It had been a stone-cold business decision, nothing more. His priorities were strength and profit, like always. He hadn’t changed. He was his own man. He made his own fate.
Hana would sign the post-nup tonight, and tomorrow he’d fly off to New York. For the foreseeable future, he would be so busy building his empire that their only connection would be in bed, or to discuss matters regarding their child’s welfare. He’d give his wife free rein at home and she’d have no complaints.
Grabbing a glass of scotch, he drank it down in a single gulp and deposited the empty glass on a passing tray. He saw his wife speaking to some French aerospace executives he recognized. As he approached, he heard the executives eagerly telling Hana about their latest technology. She responded with sharp, incisive questions that made the other men laugh, with admiring glances. Coming from behind, Antonio kissed her softly on the temple.
Hana turned to look at him. “Where have you been?”
“Investing in avionics,” he said lightly.
“We’d heard about your wife,” one of the executives told him jovially, smiling at Hana. “But the rumors didn’t do her justice. It’s a pleasure, madame.”
She grinned. “Just remember that when we discuss that discount for our next order.”
“You drive a hard bargain.”
She was obviously still representing herself as a leader in his company. Repressing his irritation, Antonio gave the executives a bland smile. “Will you excuse me, gentlemen? My wife and I are supposed to lead the first dance.”
As he led Hana onto the dance floor of the palacio’s ballroom, a hush fell across the crowd. At his sign, music began to play from the orchestra. Pulling her into his arms, Antonio held her against his tuxedo-clad body, the two of them alone beneath a spotlight on the ballroom dance floor.
Her arms in long white gloves wrapped around the shoulders of his black jacket, as the skirts of her blue ball gown fluttered against his legs. Her baby bump pressed against his muscled belly as his hands went to the small of her back. He felt her sway. Her brown eyes glowed with warmth, and her diamond tiara and jeweled necklace sparkled with fire beneath the chandeliers high above.
Hana was so beautiful. His hands tightened on her back. In this moment, in spite of all his promises to himself to be his own man and make his own fate, all he could feel was her.
Right here, in his arms, Hana was everything he’d ever wanted.
* * *
I love you. Just three little words. Why were they so hard for her to say?
As Hana swayed in her husband’s arms, beneath the ballroom spotlight, as she looked up into his dark, unfathomable gaze as the orchestra’s music swelled around them, telling him she loved him wasn’t just hard—it was impossible.
All too soon, other guests joined them on the dance floor, bumping up against them, watching them, smiling at them—and the moment was lost.
She had to tell him. It was her only way to change the course of their lives. She had to be brave enough to finally speak words she could never take back.
Either Antonio would realize he loved her as well, and they could be happy...or else he’d tell her he couldn’t. And they wouldn’t.
The stakes were so high, it terrified her.
She couldn’t say the words.
Hours later, when the ball finally ended and the last guest departed in the wee hours of the morning, Antonio turned to her with a smile. “Are you pleased?”
“Pleased?” she repeated, searching his gaze.
“You did a good job, Hana.” He tilted his head. “You raised a lot of money tonight for charity, and gained goodwill and good press for CrossWorld.” He paused. “Perhaps you could continue running the kids’ charity. From home.”
“I suppose.” It had been a long day. They’d already told the house staff to go to bed. Tomorrow would be soon enough to tidy up.
Hana felt weary as she looked at Antonio in the darkened ballroom. The sweet smell of wilting flowers wafted around them as candles flickered to an end. She asked in a low voice, “Why don’t you want me in the company anymore?”
Antonio hesitated. “You know why.”
“Why?”
“Because I want you to have the freedom to be home. Taking care of our baby.”
“But there’s more to it than that, I know there is—”