Innocent Wife, Baby of Shame

‘No, of course not.’

‘Are you sure?’

Marietta put her hands on her generous hips. ‘Listen, Signor Trelini, I might think you were a fool for not giving Signora Trelini a second chance but meddling in other people’s marriages is not my preferred choice of hobby.’

‘Thank you, Marietta,’ Patrizio said. ‘That will be all for now.’

Marietta smiled at Keira as she left the room.

Patrizio waited until the housekeeper had gone before he asked, ‘Do you believe her?’

‘I have no reason not to,’ she answered. ‘If she said she didn’t do it, she didn’t.’

‘Maybe she has forgotten.’

Keira turned away at his words, her mouth pulled tight. ‘Yes, maybe she has.’

Patrizio came over to her and touched her on the shoulder. ‘That was crass of me. I am sorry.’

She turned around and faced him. ‘This is never going to work, is it? You and me and our history. It’s going to ruin the baby’s life, growing up with you throwing asides at me all the time. You have to let it go or let me go. Make your choice.’

He ran his hands down the length of her arms to encircle both of her wrists. ‘Keira, there’s something I want to say to you before my sister and nephew arrive. I have wanted to say it for days.’

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sp; Keira held her breath, her heart beginning to thump inside her chest wall. The earnestness in his dark gaze made her wonder if he had changed his mind about her. ‘What is it?’ she asked, her voice so soft it came out more like a breathless whisper.

The doorbell sounded and Patrizio rolled his eyes in frustration. ‘Why is it that my wife is always late and my sister is always early?’ He put her from him with a rueful smile. ‘We will have to have this talk later, after they have left.’

Marietta came bustling in with Gina and Bruno. ‘Signor Trelini, your sister and nephew are here,’ she said with a smile.

‘Thank you, Marietta.’

‘Hello, Keira,’ Gina said, rushing over to kiss Keira on both cheeks. ‘It is truly wonderful to see you. I am so pleased you and Patrizio have withdrawn the petition for a divorce.’

‘Thank you, Gina. It’s lovely to see you too.’

‘It’s great news about your pregnancy,’ Gina said. ‘How are you feeling?’

Keira did her best to ignore the slight twinge of pain deep and low in her abdomen. ‘I’m a bit tired but that’s to be expected.’

‘Bruno, say hello to your aunt,’ Gina prompted.

Bruno stepped forward, his expression more than a little sheepish. ‘Hello, Keira,’ he said, shuffling from foot to foot.

‘It’s all right,’ she said in an undertone as Gina moved across the room to take a drink off her brother. ‘Jamie told me what was going on.’

‘I’m sorry if I overplayed it a bit,’ Bruno said. ‘I wanted to make sure my uncle believed it was real.’

‘You were very convincing,’ she said. ‘But I meant what I said that night we went out for a meal. We all make mistakes in life and the one I made is one I will always regret.’

‘Uncle Patrizio has forgiven you so that is all that matters,’ he said. ‘I am prepared to do the same.’

‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘I really appreciate it, Bruno.’

Patrizio raised his glass in a toast as he came to join them. ‘To the end of the academic year,’ he said.

Keira reached for her glass where she had placed it on the coffee table but she crumpled to the floor when a lightning bolt of pain ripped through her belly.