Donovan attended his meeting with the A and R department later that afternoon, then called it a day. He was anxious to get home to his girls. The delicious scent of food hit his nose as soon as he entered the house through the garage and made his stomach growl. He smiled and waited for the familiar footsteps.
The seconds ticked off, and his smile faded. He walked through the quiet house. It had taken him less than a day to get accustomed to not being alone, and the sounds were noticeably absent.
He climbed the stairs and called out to Simona, but got no answer. The pace of his heart accelerated when he found several things missing from the room Yasmine was using. Donovan burst into his bedroom and snatched open dresser drawers and the closet and found Simona’s things gone. Dread settled in his belly, and he sprinted back downstairs to the kitchen. On his way to the garage, a sheet of paper on the refrigerator that he hadn’t noticed before caught his attention. He removed it and read:
Donovan, I can’t take it anymore and I apologize for the stress this has caused you on your job. I think it would be better for both of us if I left, so you can get on with your life. Please forgive me for bringing my past to your doorstep. Yasmine and I will be fine, and know that I will always love you.
Simona
He let out a frustrated growl, then braced his hands on the counter and bowed his head. He’d thought they were good. Pain settled in his chest and swelled to massive proportions in a matter of seconds. “I can’t let her go. I have to find her.”
He slammed his hand on the counter and whipped out his phone. His call to Simona’s cell immediately went to voicemail, and the one to her home went unanswered. He tried her grandmother, but Nana hadn’t heard from her, either. Where could she be?
No matter where she had gone, he was going to find her and bring her back where she belonged...with him.
* * *
“Believe me, Eve,” Simona said as she added more clothes to the suitcase, “I’ve thought about everything you’re saying, but I just can’t do this anymore. And Donovan...” She dropped down on the bed and swiped at a tear. “He’s been so amazing through all this, but I see what it’s doing to him—the way he’s had to fight the media, the stress it’s putting on his job—I can’t do this to him. Didn’t you see the latest headline that said Donovan and I were trying to pass the baby off as Travis’s to extort money?” It had been hard to leave Donovan’s house, but sitting in her bedroom now, Simona felt she had made the right decision.
Eve sighed. “Yes, I saw it. But Simona, honey, Donovan loves you, and I’m sure he’s more concerned with your stress level. You don’t have to leave. You know that paternity test is going to come back negative. From what I can see, Donovan must be doing something, because I saw a retraction printed in that first tabloid and I’m sure the others will follow.”
“And in the meantime, his spotless reputation is being dragged through the mud.” She stood, zipped the suitcase and took it out to the car. Eve was sitting on the couch when she returned. “I think that about does it. I really appreciate you letting me stay at your house.”
“I told you before, you’re welcome to use it for as long as you need. I already called my caretaker, and she’ll be waiting for you. Call me and let me know you arrived safely.” Eve bounced Yasmine in her arms. “Auntie Eve is going to miss you, baby cakes.” She kissed and hugged Yasmine.
Simona did one more walk-through to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything. Satisfied, she locked up. She strapped Yasmine into her car seat and faced Eve. “Well, this is it.” She handed her the house keys.
Eve had tears in her eyes. “I’m going to miss you. I’ll make sure the house is taken care of until you come back. And I know you will.” She gave Simona a strong hug. “Be safe, and don’t forget to call me.”
Wiping her tears, Simona said, “I won’t.” They shared another emotional hug and parted. Minutes later she was on Interstate 5 heading south to San Diego.
She missed Donovan already, and several times during the drive the tears started again. She had to pull over once because she was crying so hard she couldn’t see the road. Fortunately, Yasmine slept most of the way.
Two and a half hours later, she parked in the driveway of a house on a corner lot with a wide covered porch holding a cushioned loveseat and two matching chairs with a small table between them. She blew out a long breath and felt some of the tension start to drain.