Married for His Secret Heir

His gaze searched hers. “You’re sure?”

“Yes. I just saw the doctor last week for confirmation.”

“Does he know? The guy in the photo?”

“Why would Steven know?”

“I would assume you’d tell the father, even if he’s a total loser.”

“I thought you believed me when I said it was only a kiss.”

He shrugged. “People make mistakes. I thought maybe you were too embarrassed to admit it.”

“First of all, he’s not the father. Second, the baby’s father is far from a loser. And lastly, I am telling him. Right now.”

Luca’s eyes momentarily widened. His lips pressed together into a firm line as the color drained from his face.

She’d never witnessed him speechless. He always had a quick comeback or a thoughtful comment. There was always something...until now.

The longer the silence dragged on, the more nervous she became. She had to do something, but what?

She knew this announcement was the last thing he’d expected to hear from her. “This was as much of a surprise for me as it is for you.”

He shook his head as though he couldn’t process it. He turned away and started walking—walking away from her. Just like he’d done in Paris. She’d let him go that time, but more than her broken heart was on the line this time.

She took off after him. “Luca, I know this is a shock. But we have to talk.”

He stopped an

d faced her. The shocked look on his face told her just how caught off guard he was by this information. “Talk? Don’t you think I deserve some time to absorb this information? After all, you’ve had how long?”

“A week or so. And I’m sorry I’m pushing this, but once the paparazzi finds out I’m pregnant, it’s going to be a mess.”

“Which won’t be long, considering they’re camping outside the palace gates.” Luca turned and started walking again.

She walked with him. She hated having to push him, but the press was so close now. They were breathing down her neck—waiting for the next big headline. It was imperative that she and Luca do whatever they could to protect their child from scandal.

There was still so much to decide where the child was concerned. Would her child grow up here in Mirraccino? Doubtful. The only reason her parents lived on these amazing and sprawling grounds was because of her father’s special affiliation with the king. If she wanted to move back to Mirraccino, she’d end up with an apartment in the city. Bellacitta was a thriving city that was a mix of old traditions and new technology. It certainly would be an interesting atmosphere to raise a child.

But she couldn’t give up her future in Paris. If she remained there, her son or daughter would have the privilege of growing up in a city full of history, culture and endless ways to expand a young imagination. Luca could visit, or when she had time off, she could take their child to him. It would work out somehow.

But Luca wasn’t helping her find any of those answers. She needed him to say something, or at least acknowledge what she’d told him.

She reached out, grabbing his arm. “Please, Luca, talk to me.”

He stopped and faced her. “What do you want from me?”

“I don’t know. I guess just to talk to me. Maybe to say that everything will be okay.”

“Okay?” He ran his hand over the top of his hair, scattering the short, dark spikes. And then he expelled an audible sigh. “Just tell me one thing. Is it really my baby?”

Ouch! His question dug straight into her heart. Not so long ago, they’d accepted each other’s words as fact without having to question. Obviously things had changed more than she’d ever imagined.

“I swear on my life that this baby is yours and mine. I didn’t come to you expecting anything. I have enough of my own money to take care of the two of us. I just wanted you to know. It was the right thing to do.”

“Then I would say, no, things aren’t going to be all right. Those reporters at the palace gate, they are waiting for you and it has nothing to do with your work.”

Elena’s gaze lowered, and she shook her head. “They’ll want some comment about the photo. But I didn’t do anything they said. I went on a few dates with Steven. That’s it. He told me he was divorced and lonely.”