The Italian's Unexpected Heir

She gave a firm shake of her head. “I have to start a new life for myself and the baby. It’s better this way.”

If she were to stay here, she didn’t think she’d ever be able to get over Enzo. He’d always be around. They’d be bumping into each other at every turn. And a one-way love—it just wasn’t enough for her.

Even though her parents’ love had burned bright and quickly, it was something genuine—something so strong that her mother held on to the memories of that love until her last breath. If Sylvie was going to risk her heart to another, she wanted a strong, passionate love like theirs had been.

“I... I understand.” Though the tone of his voice seemed to say the opposite. “I’ll take care of the rent—”

“No, Enzo. I told you I’ll take care of myself.”

“But that’s my baby you’re carrying.”

“It’s mine, too, and I’ll make sure we’re taken care of.”

He turned to her and frowned. “Why are you being so stubborn?”

Her mouth gaped. It took her a moment to gather herself, but that didn’t stop her from glaring at him. “I’m not.”

“All I’m trying to do is my part as far as the baby is concerned, but you won’t let me. If you think I’m not going to support my own child and not be there as much as possible, you’re very wrong.”

“I would never stop you from being there for our child. I... I just need to do this transition on my own.” She needed to prove to herself that she could do this because being a single mother scared her. She remembered how hard her mother had worked to provide for her, and she worried that she wouldn’t be able to give her son or daughter as good a life as her mother had given her.

“But that’s the thing. You don’t have to do it alone—you don’t have to do any of this alone. Marry me.”

What had he said?

Her gaze searched his to see if it was some sort of joke. But the look on Enzo’s face said he was perfectly serious. He wanted to marry her.

She needed to hear that he loved her as much as she loved him. She wouldn’t accept anything less. Then she would make a home with him—have a family with him.

“Why?” she asked.

“Why what? Why get married?” When she nodded, he visibly swallowed. He wasn’t comfortable with this conversation. That was her first warning. He cleared his throat. “We’re having a baby. Isn’t that reason enough?”

No, it wasn’t reason enough. Not even close to it. There was so much more to a marriage than children. And if their union wasn’t founded in love, how were they ever to make it through the storms life threw their way? Their marriage would get blown off course and flounder.

He approached her. His gaze beseeched hers. “Sylvie, marry me.”

With strength she didn’t know she possessed, she said, “No.”

Before her pregnancy hormones realized what she’d just done and sent her into a fit of tears, she stepped around him. With her head held high, she headed for the door. Inside, her facade was starting to melt. It was a good thing she’d already arranged for a ride into the city because if she stayed here any longer, she might change her mind. And that wouldn’t be good for any of them—including the baby.

Goodbye.

She didn’t say the word. She didn’t trust her voice as there was a giant lump in her throat. Instead, she blinked back the tears and kept walking.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

NO.

One single syllable. Two tiny letters.

Combined, they had the power to deeply pierce his scarred heart.

Enzo stumbled as he made his way to the kitchen. He walked blindly as all his resources were focused on reviewing exactly what had gone wrong with their conversation. It shouldn’t have gone so far off the tracks. He’d gone over it word for word while out in the fields. He’d been certain Sylvie would see that marrying him was the best option. She loved the estate and had been happy here. At least, that was what he’d thought. If she would have agreed to marry him, they’d have lived happily ever after right here in this very house.

But when he’d rushed back to the villa to share news that the fire had been defeated, all those well-planned, well-chosen words had gone straight out of his head. At first, he’d been caught up in the beautiful sight of her. It was in that moment he realized just how much he’d missed her. He’d missed talking to her, listening to the lilt of her voice and her laughter, it was contagious.

But today had been different. She’d been different. He’d noticed the stubborn jut of her chin and the pain in her eyes. He should have realized it wasn’t going to be so easy to rectify the past. But he’d been so wound up, so ready to profess his well-planned words.