The Italian Billionaire's Pregnant Bride

‘You can’t always have what you want.’ Kathy was struggling to control the see sawing thoughts and feelings attacking her in waves. ‘Things have become more complicated than you appreciate.’

‘What things?’ Impatience stamped his lean dark features and his intonation.

His only use for her was sexual, Kathy thought in bitter mortification. But no doubt his ease of conquest had encouraged that attitude and she knew she could not blame him entirely for that. Even so, the base line was that he had the blue-blooded arrogance of wealth and privilege and her criminal conviction made her the lowest of the low in his eyes. That would never, ever change. She wondered why she was holding back on telling him that she was pregnant, for the passage of time would alter nothing. Indeed, she reasoned heavily, breaking the bad news and giving him the chance to come to terms with the idea was probably the more dignified plan of action to follow.

‘I’m pregnant,’ Kathy told him flatly. ‘I did the test at home this morning.’

The silence that fell was bottomless, absolute and endless to her fast fraying nerves.

The instant she spoke, Sergio had veiled his keen dark gaze. His olive skin took on a faint ashen tone that she put down to shock. But that was his sole visible reaction, for his reserve and self-discipline triumphed. ‘A doctor should check out that result,’ he drawled without inflection. ‘I’ll organise it right now.’

Disconcerted by his cold-blooded calm, Kathy gave an uncertain nod of agreement. He was already using the phone and a few minutes later he told her that he had arranged a private medical appointment.

‘If it’s confirmed, have you any idea what you want to do?’ Sergio enquired.

Her tension increased at that warning glimpse of a guy who preferred to solve every problem at speed. ‘I don’t want a termination,’ she said in a taut undertone, feeling that it was only fair to tell him that up front.

‘I wasn’t going to suggest that option.’ Sergio escorted her from the suite.

Lunch, she noted, was no longer on his agenda. In the lift, she said awkwardly, ‘You don’t need to come with me to see the doctor.’

‘We’re in this together.’

‘The doctor can confirm the result. That’s all you need to know at this stage.’

‘I was trying to be supportive.’

Kathy shrugged a narrow shoulder, reluctant to be drawn. She didn’t trust him. She didn’t want to be put under pressure. The very fact that he was being careful not to betray his true feelings about her condition put her on her guard.

‘I’ll see you tonight, then,’ Sergio conceded.

‘I’d like a few days to think over all this.’

‘How many days?’

As the uneasy silence thundered Sergio closed a hand over hers. ‘Kathy…’ he prompted.

‘I’ll phone you.’ She tugged her fingers free from his, setting a boundary as much for her own benefit as for his. Although he did not voice his dissatisfaction the atmosphere had acquired a distinct chill.

Little more than an hour later, the smoothly spoken middle-aged gynaecologist confirmed that she was pregnant and warned her that she was underweight. A nurse gave her a sheaf of advisory leaflets. There and then, the new life Kathy carried within her began to seem rather more real to her. Back at the advertising agency she tried not to seem conscious of the curious looks she was receiving and the sudden silences when she passed by. Quite deliberately, she stayed late to make up the time she had missed over lunch.

The following morning when she arrived at work a colourful weekly gossip magazine was lying on her chair. Carefully folded open at the relevant page, it showed Sergio emerging from a New York nightclub with a famous young film actress clinging to him for support. A voluptuous blonde, Christabel Janson was reportedly very taken with her latest lover. Her throat so tight that it ached and her mood plummeting, Kathy forced a smile onto her lips that felt like concrete and dropped the magazine into the bin. Well, that was that. Someone had done her a favour in drawing that picture to her attention. It had certainly nipped any foo

lish expectations or romantic fancies in the bud. She might be expecting Sergio Torrente’s child, but that really was the sum total of any continuing relationship that they now had.

That evening when Kathy took her break at the café, she told Bridget everything.

During that confessional, Bridget made several brusque comments about Sergio and gave the younger woman a reassuring hug. ‘Falling pregnant is not the end of the world, so stop talking as though it is—’

Kathy gulped. ‘I’m terrified—’

‘It’s the shock. Not to mention the fright Sergio Torrente gave you when he assumed that you had stolen his watch,’ Bridget muttered tight-mouthed. ‘When I think of what you’ve already gone through, his attitude makes my blood boil.’

‘At least he was honest,’ Kathy muttered heavily. ‘But I hate him for it. How fair is that?’

‘Forget about him. I’m more concerned about you.’

‘Why am I crying all the time?’ Kathy lamented, hauling out a tissue to mop at her overflowing eyes.