‘But if we resume living together it will delay our divorce,’ she said with a worried frown. ‘We’ve been separated for two months. If we live together it will mean we’ll have to start from scratch.’
‘I realise that, but it cannot be avoided,’ he said. ‘The boys must be put first over our desire for a divorce.’ His eyes probed hers for another lengthy moment. ‘Or are you in a particular hurry to process it in order to marry someone else?’
Keira lowered her gaze to her hands in her lap, surprised to see a tiny smear of blood where one of her rough-edged nails had broken the skin. She hadn’t felt a thing; the pain she was currently feeling was from much deeper inside. ‘No,’ she said. ‘There’s no one else.’
‘Fine,’ he said. ‘That means we can get going on this without delay.’
Keira sat in silence, still twisting her hands and worrying her bottom lip with her teeth.
‘Do not worry about your parents,’ he said after a little pause.
She looked up at him and frowned. ‘You’ve already discussed this with them?’
‘No,’ he said. ‘But I am well aware of your strained relationship with them.’
Keira couldn’t help the rush of feeling that surged through her at his softened tone. He had always understood her difficulties relating to her strait-laced and conservative parents, and had often protected her from their criticism in the past. That had been one of the things she had missed most about him. He had been her defender, her rock and fortress. She had felt so alone without him in her life—so achingly and desperately alone.
‘Of course, while we are involved in this charade, it goes without saying that any involvement with other parties must immediately cease,’ he said.
Keira shifted her gaze again. ‘I’m not involved with anyone.’
‘Good,’ he said. ‘I am between relationships as well so the timing is perfect.’
Keira had seen a photograph in the press of his new lover. Gisela Hunter was the total opposite of her—a tall platinum blonde-haired beauty, with rail-thin arms and legs and the sort of smile the cost of which must have put a Ferrari in some top-notch orthodontist’s garage.
She fought down her jealousy and reminded herself that she had no one but herself to blame. She had jumped to conclusions and, in her normal impulsive way, had acted on a suspicion that in the end had proved to be incorrect.
‘I understand that you are currently working part-time at a café,’ he said.
She brought her eyes back to his. ‘Yes. It helps to pay my rent and for my painting materials.’
‘You will give the café proprietor your notice immediately,’ he said. ‘I will pay you a wage for the duration of our mock reconciliation.’
‘You don’t have to do that…’
‘No, but I will do it all the same. I cannot have people wondering why you are slaving over a coffee machine when your husband is a multi-millionaire.’
She looked down at her hands again, knowing it would be pointless refusing. He wouldn’t take no for an answer and, besides, she needed money; her rent was already two weeks in arrears. ‘All right…’ she said, ‘if you insist.’
She heard the creak of leather as he leaned forward in his chair and she looked up to meet his eyes, her stomach giving a little shuffling movement at the dark intensity she could see reflected there.
‘This is not about us, Keira,’ he said. ‘It is about two young boys on the threshold of adulthood who are jeopardising their futures with unnecessary bitterness.’
Her tongue moved over the dryness of her lips again. ‘I understand…’
‘Good,’ he said. ‘Then you will also understand the urgency of making an announcement to the press.’ He picked up his mobile from his desk and, scrolling through, pressed the name that came up on the dial.
She listened as he informed the journalist at the other end that, as of tonight, Keira and Patrizio Trelini had cancelled their acrimonious divorce proceedings and were resuming their relationship.
Indefinitely…
CHAPTER TWO
PATRIZIO put the phone back down and faced her. ‘How soon can you move back into my place?’
Her stomach tilted again. ‘Um…’
‘Would it help if I sent Marietta over to pack your things?’