Tears clogged Ava’s throat. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘Don’t apologise. What I did was wrong. I pushed you away. I have no right to be, but I’m glad you’re here.’
She left in a less sad mood than she’d arrived in.
Cesare might not love her but he cared about her enough to want her to return. Her heart tightened in pain at the thought that he might never love her as much as she loved him but whatever he felt for her...it was enough.
The drive to London took just over two hours and, all through the consultation, Ava told herself she was doing the right thing.
When the doctor finished talking through the procedure, she took a deep breath and signed the papers.
‘How long will it be before I can go home?’
‘If everything goes according to plan, you should be able to leave us in the morning.’
She could be back in Italy by nightfall tomorrow. The thought of seeing Cesare and Annabelle again sent a soft sigh of happiness through her.
Her phone pinged and she realised she’d never got round to listening to Cesare’s messages the night before.
She scrolled through and pressed the first one.
When the nurse appeared to prep her for her procedure, she was stunned by the look on her patient’s face.
* * *
Cesare cursed the traffic leading up into Regent Street, and resisted the urge to lean on his horn. Instead he made do with a string of coarse expletives as his heart lurched at what lay ahead of him.
What had she done? Santa Maria, what had his Ava done?
He’d already been on his way to the airport when Celine had rung in a panic. When he’d learnt exactly what his fiery, reckless, exceedingly breathtaking wife was planning, Cesare’s blood ran cold.
Even as he sat here, uselessly inching his way forward in the godforsaken traffic, he could barely fathom it.
He gave into the urge and leaned on the horn. Rude gestures greeted his action, but he kept his hand in place until the driver in front crept forward enough for him to squeeze through.
Ten excruciatingly long minutes later, he slammed on the brakes and sprinted into the reception of the Harley Street practice.
When he announced himself, the receptionist’s eyes widened.
‘What room is my wife in?’ he barked.
With a shaky finger, she pointed down the hall.
Cesare had never known such fear in his life as he skidded towards the door.
Dio, please let him not be too late.
Inside, Ava sat on the bed, her lovely hair tucked under a gruesomely ugly surgical hat. Her face was pale, but she wore the widest smile he’d ever seen as she pressed the button on her phone.
She hadn’t seen him yet, her focus firmly on the phone. Cesare’s breath caught as his voice echoed around the sterile room.
Ava, I know I’ve wronged you in the most hurtful way. But I am only mortal, cara, and this mortal loves you more than the fates will ever give me time on this earth to express. I promise to spend the rest of my life making amends, to giving you the family you’ve never had, if you let me. I will also let you go if that is what you ask of me. But please let me know you are safe, amore mio. I beg you.
‘I can say it again in person, if you prefer.’
Her head jerked towards him, her stunningly gorgeous green eyes locking on his. Her smile slammed into his heart and he stopped breathing.
‘Cesare, what are you doing here?’
Dio, he loved this woman. Loved her with a power that made his world tilt on its axis every time he looked at her.
‘What am I doing here? Shouldn’t I be asking you that? What the hell are you thinking, doing this to me?’
Despite her smile, her eyes rolled. ‘I knew it was only a matter of time before it all became about you.’
She held out a hand to him. He swallowed and sent a silent prayer of thanks.
On seriously shaky legs, he approached the bed and took her hand. Warmth flowed from her. With another sigh of relief, he raised her hand to his mouth.
‘Tell me you haven’t gone through with the procedure—?’
‘Not yet—’
‘Not ever!’ Several emotions coursed through him. He tried to keep it under control but they continued to shake right through him. ‘Ava, why in God’s name would you do this?’
‘For the same reason you’ve been trying to find a way for us to be together. Last week in Rome before Celine called, what were you really going to talk to me about?’
‘I was going to tell you there would be no divorce. I had no immediate solution but I was willing to do whatever it took to keep you and Annabelle in my life.’