in love with you, Ramon,’ she said, and the words robbed his lungs of breath. ‘You’re the father of my baby and you’re a good man. I want to marry you, share a home, raise our child together. But I can’t be with you if you’re going to be emotionally distant, the way you are with your family. I—we—’ she placed her hand over the gentle swell of her belly ‘—deserve better.’

She twisted the diamond and sapphire engagement ring off her left hand.

‘Emily...’

‘I’ve put your things in the spare room. You can stay tonight—or not. Up to you. But I want you to leave tomorrow. Take some time and decide if you’re ready to stop running. Until then—’ she put the ring on the coffee table ‘—I think you should hold onto this.’

CHAPTER TWELVE

SO FAR EMILY had waited five days, and they’d been the longest, most misery-filled days of her life.

She missed Ramon. Every hour. Every minute. Every second of every day.

The weekend had been the worst. The home she usually adored had felt cold and soulless, and even an afternoon of baking had failed to stir any joy.

And now, back in the office, seated at her desk and staring listlessly at her screen, work wasn’t proving the distraction she’d hoped for either.

Her stomach churned with doubt and fear.

She’d taken an enormous risk by confessing her love to her baby’s father then sending him away.

Had she made a terrible mistake?

She hadn’t wanted him to stay away. She’d wanted him to go and take a long, hard look inside himself and then come back to her.

And tell her he loved her.

Because she wouldn’t settle for less. For too many years she had pined for love. She couldn’t waste the rest of her life pining for his. He’d always have a place in their child’s life—she’d never deny her child its father—but she could not marry a man who didn’t love her.

Emily’s phone pinged. Shutting off her thoughts, she delved into her bag and pulled out her phone.

And froze.

Her heart climbed into her throat.

Ramon.

His message was short.

A car is waiting outside for you. See Marsha on your way out.

She frowned at the screen. He’d made her wait five days and these were the words with which he’d chosen to communicate with her first? Hands shaking, she texted back.

It’s 3.30 p.m. on a Monday. I’m working.

His response was immediate.

Finish early.

Heart pounding, she chewed her lip, then forced her thumbs to work again.